Village Reduces Solar Panel Permit Fees

The Deerfield Village Board has taken another step towards promoting renewable energy by implementing a 50% reduction in the base permit fee for solar panel installations. This initiative is in line with the Village's 2022 Climate Action Report, which sets ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The revised permit fee for solar panel installations has been lowered from $18 per $1,000 of estimated construction costs to a rate of $9 per $1,000. It's important to note that additional fees, such as inspection fees, plan review fees, and infrastructure impact fees, may still apply.

The reduction in solar permit fees not only provides financial relief to residents, but also plays a vital role in achieving the SolSmart designation benchmark, which certifies that the Village is following best practices that encourage the growth of solar energy at the local level. Furthermore, this policy change aligns with the Village's commitment to transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources by 2030, as outlined in the 2022 Climate Action Report.

Residents of Deerfield who have installed solar panels now have the opportunity to participate in the Illinois Solar Tour, scheduled for September. This event allows homeowners and businesses to share their firsthand experiences with residential rooftop solar panels with their neighbors. To sign up for the tour or learn more about it, please visit www.illinoissolar.org.  Additionally, the Village is actively exploring the feasibility of installing solar panels on both Village-owned properties and potential third-party locations.

Deerfield has witnessed a notable increase in solar energy usage and awareness, thanks to the successful implementation of the Community Solar Program and educational campaigns. Through the Northshore Electric Aggregation Consortium, the Village has seen 113 residents benefiting from 100% solar energy at a discounted rate of 20% compared to the standard ComEd rate, a great option for residents who do not want to or cannot install solar panels on their house. This achievement sets Deerfield apart as the community with the highest participation in the Consortium. For more information, please visit www.northshorecommunitysolar.com. 

Air Quality Basics

This past weekend, Lake County and surrounding areas once again experienced air quality that reached levels considered to be unhealthy. The poor air quality was a result of smoke from the Canadian wildfires. Fortunately, the air quality index returned to acceptable levels in just a few days.

It is important to know the basics of air quality to keep yourself and your family healthy.

Why is air quality important?

Air quality can change from day to day. Many people live in areas where air pollution can cause serious health problems. Poor air quality can be hazardous to anyone, especially people with lung and heart diseases, older people, teenagers, and children. Poor air quality can cause headaches, irritated eyes and sinuses, fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pains and asthma attacks, irritated throats, and coughing.

What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?

The AQI is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s tool for communicating daily air quality. It uses color-coded categories and provides statements for each category that tell you about air quality in your area, which groups of people may be affected, and steps you can take to reduce your exposure to air pollution. The AQI monitors five major pollutants: ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

AQI ranges from 0 to 500. The higher the number, the greater the health concern. AQI of 100 or below are generally satisfactory.

How do I monitor air quality in my area?

• Visit AirNow.gov. Enter your location to see air quality data.
• Read about the current air quality in your area to learn who is affected and what you can do to stay healthy and safe.
• Sign up for air quality notifications at enviroflash.info/signup.cfm. Under "City Selection" go to "Find by State" and after selecting "Illinois" from the State dropdown menu, you will be able to select "Lake County" from the City dropdown menu.