Friday, November 16, 2018

What is Chicago solar express

The City of Chicago is accelerating solar energy, making installation of rooftop solar easier, cheaper, and faster than ever. By cutting fees, and reducing time-in-line, streamlining and standardizing permitting and zoning processes, the City of Chicago has made putting solar on your rooftop as efficient and affordable as possible. 


About "Solar Chicago" Bulk purchase program.

On March 17th 2014, Mayor Emanuel announced Chicago was named Earth hour capital winning a grant to help accelerate Chicago's solar market.

In July, the City and partners Cook County, World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Vote Solar Initiative, launched Solar Chicago, a program to make rooftop solar more affordable than ever for Chicago residents.


Through the Solar Chicago program, Chicago residents will be able to install solar starting at $3.49 per-watt - more than a 25% discount off the average market installation costs. This offer is available until September 30, 2014.

Background of "Solar Chicago"

In 2012, the City of Chicago and ComEd were awarded a grant under the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative to support solar PV installations by reducing market barriers and soft costs. The grant was sponsored through the Mayor’s office, and the team was comprised of multiple City, industry, utility, non-profit, and institutional stakeholders. Core project partners included West Monroe Partners, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and Illinois Institute of Technology.



As outlined in Mayor Emanuel’s environmental action agenda, Sustainable Chicago 2015, the deployment of these initiatives is a critical part of economic development in Chicago and integral to the City’s goal of becoming the greenest and most sustainable city in America, while giving more choices to residents and businesses.

The Solar Energy Permit Program

In 2013, the City of Chicago streamlined and standardized the permitting and zoning process for rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Small and large rooftop PV generators can now access the City of Chicago Easy Permit Process. Qualifying projects can receive same-day permit approvals (a process that used to take 30 days) at a reduced fee of $275 (down from $375).There are separate steps for small and large rooftop systems. Small rooftop solar PV systems are those generating less than 13.44 kilowatt (kW). Large rooftop solar PV systems are those generating greater than 13.44 kW.Along with the Easy Permit Process, Chicago’s Department of Buildings has published new permitting guidelines that allow general contractors to clearly demonstrate safe design of solar systems on all Chicago building types, leading to a reduction of engineering fees and potential savings of $2,000-$4,000 for qualifying solar projects.The new City of Chicago Solar Zoning Policy gives clear guidance on how to design solar projects in accordance with the City’s zoning ordinance. In the EPP process, applicants are able to forgo a dedicated zoning review, saving time and money.


Application Procedure

The process involves the selection of a licensed solar contractor with experience installing solar in Chicago and approval by the City of Chicago and ComEd. Interested applicants should view the program website for more information on the application process.


To get the best solar solutions in Chicago Visit Verde Solutions

Source : Cityofchicago.org


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