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Solar Guide

Getting Started With SolarWelcome to The Village of Woodridge’s solar resource webpage. The Village is seeking ways to encourage solar energy development in our community. This webpage represents a collection of solar information and resources for the community. Our community’s solar goals can be found in its Solar Statement.  For more information about the basics of solar energy, your solar options, and questions to ask solar professionals, read the Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power and visit the Department of Energy’s Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar.

Our Solar Commitment
The Village of Woodridge is committed to exceptional customer services through our Community Development Department as it relates to solar processes. To promote the continued advancement of solar in our community we are committed to the following: 
  • Providing clear guidelines about the solar permitting and inspection process in our solar checklist available here.
  • A building permit application is always conveniently available here.
  • Providing our Solar Statement for more information on our commitment to promoting solar energy options.
SOLAR BenefitsSolar energy uses a renewable energy source – the sun – and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. It improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, supports local solar companies in Illinois, saves money on energy costs as the price continues to drop from technological developments, and improves electric grid resilience during peak demand and other stresses to the system.

SOLAR MAPS & PotentialInvestigate your property’s solar potential by clicking here. You can also estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator. Visit our Solar Story Map to find existing solar projects within the Village of Woodridge. This includes the number of KW generated, the estimated cost of the system, and the permit fees to have it installed.  

FINDING A SOLAR CONTRACTORFind a solar contractor (or two) to assess your home for solar energy and provide a quote.
  • Certified practitioners can be found through NABCEP.  
  • Visit EnergySage to learn about solar energy and submit for solar quotes from a network of pre-screened, local solar installers. 
  • Consumer Solar Checklist – a checklist for residential consumers considering solar energy from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. 
  • Clean Energy Consumer Bill of Rights – ensure a positive consumer experience by addressing important issues from IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. 
  • Solar Customer Resource Portal – various resources from SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association.
 Financing, Incentives, and Tax Exemptions
 Typically solar installations are paid for through loans or cash, with Federal and State incentives available.

 Solar Rights and Procedures
Homeowners' solar rights are enshrined in Illinois law. You can read the contents of that law here.

 Job Training and Educational Opportunities
  • The Solar Foundation’s Solar Training Network (Career Connections, Education & Workforce Partnerships) 
  • The College of DuPage offers a Renewable Energy Technology Certificate to train technicians in the field of electronics, electricity, mechanics, and computers related to the applications in the field of renewable and green energies.