If you are planning to construct a solar energy system at your single or multi-family residence, plan review approval is required prior to issuance of any permits.

All solar installation companies must have Distributed Generation Certification through the Illinois Commerce Commission or be working with a subcontractor who has this certification. You can verify if a solar energy system installer is certified by visiting the website of the Illinois Commerce Commission. A current copy of an installer’s distributed generation certification, must be on file at the village, or submitted prior to permit issuance.

Current Wind and Solar Energy System Fees

• Single Family Residential: $45 (includes electrical permit fee)
• Multi-Family Residential: $215 (includes electrical permit fee)
• Plumbing Permit (if applicable): $35 plus $12 per fixture/opening

*Roofing and plumbing fees (if applicable) are not included and will be calculated separately.

Licenses

All contractors working on the project must obtain a valid Village Contractor's Business License.

All roofers working on the project must be licensed by the State of Illinois. You can verify if a roofing contractor is state licensed by visiting the website of the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulations. A current copy of a roofer's license, must be on file at the village, or submitted prior to permit issuance.

If plumbing work is required for a solar thermal system, the plumbing contractor must be licensed by the State of Illinois. To verify if a plumbing contractor is state licensed, visit the website of the Illinois Department of Public Health or call them at 217.524.0791. A current copy of the plumbing contractor’s license, must be on file at the village, or submitted prior to permit issuance. Effective March 1, 2013, per 225 ILCS 320/37 (from Ch. 111, par. 1135 of The Illinois Plumbing License Law), "A letter of intent shall be included with all plumbing permit applications. The letter shall be written on the licensed plumber of record's business stationery and shall include the license holder's signature and, if the license holder is incorporated, the license holder's corporate seal. If the license holder is not incorporated, the letter must be notarized."

If you have any questions regarding the permit application or process, please contact the Permitting Division of the Community Development Department at 847-923-4420.

Submittal Requirements

• Copy of the installer’s Distributed Generation Certification
• Residential Building Permit 
• Plat of Survey (PDF) with proposed scope of work drawn directly on the survey to scale
• Plat of Survey must be scanned at high resolution settings, photos will be rejected
•  Electric layout is required for electrical work
• Plumbing Permit Application (for solar thermal systems)
• Mechanical Permit Application (for solar thermal systems)
• Proof of village contractor’s license
• Proof of plumbing contractor’s license and Letter of Intent (if applicable) for solar thermal systems
  • Specify on the Permit Application in the Description of Work that plumbing is required
• Specifications and cut sheets
• Worksheets, Plans, Specifications, and Notes using the templates below:
  • Standard String System Plans and Documents Template
  • Micro Inverter Plans and Documents Template
  • AC Module Plans and Documents Template
  • Supply Side Connection Plans and Documents Template

• Helpful Hints for residents who are considering rooftop solar.
• Helpful information about solar energy system plan preparation and code requirements can be found on the Solar American Board for Codes and Standards website.
• Schaumburg’s Solar Energy Systems Ordinance [154.70(A) Solar Energy Systems]

Required Inspections

Inspections can be scheduled up to 4 pm the business day prior to the requested inspection date by contacting the Permitting Division of the Community Development Department at 847-923-4420.

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

• Rough and final electrical service connection inspections
• Rough and final building inspections

Solar Thermal Systems

• Rough and final electrical service connection inspections
• Rough and final building inspections
• Rough and final plumbing inspections