Solar Energy in Champaign County, IL (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Champaign County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Champaign County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.
Panel Permits
Roof-mounted solar arrays need no zoning permit in unincorporated Champaign County. Ground-mounted PV arrays under one megawatt qualify as accessory structures and must meet the standard yard setbacks, plus screening if the array exceeds 1,000 square feet.
Champaign County Solar Panel Permit Rules
Light RestrictionsChampaign County Zoning Ordinance Section 7.8
SECTION 7.8 ACCESSORY PV SOLAR ARRAY A. A PV SOLAR ARRAY with an output of less than one megawatt shall be permitted as an ACCESSORY STRUCTURE subject to the following standards: 1. An accessory ground-mounted PV SOLAR ARRAY with less than one megawatt on contiguous lots under common ownership shall require compliance with minimum zoning requirements in Section 7.2 YARDS for DETACHED ACCESSORY ...
HOA Restrictions
Illinois law protects solar in HOA neighborhoods. The Homeowners' Energy Policy Statement Act bars a Champaign County association from adopting any rule that prohibits, or effectively prohibits, installing a solar energy system.
Champaign County Solar HOA Rules
Few Restrictions765 ILCS 165/15
the adoption of a bylaw or exercise of any power by the governing entity of a homeowners' association, common interest community association, or condominium unit owners' association which prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of a solar energy system is expressly prohibited.
All Champaign County ordinances
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