Illinois Solar Energy Association

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Central Illinois - 8 sites

Kernagis Single Family Residence Mike Kernagis, (Builder: Ecological Construction Laboratory) Urbana, IL

Fairview II, currently under construction, and the first Fairview House (right next door) are the second and third Passive Houses built in Urbana. They have been sold to low-income first-time homebuyers, who are very pleased with the 70-90% reduction in their space heating bill!

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Albers Single Family Residence John & Natalie Albers Williamsville, IL

I was surprised by how easy the panels were to install and overall the utility company was easy to work with.

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Geil Single Family Residence Phil Geil Mahomet, IL

A 6.8kW solar electric system comprised of 38 PV panels complements a 10 kW wind turbine installed in February. Installation was completed Aug. 16th, so not too much comparative experience yet. The house is a timber frame with SIP panels and a 2 story south facing greenhouse; heated with 30 gals of kerosene last winter. Swimming pool in nursery greenhouse is heated with 4 solar hot water panels in the winter.

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Jones Single Family Residence Rena & Drew Jones Urbana, IL

We're so pleased with our 18 panel, 3.6 kW PV system, that we are planning on installing 6 additional panels and increasing it to a 4.8 kW system. In addition we recently installed a 1.8 kW wind Turbine, (Skystream). A hybrid (solar/wind) system is a good fit for Illinois weather conditions.

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Kennell Single Family Residence David & Miriam Kennell Eureka, IL

Our grid tied system has produced slightly more electricity than we have used over the last 6 years. It feels good to live within our "energy budget" We enjoy watching our panels track the sun through the seasons.

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Klingenberg Single Family Residence Katrin Klingenberg Urbana, IL

The Smith House, built in 2003, is the first home in North America built to German Passive House standard. The house features super insulation, air-tight construction, and limits thermal bridges. Well-oriented high-performance windows take full advantage of available passive solar energy. With an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), we?re able to eliminate a conventional heating system and reduce space heating by 90%!

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Fezler Single Family Residence Tripp Fezler Jacksonville, IL

Hot water is completely off the grid, and installation qualified us for the Illinois 30% rebate. This 2 panel hot water system was installed in 2007 to allow us to cut down on propane use. The system is a Heliodyne system with 2 Gobi 3366 collectors rated by SRCC OG-300 for 30,000 BTU each. The entire pump/controls are powered by a PV panel so no electricity is required at all to make hot water. We also installed a propane fired tankless heater (no electricity again) as a backup. Works so well that we turned off our backup heater in April. Has saved $350 in 6 months.

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Christensen Single Family Residence Eric & Anjanette Christensen Melvin, IL

I never thought I would like being off the grid. This last year has changed my mind. I was scared that I would have to really change my life style. Boy was I wrong. Don't get me wrong, we have changed a few things. We now have power strips, fluorescent bulbs upgraded the appliances to high efficiency, hang the clothes outside to dry (which I actually like better). Nothing major, just the basic things to live off the grid. I do not want to go back on the grid. This summer our generator kicked on, maybe, three times. It is great to not have that monthly bill and to show our kids the better way to live. The best was not having to worry about the rate increase with Ameren or when storms hit. Let the lines come down, I can still watch tv and cook. This is the best way to live.

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Chicago, North Side - 16 sites

Resurrection Lutheran Church Organization Sarah Spoonheim, Faith in Place Chicago, IL

Faith in Place, a Chicago-based non-profit, helped Resurrection Lutheran Church become the first church in Chicago to install a solar hot water system in 2006. The church went solar to reduce global warming, save money, and take care of God's creation. Since 1999, Faith in Place has helped 250 congregations - including Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Baha'i, Zoroastrian and Unitarian - become good stewards of the earth. To learn more about Faith in Place, visit www.faithinplace.org or call 312-733-4640.

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Howard Alan Architects Business Howard Alan Chicago, IL

This Passive Solar building demonstrates the practicality of harvesting the heat directly from the sun and storing it in the materials used to construct it. Day-lighting is another practical aspect of the building's design and gives us the kind of light we have been evolving in for the last 40 thousand years. These features reduce our use of fossil fuels by 50% over conventional construction.

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Berton Multi-Family Residence John Berton, NekoluxSolar Chicago, IL

This 2 kW system, plus large amounts of energy use awareness and energy use reduction allowed me to live off grid since May 1999.

