HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.1 ACCOLADES: SolSmart Gold Designation awarded to Village of Mount ProspectMr�GauC �'d'+rt;�iect
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Subject ACCOLADES: SolSmart Gold Designation awarded
• Village of Mount• •
Meeting April 5, 2022 - REGULAR MEETING OF THE MOUNT
PROSPECT VILLAGE BOARD -
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Category MAYORS REPORT
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The Village of Mount Prospect was recently awarded a Gold designation from the
national SolSmart program for taking bold steps to encourage solar energy
growth, making it faster, easier and more affordable for homes and business to go
solar.
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ATTACHMENTS:
Village of Mount Prospect Designated SolSmart Gold for Advancing Solar Energy Growth
03-2-2022 (003).pdf
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Village of 1Prospect
Press Release
Village of Mount Prospect Designated "SolSmart Gold" for Advancing Solar Energy
DATE: March 2, 2022
CONTACT: William Schroeder — Director of Building and Inspection Services
Alex Bertolucci —Assistant to the Village Manager
PHONE: 847-392-6000
The Village of Mount Prospect is receiving a Gold designation from the national SI l program for making
it faster, easier, and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar.
This designation recognizes the Village of Mount Prospect for taking bold steps to encourage solar energy
growth and remove obstacles to solar development. For companies looking to expand, a SolSmart Gold
designation is a signal that the Village of Mount Prospect is "open for solar business."
SolSmart is led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the International City/County
Management Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies
Office. More than 400 cities, counties, and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program
launched in 2016.
"The Village Code was amended in 2016 to permit solar energy conversion systems. Building and Inspection
Services Department has approved over 150 solar permits in the past four years. The SolSmart application
process gave staff the opportunity to seek national recognition for the Village's efforts and to support our
community's sustainability efforts," said Assistant to the Village Manager Alex Bertolucci.
"We are committed to supporting sustainable building practices and alternative energy systems in the
community," said Director of Building and Inspection Services William Schroeder.
As a SolSmart designee, the Village of Mount Prospect is helping solar companies greatly reduce the cost of
installations and pass those savings on to consumers. This allows even more local homes and businesses to
obtain affordable, clean, and reliable electricity through solar. The actions the Village of Mount Prospect has
taken will help encourage solar companies to do business in the area, driving economic development and
creating local jobs.
To receive designation, cities and counties make changes to their local processes to reduce the time and money
it takes to install a solar energy system. This includes evaluating local permitting processes, as well as planning
and zoning procedures. SolSmart designees also develop innovations in areas such as market development
and finance.
Here are some examples of actions taken by the Village of Mount Prospect to achieve a Solsmart
designation.
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Village of Mount Prospect Press Release Page 2 6/18/2020
• Staff created webpages to share information on how to get started in considering solar energy and a
permitting checklist which reviews local codes, the permitting process and how to schedule an
inspection.
• The Village hosted solar information sessions titled "Solar Power Hours" in 2019 and 2020 for
community members to "learn about the basics of solar and its financial implications for a household.
These sessions also supported the Citizens Utility Board and Midwest Renewable Energy
Association's Solarize Chicagoland community -wide residential solar purchase program.
• In 2021, The Village of Mount Prospect partnered with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to launch
the state's largest community solar program called the CS2 Residential and Small Commercial
Program, providing consumers easy and immediate access to new community solar farms in northern
Illinois.
In addition to achieving a SolSmart Gold designation, the Village of Mount Prospect was presented with a
Special Recognition Award by SolSmart. The SolSmart Special Recognition Award celebrates and shines a
light on communities that have gone above and beyond — earning at least 60% of the total points available in
one or more of the eight SolSmart categories of Permitting; Planning, Zoning and Development; Inspection;
Construction Codes; Solar Rights; Utility Engagement; Community Engagement; and Marketing,
Development and Finance. The Village of Mount Prospect received a Special Recognition Award for
excellence in the Community Engagement criteria category. "I am grateful to our team for identifying ways
to incentivize the use of solar energy in Mount Prospect," said Mayor Paul Hoefert. "Sustainable practices and
protecting our environment is a top priority for our community."
SolSmart uses objective criteria to award communities points based on the actions they take to reduce barriers
to solar energy development. Communities that take sufficient action are designated either gold, silver, or
bronze.
As part of the SolSmart program, a team of national experts provides no -cost technical assistance to help
communities achieve a designation. All municipalities, counties, and regional organizations are eligible to join
the SolSmart program and receive this technical assistance. Interested communities can learn more at
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