Debbie Insana is an ISEA member and RECAP participant.
PUBLIC
The ISEA is here to assist homeowners just like you to make the decision to install renewable energy and this website is a great place to begin.
Watch both of the videos and learn what the process is all about. Then take one of our courses to get an overview of the technologies available, economics, site assessment, and installer resources. These classes are currently being offered at Wright College in Chicago and will be available at Kankakee Community College in July. We should have them at Moraine Valley Community College this fall. Check out our Events Calendar for details.
The Illinois Solar Tour will take place on October 1st and is a fabulous opportunity to learn about all types of renewable energy and their applications. The Solar Tour is a free, public event that provides tours of homes and businesses in Illinois that have renewable energy installed. You will meet installers, homeowners, and business owners, hear them give a guided tour of their system and be able to ask them questions. We highly recommend you take a course before attending the tour, so you are prepared with questions and get more out of the tour. More information will be posted on the new Solar Tour website in the next few weeks.
The ISEA often hosts tours of homes and businesses throughout the year to provide more in-depth opportunities to learn about specific installations. We recently hosted a tour of the Exelon City Solar facility, the Helenowski LEED Platinum home with solar pv and small wind, and Freedom Field, a renewable energy testing facility. When you join the ISEA you will receive invitations and notifications to attend these member events.
COURSES
The ISEA offers three courses for individuals interested in learning more about Solar and Small Wind technology before investing in an installation for their home or business. To learn about course dates and locations, visit our Events Calendar.
Solar Electricity for Homes & Businesses
This course is an in-depth review of solar electric energy production so you can determine if a solar electric system is right for your home or business. Topics include: system equipment and components, technology and mounting options, cost analysis, site assessment, permitting, tax incentive details, and guidance on finding and hiring a qualified contractor/installer. If you're ready to make the move to solar and generate clean, renewable energy, this is the class for you.
Solar Water & Space Heating for Homes & Businesses
You can incorporate solar thermal technology into your home or business to decrease your dependence on natural gas and reduce your energy costs. This is an especially economical technology for large users of hot water, like laundromats and car washes. This three-hour course will teach you how this technology can be integrated into your current systems to supplement hot water and space heating, as well as the basics of a site assessment and the costs involved.
Small Wind in the City & Suburbs
This course will explain how small wind works and its applications in urban and suburban areas. Learn about various turbine designs and mounting options available for installations with property limitations. The course will detail site assessment, permitting, cost analysis, tax incentives and guidance for working with a local contractor/installer.
