Village of Mount Prospect, IL
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Getting Started with Solar
Welcome to the Village of Mount Prospect's solar resource page. This webpage represents a collection of solar energy information and resources for the community. For more information about the basics of solar energy, your solar options, and questions to ask solar professionals, read the Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power and visit the Department of Energy's Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar.
Mount Prospect is a SolSmart Gold designated community by implementing best practices to make it easier for residents and businesses to install and access solar energy.
Policies
In 2009, the Village of Mount Prospect amended the Village Code to encourage the use of environmentally sensitive development techniques permitting solar and wind energy conversion systems in all zoning districts in accordance with minimum standards (Village Code 14.317). The following provides an overview on solar energy conversion systems (i.e. solar panels) zoning and building regulations.
Zoning Regulations – The Village’s Zoning Ordinance stipulates all solar energy conversion systems (SECS) in residential areas must meet the following requirements:
- Be rooftop mounted
- Do not project higher than the maximum building height of the zoning district
- Mounted flush with the slope of the roof and shall not extend further than twelve inches (12") from the roof surface at any point
Ground mount SECS are only permitted in industrial and commercial areas. Ground mounted SECS must meet the following requirements:
- Satisfy setback requirements for an accessory structure on the zoning lot
- Limited to one hundred (100) square feet in size
- Be screened from right-of-way and adjacent residential properties
- Only two (2) ground mounted SECS are permitted per acre
The zoning code also regulates glare produced from SECS so that it does not affect adjacent properties or roadways.
Building Permit
Review the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System Permitting Checklist for building regulations and permitting information for installing a solar PV system on your property.
| Residential Solar Building Permits (Status of Closed, In Progress, or Under Review) |
| 2018 – 27 Permits |
| 2019 – 50 Permits |
| 2020 – 40 Permits |
| 2021 – 40 Permits |
Building Permit Applications may be found on Building Permit Application and Inspections page.
The Village of Mount Prospect Building staff may be reached at 847- 870 -5675; Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you have technical (code) questions, please email building@mountprospect.org
Solar Benefits
Solar energy uses a renewable energy source - the sun - and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. It improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, creates a possibility to save money on energy costs, and improves electric grid resilience during peak demand and other system stresses.
Solar Energy Industries Associations' - Illinois Solar Stats and Factsheet
| Illinois Power Agency Metrics (Map) for zip code 60056 | 12/31/2021 |
| Small DG <= 10kW | |
| Number of Projects | 76 |
| Total kW of Projects | 492kW |
| Large DG > 10 kW | |
| Number of Projects | 1 |
| Total kW of Projects | 11kW |
Solar Maps and Potential
Investigate your property's solar potential by using Google's Project Sunroof. You can also estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's PVWatts Calculator: http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/.
Estimated Rooftop Solar Potential for Mount Prospect
Finding a Contractor and Going Solar
Find a solar contractor (or two) to assess your home for solar energy and provide a quote.
- Certified practitioners can be found through NABCEP
- Visit EnergySage to learn about solar energy and submit for solar quotes from a network of pre-screened, local solar installers
- Consumer Solar Checklist - a checklist for residential consumers considering solar energy from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council
- Clean Energy Consumer Bill of Rights - ensure a positive consumer experience by addressing important issues from IREC
- Solar Energy Industries Association provides Solar Customer Resource Portal to help make an informed decision
- Solar Owner's Manual - information for current solar homeowners to ensure they are getting the most out of their system from Solar United Neighbors.
- ComEd's Finding a Contractor Page provides helpful tips on finding a Solar PV system installer. To identify a qualified contractor, check with Illinois Commerce Commission that the contractor (or work with a sub-contractor who has obtained it) has a Distributed Generation Certificate.
Financing, Incentives, and Tax Exemptions
Typically solar installations are paid for though loans or cash, with Federal and State incentives.
- ComEd has a Solar Incentives & Credits page provides an overview on federal and state incentives for adding a solar PV system.
- Homeowner's Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics - learn about the federal tax credit, eligibility, and other common questions & answers from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- A Homeowner's Guide to Solar Financing - learn about different financing options from CESA, the Clean Energy States Alliance.
- Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability launched the Cook County Sun and Save program. In partnership with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), this initiative installs solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at no cost for income-qualified residences and homeowners in Cook County. View Cook County Residential Solar Energy Installation Program for more information.
Solar Rights
The Illinois Homeowners' Solar Rights Act protects home owner's rights to install solar panels, and the amendments passed in July 2021 make it easier for people in home owner associations to go solar.
More Information:
The Citizens Utility Board has an Introduction to Rooftop Solar webpage, which address many of the common questions like; what residential solar incentives are available? Is my roof ready for Solar? How do I find solar installers? How to make solar more affordable? and more! The Department of Energy's Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar also has a solar FAQ and provides additional opportunities to learn more.