Palatine receives national recognition for solar panel installation

Palatine's work to encourage solar panel installation for homes and businesses has landed the village on a growing list of suburbs to receive a national SolSmart designation.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the SolSmart program's bronze status achieved by Palatine came as a result of the village's commitment to reducing barriers and making solar energy development faster and easier.

Harry Spila, Palatine's director of community services, said the village was honored by the designation.

"We are committed to streamlining our processes to encourage growth in solar panel installations and to attract solar companies to do business in the village," Spila said.

At least 300 cities and counties have the SolSmart designation, according to the program's most recent database. Naperville, Deer Park, Elgin, Aurora, Schaumburg, Bartlett, South Barrington and Lake in the Hills are among the growing number of suburbs on the list.

SolSmart has three levels - gold, silver and bronze - based on the actions taken to reduce barriers to solar development. Earning the designation can take as little as a month or up to a year, officials said.

Launched in 2016, Sol Smart's funding from the Department of Energy goes to the International City/County Management Association and The Solar Foundation, which provides technical assistance.