Decorah City Council is being urged to pass zoning law changes which would more explicitly encourage solar panels

The Decorah City Council is being asked to approve language changes in the city's zoning codes which would more explicitly encourage property owners to install solar panels.

The language changes, which affect commercial, residential, manufacturing and health care facilities, would clarify that solar panels are "permitted" uses in those zoning districts.

In addition to lessening confusion about the current zoning code language, the changes are aimed at helping the City of Decorah to earn SolSmart certification from the U.S. Department of Energy, which would help the city to qualify for federal grants.