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Solar in Elgin
Community Solar
Elgin residents and small businesses have the option to participate in a city-sponsored community solar program, called Community Solar Clearinghouse Solutions (CS2). Learn more by visiting our Community Solar Program webpage.
SolSmart
The City of Elgin is a participant in the SolSmart program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, which helps local governments reduce barriers to solar energy growth and make it easier for homes and businesses to go solar. In 2019, Elgin achieved the Silver SolSmart designation.
Rooftop Solar Permit Process
If you’re interested in installing solar panels on your home and not sure where to begin, below are several informational resources that might help you during the decision making process:
Once you decide you want to install solar panels on your home, please read about the City of Elgin’s solar permitting process and the necessary steps you must take to ensure compliance with city code. To learn more about the residential rooftop solar permitting process, please click here.
Note: Commercial properties adhere to different fee schedules than residential projects. The commercial solar permit fee is $70/1000sf of solar panels plus a $75 plan review fee.
Go Solar!
Click here to learn about going solar and to shop for installers.
These resources are for residents and businesses who are looking to verify that they are using a certified, trusted installer.
Solar Rights
The Great Plains Institute conducted a review of state policies related to solar rights in the Local Government Solar Toolkit. Please click here to access the Local Government Solar Toolkit.
Consumer Protection Resources
The links below range from basic residential consumer resources, to resources on land leasing for larger landowners.
- Going Solar in America: A Guide for Homeowners Considering Solar PV in America’s 50 Largest Cities
- Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
- Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) - Sustomer Resource Portal
- Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) – Consumer Protection Industry Resource Portal
- Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) - Guide to Land Leases for Solar
- Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) - Code of Conduct
- The Solar Foundation - Leasing Municipal & Private Property for Solar: Key Steps & Consideration
Solar Potential
Check out these helpful links below to discover Elgin’s Solar Energy Potential.
Grow Solar Chicagoland
The Sustainability Commission partnered with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) to host two Solar Power Hours in 2022. You can view a recording from the MREA about the Grow Solar program. The webinar covers a presentation on solar energy, and topics include an overview of the technology, a deep dive into the financials, and information on what makes a property suitable for installation.
- View the recording by clicking this link, then clicking "Watch Recorded Webinar."