Grayslake to accept recognition for solar power efforts

At their meeting Tuesday night, Grayslake village board members will accept a designation from SolSmart, a national organization that recognizes communities that have made it easier for businesses and residents to access solar energy.

In the past two years, 73 solar panel installations have been permitted in Grayslake. That number includes solar field projects at buildings in Grayslake High School District 127 and Grayslake School District 46.

Grayslake Assistant Village Manager Brett Kryska said to make the process of installing solar panels easier, the village created an online checklist of resources residents need when completing a solar project. Building and Zoning Department staff members received training in best practices in solar planning and zoning, and the staff conducted a review of the village's solar panel permitting process, Kryska said.

"The goal of village staff is to work with all residential and commercial customers that are interested in solar energy," Kryska said. "The items that were completed for the SolSmart award allow us to be more helpful and efficient in this area."

Kryska said the village continues to investigate the use of solar panels on village facilities as well as the potential for adding solar panel fields to village land.

The village will be receiving a bronze level recognition. The village will become the ninth community in Lake County to receive a recognition from SolSmart, a national program led by the International City/County Management Association and the Solar Foundation to encourage local governments to encourage solar development.

Other municipalities with bronze-level recognition in Lake County are Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville and Round Lake Beach. Deer Park and Hawthorn Woods have received the silver-level designation, and both Waukegan and Beach Park have received gold.