Westmont

Westmon, Illinois earned SolSmart Bronze designation in 2022 and leveled up to Silver in 2024 by publishing new resources on the community’s solar landing page, providing a PACE financing program for solar PV, training city staff on permitting and inspection best practices, and more.

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Chicago-Area Communities Recognized for Solar Energy Achievements

• Posted online resources about residential and commercial solar PV financing options and incentives
• Posted online resources about consumer protection and solar PV
• Posted online resources about solar installers and/or solar quote platforms for solar PV
• Posted an online solar map for your community
• Demonstrated local government support for local solar projects through speeches, press releases, opinion articles, etc.
• Posted a solar landing page on local government’s website with information that may include the community’s solar goals, educational materials and tools that promote solar
• Discussed solar PV goals and/or strategies for increasing solar PV development, including large-scale solar plans, solar access, and/or solar adoption in disadvantaged communities
• Provided a PACE financing program that includes solar PV as an eligible technology
• Posted an online checklist detailing the required permit(s), submittals, and steps of your communitys permiƫng process for residential rooftop solar PV
• Trained permitting & inspection staff on best practices for permitting solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Required no more than one permit application form for a small rooftop solar PV system
• Trained fire and safety staff on solar PV and/or solar and storage systems
• Trained planning and zoning staff on best practices in planning and zoning for solar PV
• Posted an online fact sheet that provides an overview of what zoning allows for solar PV under what conditions and in which districts (e.g. types and sizes of solar systems permitted, the processes required, and other relevant information)
• Reviewed zoning requirements and identify restrictions that intentionally or unintentionally prohibit solar PV development
• Posted an online document from the Planning/Zoning Department that states accessory use solar PV is allowed by-right in all major zones