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…
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…
Restrictions on solar-power equipment to certain materials and designs is not unusual for the village, said Chief Village Officer Michael Talbett. The municipality already restricts building materials based on quality and aesthetic concerns, he said. For instance, the village does not permit vinyl siding on its homes…
Golf, a small Cook County community just north of Morton Grove, has a moratorium in place on solar development while it finds “the best fit” for its community, village administrator Michelle Shapiro said.
It sounds like property values are the primary concern here. If certain materials are used on a house in a neighborhood or community with more expensive houses, some fear a threat to values and neighborhood continuity. Americans like to talk about the rights of individual property owners but also are very willing at times to regulate property owners to counter perceived threats and interactions with neighbors (think HOAs, local regulations, etc.)
Do solar panels on the roof mar a house or do they indicate a certain class status? Or, as the article indicates, there are higher-end solar panel options that would satisfy those with aesthetic concerns.
Legally Sociable 