Skokie

Skokie, Illinois earned SolSmart Bronze in 2020, and worked to upgrade their designation to Gold status in 2023 by embracing a variety of exciting, solar-friendly initiatives. That included increasing awareness of solar career opportunities among the community, amplifying the government’s support for solar through public statements and more, and updating permitting and inspection, along with zoning, to make solar more accessible and less costly.

• 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 development
• Codified in the zoning ordinance that accessory use solar PV is explicitly allowed by-right in all major zones
• Train planning and zoning staff on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV
• Posted online resources about consumer protection and solar PV, as well as a summary of state policies related to a property owners solar access and solar rights
• Demonstrated local government support for local solar projects through speeches, press releases, opinion articles, etc.
• Supported a community solar program