SOLAR TOOLKITS

Grow Solar Toolkits are a set of resources to assist city, county, community and electric utility leaders in the implementation of solar program best practices. Gain access to permitting, planning, and zoning details for local governments. For an overview of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin regulation, please see the Three State Regional Analysis: Creating “Solar Ready Communities” [PDF].

Solar toolkits allow you to access resources to navigate permitting, planning, and zoning in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Click on your state below, enter your email address, and download the appropriate toolkit.

Update August 13, 2020: Two new Solar Model Ordinances are available:

• Wisconsin Solar Model Ordinance 2020  
• Illinois Solar Model Ordinance 2020

MINNESOTA
TOOLKIT

WISCONSIN
TOOLKIT

IOWA
TOOLKIT

ILLINOIS
TOOLKIT

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES BY STATE

Illinois

• Climate Adaptation Guidebook for Chicago Municipalities
• Chicago Green Permit Process Flow Chart
• Chicago PV Panel Permitting
• Chicago Solar Zoning Policy

Minnesota

• Case Study: Stearns County
• Community Solar Gardens
  • A Guide to Sample Community Solar Garden Contracts 
  • Model Solar Rooftop Lease Agreement
  • Model Land Lease and Solar Easement
• Net Metering
  • Government Solar Checklist
  • SolarCities Thermal Structural Study
• Permitting
  • Minnesota Power 2015 Consumer Guide 
  • Minneapolis Permit Checklist for Residential Solar 
  • Residential Solar Installation Permit Example
  • St. Paul Permit Applicant Checklist for Solar 
  • MN One Line Solar Diagram
  • MN Solar Inspection Checklist
  • MN Solar Permit Fees
  • MN Standardized Solar Load Table
  • St. Paul Permit Checklist
• Solar Ready Net Zero Buildings
  • MN Solar Ready Building Guidelines
  • MN Solar Ready Construction Specification
• Zoning
  • Model Ordinances for Sustainable County Development
  • Model Ordinances for Sustainable Urban Development
  • MN Solar in Comprehensive Planning

Wisconsin

• Case Study: Eau Claire
• Recommendations for Wisconsin, 2011
• Wisconsin Solar Zoning
• Milwaukee Solar Zoning Ordinance
• Milwaukee Structural Worksheet
• Milwaukee Expedited Solar Building Permit

GENERAL SOLAR RESOURCES

Explore the pieces below to find information beyond the state toolkits. You can preview and download each document individually, or download it all here. We recommend you begin with the Handbook for Regional Solar Planning.

1. A Comprehensive Review of Solar Access Law in US
2. DOE’s Zero Energy Home PV Checklist
3. DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home Requirements
4. Empirically Derived Strength of Residential Solar Rooftop
5. Encouraging Solar Development through Policies and Processes
6. EPA’s Landfill Solar Siting Best Practices
7. EPA’s Solar Ready Checklist and Guide
8. Expedited Permit Process for PV
9. Planning for Solar Energy
10. Renewable Energy Ready Home- Solar Checklist
11. Sample Guidelines for Solar Systems in Historic Districts
12. Solar Ready Building Guidelines
13. Solar Thermal Structural Study