Solar panels in Cook County, IL
Compare solar costs, payback and local permit rules across 30 Cook County towns served by ComEd, then get free, no-obligation quotes.
Free, no-obligation quotes. Savings vary by home and utility. $0-down offers are leases or PPAs and are subject to approval.
Quick answer
Is solar worth it in Cook County, IL?
For many homes, yes. With a $150 monthly bill, we estimate a system costs about $10,700 to $10,900 after the ComEd rebate and Illinois Shines in Cook County, paying for itself in about 8.2 to 8.5 years on an unshaded, south-facing roof.
How does solar compare across Cook County towns?
| Town | Output per kW | Net cost | Payback | Median home value | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $414,500 | 74% |
| Barrington | 1,190 kWh | $10,900 | 8.5 yrs | $582,500 | 78% |
| Bartlett | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $375,700 | 89% |
| Chicago | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $315,200 | 46% |
| Des Plaines | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $335,600 | 78% |
| Evanston | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $481,200 | 56% |
| Flossmoor | 1,210 kWh | $10,700 | 8.2 yrs | $344,800 | 95% |
| Glencoe | 1,190 kWh | $10,900 | 8.5 yrs | $1,432,500 | 92% |
| Glenview | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $609,600 | 79% |
| Hoffman Estates | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $340,400 | 74% |
| Inverness | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $715,600 | 98% |
| Kenilworth | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | n/a | n/a |
| La Grange | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $594,300 | 82% |
| Mount Prospect | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $377,000 | 70% |
| Northbrook | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $644,100 | 87% |
| Northfield | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $878,300 | 92% |
| Oak Lawn | 1,210 kWh | $10,700 | 8.2 yrs | $281,200 | 83% |
| Oak Park | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $456,300 | 61% |
| Orland Park | 1,210 kWh | $10,700 | 8.2 yrs | $367,200 | 86% |
| Palatine | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $355,600 | 67% |
| Palos Park | 1,210 kWh | $10,700 | 8.2 yrs | n/a | n/a |
| Park Ridge | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $551,200 | 85% |
| River Forest | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $687,300 | 88% |
| Riverside | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $491,400 | 85% |
| Schaumburg | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $330,400 | 63% |
| Skokie | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $368,600 | 74% |
| South Barrington | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $908,300 | 98% |
| Tinley Park | 1,210 kWh | $10,700 | 8.2 yrs | $289,000 | 88% |
| Western Springs | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $691,300 | 96% |
| Wilmette | 1,200 kWh | $10,800 | 8.3 yrs | $810,600 | 88% |
Estimates for a cash purchase on an unshaded, south-facing roof. Home values and ownership rates are U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates; n/a means no Census figure was available. How we estimate
What do Cook County towns require for solar?
Permits and zoning rules are set town by town. Highlights from each town's own rules:
- Arlington Heights: The village's residential solar checklist calls for a building permit (and electrical permit where needed, with the electrician's license), fully dimensioned plans and a plat of survey. Homeowners doing their own work file a Homeowner as General Contractor form.
- Barrington: Barrington requires a solar permit application to include a roof plan showing panel locations and specifications covering panel size, mounting equipment and the electrical plan.
- Bartlett: Bartlett has earned a SolSmart Gold designation, a national program that recognizes communities for making solar permitting and zoning easier.
- Chicago: Chicago's Department of Buildings has an Express Permit Program route for small rooftop systems: a mechanically fastened, non-ballasted array under 13.44 kW installed by a city-approved solar contractor. Larger or more complex systems go through standard plan review.
- Des Plaines: Building permits in Des Plaines come from the Community & Economic Development Department, and contractors must register with the city, with registrations renewing every December 31.
- Evanston: Evanston runs a community choice electricity aggregation program with MC Squared Energy Services that keeps residential supply at ComEd's rate, and the city has set a goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
- Flossmoor: Flossmoor requires a permit for any new, replacement or added solar PV system, along with an approved structural engineer's report. Inspectional Services is at (708) 957-4101.
- Glencoe: Glencoe's permit reviews are handled by SAFEbuilt under contract with the village, and applications go through the village's online Citizen Self Service portal.
- Glenview: Glenview lists solar energy systems among the projects that require a permit and accepts applications online or in person at its Development Center at 2500 East Lake Avenue.
