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Peoria County details how it inspects large solar installations
Summary
Peoria County Communications staffer Gretchen explains that county planning and zoning conducts visual inspections of large, privately developed solar sites to check maintenance (grass, fences, broken panels, emergency contact signs), that they do not test electrical equipment, and that findings are forwarded to the solar businesses to remedy.
Gretchen, a communications staffer for Peoria County, said the county's planning and zoning team conducts follow-up inspections of large solar installations to verify maintenance and compliance with permit conditions and the county ordinance. "They're looking to see if the property is being maintained with a visual inspection," she said, listing checks such as grass cutting, locked fencing, visibly broken panels and the presence of an emergency contact sign.
She clarified that planning and zoning inspectors do not test or touch solar panels or on-site electrical equipment; those systems were inspected by building inspectors during the initial permitting and electrical review. Gretchen also emphasized that the solar fields are privately developed under contracts between landowners and solar companies, and that planning and zoning's role is limited to permitting and ordinance enforcement. She said the department typically follows up after receiving complaints but conducted a countywide review when multiple complaints arose. Findings from inspections are forwarded to the responsible solar businesses for remedy. For the ordinances the department enforces, see Peoria County's website at peoriacounty.gov.
