Solar Tour

Instructions for creating a listing using the tour host application form  

You can either enter your own information by using our online form. OR you can email a Word document containing your listing information to the site administrator. Download  TourAppForm1.doc

How to use the online form

If you are able, please fill out the online form  This saves our volunteer site administrator considerable time.We suggest opening this page in a second browser window so you can refer to these instructions. 

Step 1 - Click the "Create Account" link in the "Login" box, fill out the fields and click "submit." Remember your username and password. You are now a registered user in the host area.

Step 3 - Set up your listing:

• Click the "Directory of Buildings" link in the Solar Tour menu.
• Click on your geographical region. The 8 regions are: Chicago (north), Chicago (south), Suburban Cook County (north), Suburban Cook County (south), DuPage County, Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, Southern Illinois. The dividing line for Chicago and Cook County is Roosevelt Road.
  
• Click on the "Add Your Listing" link in the lower right-hand corner.
  

Step 4 - Fill out the form.

• The bold type fields are required.
• Ignore link "manage categories." (NOTE will hide it)
  
• The first "name" field: Use your name for a residence. Use the  name of the business or organization if the site is not a residence.
  
• If you are using multiple solar technologies your listing will appear in all the appropriate categories.
  
• If your contact information and the site contact information are the same don't fill out your information. The site contact information will be visible to the public.
  
• Since your photos will be emailed to the administrator include the email address they will be send from
  
• There will be an automatic link to GoogleMaps for your site's location. Please check that the GoogleMap directions are correct.
  
• Click on "Submit" at the very bottom when you are done.
  

Step 5 - Add your photos

• Easy method - email your photos:  Email up to 3 photos as an attachment to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , The administrator will insert your color photo(s) in your website listing.  But if you are computer savvy please upload the photos yourself and use the instructions below.
  
• Computer savvy method - upload your own photos: If you are able to size and insert your own color photo(s) into your website listing this will save our volunteer web administrator considerable time. Instructions: (1) Maximum size is 400 pixels wide x 300 pixels high, (2) Use JPEG file format. (3) Name the file with your first initial and last name followed by "web" and the ".jpg" suffix. Example of a file name: jsmith-web.jpg
  
• Send a photo for the printed solar tour guide book: The minimum size that will print clearly is 500 pixels wide x 360 pixels high. We will convert color photos to black and white. Name the file with your first initial and last name followed by "print" and the ".jpg" suffix. Example of a file name: jsmith-print.jpg. Email the photo as an attachment to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Step 6 - Application approval process.

• Your application will be reviewed by the site administrator before being displayed.
• If we have questions, we will contact you.
• After you receive an approval email, proof your listing in the directory.

Step 7- If you need to edit your listing or add additional information:

• Log-in again with your user name and password.
  
• Navigate to your listing and click "edit" next to your listing title.
  
• Make the necessary changes and click "submit " at the bottom.
• These will reviewed by the site administrator before being approved for display.
• If we have questions, we will contact you.

Step 8- Questions? Please contact Carol Gulyas at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or  call 708-305- 3891.

See you on Solar Tour Day!