- Hoffman Estates: Hoffman Estates has earned a SolSmart Bronze designation, a national program that recognizes communities for making solar permitting and zoning easier.
- Inverness: Inverness lists solar photovoltaic energy systems among the projects that require a village building permit.
- Kenilworth: Kenilworth began rewriting its zoning code in late 2025, its first comprehensive update in more than 50 years, so confirm current rules for exterior projects like solar with the village.
- La Grange: La Grange allows rooftop solar with panels sitting no more than 6 inches above the roof, and its rules have limited panels on single-family homes that face the front lot line. Ground-mounted systems aren't permitted.
- Mount Prospect: Mount Prospect earned a SolSmart Gold designation in 2022, a national program that recognizes communities for making solar permitting and zoning easier.
- Northbrook: Northbrook handles residential solar through its Alternative Energy Source permit with Development & Planning Services, which turns around a correct, complete submittal in about three days.
- Northfield: Northfield's Development and Building department takes building and electrical permit applications, with inspections done by SAFEbuilt; work started without a permit will be stopped.
- Oak Lawn: Oak Lawn's Building Division lists adding a solar panel system among the projects that need a building permit.
- Oak Park: Oak Park voters approved community choice electricity aggregation in 2011, and the village's current aggregation contract runs through 2028.
- Orland Park: Orland Park has a dedicated solar permit process. For a residential roof-mounted system you submit everything through the village's online portal, including a signed owner consent form or solar agreement, a stamped structural analysis, stamped plans and photos of the conduit path.
- Palatine: Palatine takes residential solar permit applications online through its Citizen Self Service portal, and the application includes the signed installation contract.
- Palos Park: Palos Park requires a permit for solar. Small residential applications need a plat, site plan, electrical diagram, structural worksheet and the installer's Illinois Commerce Commission certificate, and contractors must register. Contact Community Development at (708) 671-3730.
- Park Ridge: Park Ridge treats solar PV installations as simple permits that can be reviewed faster than other projects, usually within two weeks.
- River Forest: River Forest has earned a SolSmart Silver designation, a national program that recognizes communities for making solar permitting and zoning easier.
- Riverside: Riverside's zoning code says solar collectors can't project more than 12 inches from a facade or roof plane where visible from a public right-of-way.
- Schaumburg: Schaumburg requires plan review approval before it issues a permit for residential solar.
- Skokie: Skokie doesn't restrict solar beyond its normal zoning and building codes, but a building permit is required. The village says it aims to review a complete residential solar application within three business days.
- South Barrington: South Barrington holds a SolSmart Gold designation, a national program that recognizes communities for making solar permitting and zoning easier. Solar questions go to the Village Engineer at (847) 381-7510.
- Tinley Park: The Village of Tinley Park Building Department issues building permits, and the Village asks residents to call (708) 444-5100 or email building@tinleypark.org to confirm whether a project needs one.
- Western Springs: Western Springs' building permit guide lists solar panels as permitted work and asks for stamped drawings that include zoning calculations. Questions go to permits@wsprings.com.
- Wilmette: Wilmette's village solar page notes that under Illinois law a homeowners association can't stop a homeowner from installing a solar energy system.
Each town page has the full details and sources.
How do I keep solar from raising my Cook County property taxes?
File form PTAX-330 with the Cook County assessment office. Under Illinois law, a home with solar can be assessed as if it had a conventional energy system, so panels don't raise your assessment. In Cook County, file with the Cook County Assessor's Office; ask the office how it currently accepts the form.
How does solar work with ComEd in Cook County?
ComEd pays about $300 per kW in rebates for new home solar systems with a smart inverter, and since 2025 credits exported power at the supply rate. Power you use as your panels produce it still saves the full retail rate.
See the full ComEd solar guide.
Choosing a company? See how to choose a solar installer in Illinois and what a solar quote should include.
Cook County solar FAQ
Which electric utility serves Cook County?
The towns we cover in Cook County are served by ComEd, which pays about $300 per kW in rebates for new solar systems and credits exported power at the supply rate.
How long does solar take to pay back in Cook County?
For an unshaded home with a $150 monthly bill, we estimate payback of about 8.2 to 8.5 years in Cook County, after the utility rebate and Illinois Shines.
Will solar raise my property taxes in Cook County?
Not if you file form PTAX-330. Illinois lets the county assess a home with solar as if it had a conventional energy system. See how Illinois taxes homes with solar.
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