Chicago Tribune
Southland communities honored for work in solar energy
02/02/2018
SolSmart Designees
Aurora
Illinois
- Created a solar landing page with information on community’s solar goals and local resources for solar development.
- Created and shared an interactive solar map for your community.
- Provided resources on active installers and/or local incentives for solar.
- Created an online permitting checklist, increasing transparency for community members and solar installers
- Reviewed local zoning codes and identified restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
- Allowed solar by-right accessory use in all zones (so solar installations don’t require special permits or hearings)
- Cross-trained both inspection and permitting staff on solar PV
- Provided a streamlined permitting pathway for small PV systems
Aurora's comprehensive plan contains a sustainability component, and because renewable energy systems on facilities save energy and money and retain jobs, we are committed to making solar installation easy in Aurora.
- Karen Hancock, Aurora Planning Supervisor
