Kane County may allow backyard wind turbines

Kane County is looking at taking advantage of the wind out west with the creation of a new set of regulations that will both permit and oversee the use of small wind turbines to power homes and businesses.

The county created a draft ordinance that will be the subject of public hearings that are yet to be scheduled.

The ordinance promotes the use of wind turbines by home and business owners as a viable, clean source of energy that can help reduce energy demand and maybe even result in some money for those who take advantage of it. Small wind turbines would be allowed in all zoning districts with no special permits required.

In general, the devices are capable of only reducing a home's or businesses' need to purchase power and are less viable in dense urban areas where wind is diminished. Some rooftop turbines, however, can generate energy at wind speeds as low as 2 mph.

The higher a wind turbine stretches into the sky, the better the energy yield. For that reason, the county is considering having no limits on wind turbine tower heights except for aesthetic purposes on lots that are 2 acres or less.

The proposed laws would ban any lighting, extra signage or unusual color schemes on the devices. It would also make any wind turbine that creates excessive noise subject to the county's nuisance laws. All structures would be reviewed by structural and electrical engineers.

Not only can the devices reduce power bills for those who take advantage of them, but ComEd credits customers for any excess power they generate with the devices that flow back into the power grid. There is also a federal tax credit for which wind turbine owners can apply.

Violations of the new ordinance would be monitored primarily through any complaints generated by neighbors.

"I think it's a real exciting thing," county board member Drew Frasz said. Frasz represents a largely rural district where he said he has fielded several calls recently from residents interested in installing windmills. "This is an idea whose time has come."