INC: Solar energy progress in Illinois could be on hold with new administration

A new report outlines some of the barriers Illinois residents face that can make adopting solar energy more difficult and expensive than necessary.

The findings are based on feedback from residential solar installers across the state about their experiences with permitting offices and the challenges they face.

Study Coauthor Theo Rosen with the Environment Illinois Research and Education Center says requirements like in-person application drop-offs and long and tedious review processes can prolong the approval time and add unnecessary costs.

Rosen adds that about 20 percent of Illinois residents cancel their applications for permits because of delays in the permitting process.

The report suggests standardizing permitting across the state.