Alex Dalton

The Porter County Board of Commissioners voted on Tuesday to approve an ordinance that would allow homes and businesses in unincorporated areas to install personal solar energy systems.

The ordinance would allow property owners in all zoning districts collect their own solar energy on site, provided they abide by certain safety and aesthetic rules. The ordinance bans ground-mounted solar arrays from front yards; requires that roof-mounted panels on residential structures project no more than six inches from the roof surface; and mandates that PSES owners mitigate glare from their arrays.

Development & Storm Water Management Director Mike Jabo told the commissioners during Tuesday's meeting that the county already has a list of pending applications for PSES installations.

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