Homeowners in Schaumburg just got easier access to solar energy systems to power their properties. According to a recent report from the Chicago Tribune, the Village of Schaumburg received a SolSmart Silver designation for taking steps toward encouraging solar energy growth and making it more accessible to both homeowners and business owners.

The Village of Schaumburg, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and 14 other local governments throughout the Chicagoland area joined forces to find a solution to reduce the amount of time it takes to implement and install a solar energy system as well as cut down on cost. The group evaluated local permitting processes, planning procedures, and zoning.

The SolSmart Silver designation shows that Schaumburg is “open for solar business.” While businesses can make a big impact on the presence of solar energy in Schaumburg, homeowners can get in on the action as well. According to the Tribune, the actions taken by the village will also help to spur economic development and create jobs.

The Village of Schaumburg is known for committing to sustainable initiatives, including the approval of the Comprehensive Green Action Plan (C Gap) in 2008. The plan focuses on 30 programs, policies, and ordinances that were already in place. Intended to focus on recommended actions and specific guidelines, the C Gap program is an effort in steering Schaumburg in the direction of being a leader in sustainable practices. 

ComEd Already Making Headway in Solar Energy

This news for Schaumburg homeowners comes about six months after ComEd announced it will make a major investment in solar energy over the next 13 years. According to the Daily Herald, the electric utility company said it plans to expand its offering to customers following the completion of its smart grid system conversion. The smart grid lays the foundation to expand the use of alternate energy.

Over the next five years, the company’s goal is to provide 3,000 megawatts of electricity through solar power. ComEd plans to develop programs to give homeowners options for generating and receiving electricity from solar power, including use of rooftop solar panels and local generating stations. 

Back in August, ComEd filed a request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to provide customers with the ability to buy solar energy though community supply projects. With this, owners of solar projects could produce and sell energy to ComEd’s supply grid. According to the Schaumburg Solar Energy Code, energy produced through an on-site system can be delivered to a power grid in order to offset cost.

ComEd is working to develop more tools for users and providers  while also connecting the two with a more streamlined system. The electric utility company has a goal of having 25 percent of its power generated by renewable sources by 2025.