Chicago Solar Permit Guide
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) territory · Cook County
Overview
GridPermit collects Illinois residential solar and permitting facts directly from official sources (city, county, and state government sites, utilities, and public utilities commissions) and shows only what we can verify, with a confidence score and a link to where it came from. Nothing here is estimated or inferred beyond what's stated below. See our methodology for the rules this page follows.
Permit timeline
1 days
Per the City's own page, qualifying Easy/Express Permit Program (EPP) projects (roof-mounted, output capacity under 13.44 kW) receive same-day permit approval — the City's own page states the permitting process for these projects 'was cut down from 30 days to one day.' Standard (non-EPP) plan review for larger/ground-mounted/non-qualifying systems is not itemized with a specific day-count on the pages read this session.
Battery/solar incentive program on record
ComEd Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate — Energy Storage
ComEd's own Residential Net Metering FAQ states ComEd offers 'a similar rebate for energy storage' alongside its $300/kW solar Distributed Generation Rebate, without stating the exact storage-specific dollar figure on this particular document — see ComEd.com/DGRebate for current details, which was not independently fetched this session.
Status on file: unknown. Verify current status before relying on this.
Permit fees
- Express Permit Program (EPP) solar PV permit fee: $275 (flat fee)
Per the City's own page: the EPP fee schedule was reduced 25% from $375 to $275 for qualifying projects when the program was improved in 2013. This is the City's own currently-published figure, though the page's surrounding content references the original 2013 program launch and was not independently cross-checked against a separately-dated current fee schedule this session.
Rebates
ComEd Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate — Solar
ComEd's own Residential Net Metering FAQ states ComEd offers a Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate of $300 per kW of installed capacity for eligible renewable generation systems.
Status on file: unknown. Verify current status before relying on this.
Utility and generation supplier
Utility
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)
Generation supplier
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) (utility)
No Community Choice Aggregator was found serving Chicago's residential solar customers this session (Illinois does have a municipal aggregation framework for default electricity supply, but that is separate from — and does not substitute for — the interconnection/net-metering relationship with the distribution utility, ComEd, which is recorded here).
Interconnection
https://www.comed.com/smart-energy-innovation/energy-technology/net-metering
ComEd's own Residential Net Metering FAQ document (accessed this session) is dated 2023 (footer: 'NMR03-23'); Illinois's statewide 'Net Metering 2.0' policy reportedly ended full retail-rate net metering for newly-interconnecting residential systems after December 31, 2024 (per secondary reporting, not independently re-verified against ComEd's own current tariff this session). The mechanics described here (application process, credit rollover, SREC allocation via the Illinois Power Agency) are treated as still-current process facts; the specific credit VALUE/rate a new applicant receives today should be confirmed directly with ComEd before relying on it.
Required documents
- Structural design prepared and stamped by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer (required when: always)
- In-person existing-condition inspection report confirming (1) the structural capacity of the existing roof and (2) the condition of the existing electrical system, performed by the licensed architect/structural engineer or someone under their responsible control (required when: always, before submission)
- Manufacturer's installation instructions for all primary electrical equipment (must be NRTL-listed and labeled) (required when: always — must also be on site at the time of inspection)
Inspection steps
- A pre-submission, in-person existing-condition inspection (structural + electrical) is required before the permit application is even filed
- Post-installation, the system must be inspected by both the Chicago Department of Buildings and ComEd before it may be energized
- A permanent rapid-shutdown label must be installed and verifiable at inspection if the system includes a rapid shutdown system, per the Chicago Fire Prevention Code
- Any existing electrical deficiencies (including grounding/bonding) must be corrected by the licensed electrical contractor before solar equipment is connected
Eligibility constraints
- Property types: residential
- Max system size (AC): 13.44 kW
- Max system size (DC): Not yet verified.
- Max thermal capacity: Not yet verified.
- Program/pathway: Express Permit Program (EPP) for roof-mounted systems under 13.44 kW output; standard plan review otherwise
- Other conditions:
- EPP is roof-mounted only — it does not authorize wall-attached or ground-mounted solar PV components
- EPP energy storage systems are capped at 20 kWh (10 kWh for non-lithium-ion batteries); only one installation is allowed per ComEd electrical service connection
- Equipment may not be installed within 3 feet of a residential building's roof edge (4 feet for non-residential/mixed-use)
- Electrical work must be performed by a Chicago-licensed electrical contractor; where required by Illinois law, work must be performed under a certified Illinois distributed generation installer (Illinois Commerce Commission) and roofing work under a valid Illinois roofing contractor license (IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation)
Official contacts
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, official website
- ComEd — Solar/Interconnection (Green Power Connection), email: interconnect@comed.com, official website
Need a solar installer who handles permits in Chicago?
EnergySage is an independent solar marketplace where you can request property-specific pricing from installers familiar with local permitting.
Compare quotes from solar installers →You'll continue on EnergySage's website. GridPermit has a partner relationship with EnergySage; this link is not currently tracked, and whether the partnership results in compensation to GridPermit has not yet been confirmed.
Sources
- Terms and Conditions for Small-Scale Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System (Express Permit Program), City of Chicago, Department of Buildings (government). Accessed 2026-08-13.
- Small Installations and the Easy Permit Process, City of Chicago (government). Accessed 2026-08-13.
- Green Power Connection — Residential Net Metering Frequently Asked Questions (NMR03-23), Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) (utility). Accessed 2026-08-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What utility serves solar customers in Chicago, Illinois?
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) is the interconnection and distribution utility for Chicago. The default electricity generation supplier is Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), a utility, separate from Commonwealth Edison (ComEd).
How long does a residential solar permit take in Chicago?
Per the City's own page, qualifying Easy/Express Permit Program (EPP) projects (roof-mounted, output capacity under 13.44 kW) receive same-day permit approval — the City's own page states the permitting process for these projects 'was cut down from 30 days to one day.' Standard (non-EPP) plan review for larger/ground-mounted/non-qualifying systems is not itemized with a specific day-count on the pages read this session.
What documents are required for a solar permit in Chicago?
Commonly required documents include: Structural design prepared and stamped by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer; In-person existing-condition inspection report confirming (1) the structural capacity of the existing roof and (2) the condition of the existing electrical system, performed by the licensed architect/structural engineer or someone under their responsible control; Manufacturer's installation instructions for all primary electrical equipment (must be NRTL-listed and labeled).
Who do I contact about solar permits in Chicago?
City of Chicago Department of Buildings.