About Us
The ISEA was founded in 1975 and incorporated in the State of Illinois in 1979. ISEA is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit membership organization and is the Illinois chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). We represent over 400 members, including more than 100 businesses, statewide.
Our Mission & Key Activities
Our mission is to provide energy education to the Illinois public and promote the widespread application of renewable and sustainable energy methods and technologies. We educate our seminar participants about technology, finance and policy issues that can aid them in either adopting renewable energy technologies or advocating for adoption in their communities.
- ISEA Education Series. We provide educational seminars geared especially toward homeowners, business owners, contractors, entrepreneurs, A&E professionals and municipal leaders. We have recently expanded our course offerings.
- Newsletter. Our bimonthly Heliographs newsletter
highlights ISEA programming as well as policy, finance and technology
news that affects the use of solar and small wind energy in Illinois. Heliographs reaches nearly 1,000 interested residents and elected officials statewide.
- Member Events. We organize on-site education opportunities at venues that have included solar panel factories, wind farms as well as residential and commercial solar energy installations.
- Solar Tour. Every October, ISEA also organizes a single-day Tour of installations throughout Illinois. The accompanying Tour Guide reaches more than 5,000 Illinoisans each year.
- Aggregation Initiative. ISEA provides a direct incentive for Renewable Energy Credits produced by members' solar photovoltaic systems through our Renewable Energy Credit Aggregation Program.
- Speaking engagements. We attend many public events throughout the year including Earth Day events, community meetings and other events intended to educate the public and promote the use of clean energy in Illinois.
If you are interested in volunteering with or developing a programming partnership with ISEA, contact us today at contactisea@illinoissolar.org or 312.376.8245.
Staff Michelle Hickey
Program Coordinator
Michelle joined the ISEA in November 2009. Her responsibilities include overall administrative services, website and database management, membership services, developing and administering programs, recruiting and supervising volunteers and interns, providing support to committees, and collaborating with the Board.  Christopher Pell
Education Coordinator
Chris was hired in February, 2010 to assist the Program Coordinator with the development and expansion of ISEA educational curriculum and overall management of the education program. Chris will also conduct research on education grants and communicate with the education committee.
2009 Officers
 Mark Burger, President
Serving since , term ends January 2011
Mark is Principal Consultant at Kestrel Development Company, providing consulting services on renewable energy policy, technology and market development. He has over 25 years experience in renewable energy and building energy applications. Previously, Mark was a Sales and Marketing Manager at Spire Solar, a firm manufacturing solar electric panels and designing systems. He also worked for the U.S. Department of Energy, last heading the Strategic Assistance Team for the Chicago Regional Office. He is a Life Member of the American Solar Energy Society, the ISEA and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, as well as a member of the Illinois Wind Working Group. Mark holds a BS in Alternative Energy from Jordan College of Cedar Springs, Michigan and an MA in Environmental Studies and Urban Geography from the University of Illinois, Chicago.
 Walter Knake, Vice-President
Fundraising Committee Board Liaison
Serving since 2005, term ends January 2011
Walter has 35 years of experience in Marketing, Sales and Strategic Planning. He currently provides consulting services through Fountainhead Development to environmental service, traditional oil & gas and renewable energy companies. He was the CEO for Caribbean Petroleum Corporation in San Juan Puerto Rico, Director of Business Development at Green Mountain Energy in Austin, Texas, and CEO for Amoxxo Convenience Retail in Mexico City. He worked at British Petroleum and Amoco Oil for more than 33 years, which included four years in developing and implementing their renewable energy business. He has worked with large Midwestern utilities to develop "Green/Sustainable" marketing products and programs.
 Lisa Albrecht, Secretary
Solar Tour and Membership Committee Board Liaison
Serving since 2008, term ends January 2012
Lisa is a Renewable Energy Specialist responsible for sales and business development for Solar Service, a full-service solar thermal and pv consulting, design and installation company founded in 1977. She oversees the Illinois Solar Tour, ISEA's largest event, is the Board Liaison for the Membership Committee, and is involved with the Policy Committee, working with a range of policy and advocacy partners. Lisa speaks regularly to a variety of organizations about the applications and benefits of solar.
