Mike Zanillo has been spearheading efforts to overturn Kildeer’s ban on rooftop-mounted solar panels. He poses in front of his Heron’s Crossing neighborhood home. (John Starks | Staff Photographer)
In an attempt to stay true to its motto — “A Unique Village in a Natural Setting” — Kildeer is one of the few Illinois municipalities that bans roof-mounted solar panels from residential buildings.
The reason? Village leaders think they’re ugly.
And they don’t think much more of free-standing or ground-mounted solar energy systems, solar farms or solar gardens, all of which are also prohibited in the village.
Residents may install only the generally pricier version of solar energy collection: integrated solar roofs, which are made of solar shingles that blend into a home’s appearance.
Not everyone in the town of 4,000 shares the village’s aversion, however, and several residents are banding together to try to get the regulations changed.
Mike Zanillo, a 29-year Kildeer resident, is leading the charge.
“Because I am active in climate, I know how valuable all the federal and state incentives are now. It’s more beneficial than ever, purely from a cost standpoint. I mean, forget the environment,” Zanillo said. “When I heard we’re maybe chasing away developers and impacting our tax base, I just got the idea that this doesn’t really represent the views of the community. Whether or not you’re pro- or anti-climate, does it just financially make sense nowadays to still have this ban?”
Read more here.
Related: “Lake Barrington considering ban on ground-mounted solar panels”