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HB 5049

LOC GOV-RESIDENTIAL ENERGY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Ann Williams

Prohibits counties and municipalities from regulating or inspecting installation of residential energy backup systems (up to 50 kW/200 kWh), accelerating storage deployment.

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Bill Summary · HB 5049

HB5049 — Residential Storage Act (Illinois, 104th General Assembly)

Main purpose and intent

  • Establishes a framework to facilitate the deployment of residential energy storage and related solar energy systems while limiting local regulatory barriers.
  • Specifically aims to prohibit counties and municipalities from enacting or enforcing ordinances that regulate the installation or inspection of residential energy backup systems.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions and scope ( Counties Code and Municipal Code)

  • Introduces and clarifies terms related to residential solar and storage:
    • "Low-voltage solar-powered device": solar-powered devices (e.g., doorbells, security systems, lighting) under 150 volts, located entirely on a single property or within a common area but not permanently attached to common property.
    • "Residential energy backup system": a backup system at a residential property capable of supplying up to 50 kilowatts of electricity or with storage capacity up to 200 kilowatt-hours; includes all associated hardware and interconnection components.
    • "Solar collector": broad definition including devices for converting solar energy to electricity or heat, or transferring energy.
    • "Solar energy system" and "Solar storage mechanism": definitions covering the complete system and storage components (batteries, piping, heat exchangers, etc.).

Applicability and built environment ( Counties Code, illinois Municipal Code)

  • Defines "shared roof" as a roof serving more than one unit or part of common elements.
  • General applicability:
    • The act does not apply to buildings taller than 60 feet or to buildings with a shared roof, except as noted below.
    • For buildings with shared roofs, the act applies if:
    • The solar energy system is located entirely within the portion of the shared roof owned/maintained by a property owner;
    • All property owners sharing the shared roof agree to install a solar energy system; or
    • The division applies to low-voltage devices (as applicable).
  • For buildings with dedicated electrical connections/meters (including those with shared roofs), Section 5-46030/11-15.5-30 provisions apply separately.

Prohibition on local regulation of residential energy backup systems

  • Notwithstanding other laws, counties and municipalities may not adopt or enforce ordinances or rules that regulate the installation or inspection of residential energy backup systems.

Effective date

  • The act takes effect June 1, 2026.

Who/what would be affected

  • Local governments (counties and municipalities) are limited in how they regulate residential energy backup systems and related solar storage installations.
  • Property owners and developers seeking to install residential energy backup systems (up to 50 kW or 200 kWh storage) and related solar storage equipment.
  • Buildings with shared roofs (and the associated unit/owners sharing such roofs) in terms of applicability, subject to the shared roof criteria.
  • The bill provides consistent standards for definitions used in both the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Enactment timeline: Effective June 1, 2026.
  • The act includes amendments to existing Sections of the Counties Code (5-46005, 5-46025, new 5-46030) and the Illinois Municipal Code (11-15.5-5, 11-15.5-25, new 11-15.5-30) to implement these limitations and definitions.

Notes

  • The bill is introduced by Rep. Ann M. Williams and co-sponsored by the same.
  • Title: LOC GOV-RESIDENTIAL ENERGY; Bill is referred to as the Residential Storage Act.
  • The text emphasizes reliability and cost-effectiveness of energy, grid strengthening, and promoting renewable energy through broader deployment of residential storage, while reducing local regulatory hurdles that could impede such deployment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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