 Lesley McCain, Treasurer
Public Relations & Marketing Committee Board Liaison
Serving since 2009, term ends January 2011
Lesley is the Midwest Director of Business Development for Community Energy Inc. where she has worked since June 2005. She started as the Residential Program Manager for the award winning City of Naperville Renewable Energy Program, and in January, 2006 added corporate and industrial sales to her responsibilities. Lesley has a BA from Northern Illinois University in Communication Studies.
2009 Board of Directors
Jim Gill, P.E., LEED AP, HERS
Education Committee Board Liaison
Serving since , term ends January 2012
Jim is a licensed professional engineer with over thirty years experience in building, infrastructure and site construction, as well as environmental remediation. He is a LEED AP, and a RESNET certified HERS Rater, consulting on energy efficiency and renewable energy systems for commercial and residential buildings. He teaches building energy systems at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago. Jim also fuels his car with waste vegetable oil, operates a solar system and designs and installs solar energy systems.
 Mark Handy, LEED AP, NABCEP, BPI, RESNET
Events Committee Board Liaison
Serving since 2010, term ends January 2012
After 20+ years in Information Technology where I managed Technical
Sales, Marketing and Services groups and Programs for Novell and Sun
Microsystems, I left corporate American in 2008 to start my own firm,
KenJiva Energy Systems. Our goal is to showcase the greater
Chicagoland area as a global leader in Sustainable Urban Energy
Management and Generation.
Erik Holston
Serving since 2009, term ends January 2011
 Jeremy Jones, NABCEP
Policy Committee Board Liaison
Serving since 2009, term ends January 2011
Jeremy has been involved in commercial PV system development for the past 10 years including many projects in Chicago and along the East coast. Jeremy was a founding board member of the Gulf Coast chapter of the USGBC and is a NABCEP certified installer. Jeremy is the CTO for SoCore Energy, a Chicago based commercial PV project developer.
 Dan Litvin
Serving since 2010, term ends January 2012
Dan, following his BSc Civil Engineering degree, was involved in the construction field as a builder and General Contractor for the last 25 years. He is the owner of B&A General Contractors, Ltd and a partner in SolarWerks, LLC. SolarWerks designs and installs Solar PV and Thermal systems for both residential and commercial markets. Dan's education in solar includes MREA's Advance PV, Design and Installation Lab and Solar Water System Design classes. He also has a 5-Star Solar Specialist designation from Velux America and graduated the Viessmann Academy for Advanced Solar Thermal. Dan is a member of ISEA, MREA and ASES.
 Kevin O'Shea
Finance Committee Board Liaison
Serving since 2009, term ends January 2011
Kevin brings a vast background to the Board of ISEA. With degrees in business from Notre Dame and DePaul, he is well versed in the finance function of an organization. As a LEED AP he is very familiar with sustainability and being the C.E.O. of Shamrock Green Electric has given him firsthand knowledge of solar energy. His experience participating on multiple boards and committees will help him contribute to ISEA as it attains its potential.
Per the ISEA by-laws, the officers are elected each January to serve a 1 year term and about half of the directors are elected every
other year to serve 2 year terms. Elections take place in December and
New BOD begin in January.
Anti-Discrimination Statement
The Illinois Solar Energy Association does not discriminate against, nor do we condone the discrimination of any persons based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, religious affiliation, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.
The Illinois Solar Energy Association does not condone discrimination of persons’ with disabilities. We support and encourage that all architects, contractors, builders, designers, and all others who influence how a building or space is created that it be made accessible to all persons. We encourage all spaces be created with the implementation of the design recommendations based on Title III in the Americans with Disabilities Act in the Standards for Accessible Design.
For a link to more detailed information regarding the Standards for Accessible Design and the American with Disabilities Act please refer to the following links:
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