Will County Bags Top-Tier Solar Honor For 2017

The program is a part of the larger SunShot Initiative, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, a national effort to drive down the cost and regulatory obstacles of home and business solar deployment.

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has honored the Will County as the country’s solar-leading communities through its 2017 SolSmart Program.

The program is a part of the larger SunShot Initiative, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, a national effort to drive down the cost and regulatory obstacles of home and business solar deployment.

Just five months after becoming the first entity in Illinois to be designated under the SolSmart Program, Will County has been named a SolSmart Gold designee for taking bold steps to prepare for the increasingly present solar market in Illinois. Will County remains the only county in the State of Illinois to hold a Gold Designation.

“I am proud of the efforts of our Land Use Department to encourage the use of solar power in our county,” Walsh said. “By including solar energy as an option on our county’s building permits, we are encouraging our residents to utilize solar energy whenever possible. Will County is committed to embracing green practices to preserve our natural resources.”

Online inspection scheduling, internal transparency regarding permit applications, involvement in regional solar market conversations and active participation in discussions around solar legislation helped Will County distinguish itself as a leader in the areas of solar education and preparedness.

Source: Patch