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Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Organization Amanda Golucki Chicago, IL

The Nature Museum engages visitors, especially urban dwellers, in new ways to connect with and preserve the natural world through a unique indoor/outdoor experience. The Museum is one of the city's best examples of eco-friendly building technology with lush outdoor nature trials and habitat, green roof and solar panels.

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Armijos Single Family Residence Donna Armijos Chicago, IL

I have a solar hot water system and am very happy with the performance. My gas bills are reduced by 1/3 in the winter and are almost negligible in summer months. I was motivated to install the solar system to keep energy prices affordable and environmental concerns.

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Bialasik Single Family Residence Glen & Maria Bialasik Chicago, IL

Our solar system was installed in March of 2005. We were surprised and excited to see how well the heat worked! We use our solar panels for everything from heat to washing cloth diapers to heating our swimming pool! Our gas bill dropped about $60 per month. It is a great way to save money and be environmentally responsible.

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Flakne / Jefferson Single Family Residence Robyn Flakne & David Jefferson Chicago, IL

The idea of reducing dependency on the gas company is appealing, the state rebate was relatively attractive and the process was easier than expected. I've been pleased with how low-maintenance the system is and that it has survived several storms. I've long been interested in this technology and it has been great to take a step in the right direction. I do recommend it to others!

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Heinemann Single Family Residence Allen Heinemann Chicago, IL

We save the environment & save a bundle on hot water heating in our rental 3-flat (713 W. Buckingham) and appreciate the added benefit of space heating with our solar Service design and installed units. We would make the same purchase decision again!

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Heinemann Single Family Residence Allen Heinemann Chicago, IL

We save the environment & save a bundle on hot water heating in our rental 3-flat (713 W. Buckingham) and appreciate the added benefit of space heating with our solar Service design and installed units. We would make the same purchase decision again!

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Heller Single Family Residence Stephen Heller Chicago, IL

This system has worked flawlessly for 3 years. It is a great feeling to watch the temperature rise in the holding tank!

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Isaacson Multi-Family Residence Marjorie Isaacson Chicago, IL

My home was off the grid for two years before ComEd began their interconnection program. It's an important advancement, but for distributed generation to really benefit Illinois we need to be able to sell our green energy on the market!

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Kaicener Single Family Residence Michelle Kaicener Chicago, IL

I?ve always wanted Solar, and I love this system !! It has greatly reduced my gas bills, and provides hot water all year round. We really need to be reducing our use of fossil fuels though alternative energy.

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Ramos Single Family Residence Teresa Ramos Chicago, IL

I have only lived with my 4-panel heat and hot water system since mid March 2007. Since that time I am impressed by the low gas bill. I am sure I will really feel the significant savings during the upcoming winter months. My 7 year old son is so impressed that we are using alternative energy and makes sure to show our panels to all his visiting friends. We are proud to be the 1st ones on our block to have solar panels.

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Redfeairn Multi-Family Residence Gregory & Andrea Redfeairn Chicago, IL

As a teacher, Greg believes in a better tomorrow. Harvesting the energy falling on his two-flat to help heat his home and supply hot water for his family and his tenant is a great way to demonstrate his commitment to a clean energy future. "I expect to cut my heating bills in half". The following year I installed a 2kW PV system on the West side of my roof. The PV system is grid-connected and I sell my excess energy to ComEd.

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Reynolds / Brade Single Family Residence Deny Reynolds & Jim Brade Chicago, IL

Our 5 panel solar thermal system provides 98% of our hot water all summer and about 75% of spring & fall, and even on a 20 degree sunny winter day the temperature on our panels reached 175 degrees. "We're very happy with our system!" said Jim Brade.

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Yount / Sotller Single Family Residence Bill Yount & Camin Sotller Chicago, IL

It was great working with Solar Service! We did a custom third story roof deck 2-panel solar thermal installation where the panels function also as a roof to the pergola/deck. Integrating 21st century technology into a 100 year old home seamlessly was a fun challenge.

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Chicago Near West/Oak Park - 7 sites

World's Largest Laundromat Business Tom Benson Berwyn, IL

Our gas bills could have served this small business a fatal blow, but we've turned a liability into a GREEN venture in two ways: saving some "green" and saving the planet too.

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Donohue Single Family Residence Patrick & Binita Donohue Oak Park, IL

Our solar panels were installed in 2004 and we believe we save about 50% on our heating bill. We took advantage of the state rebate program and are happy with our system.

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Dore Single Family Residence Todd & Maribel Dore North Riverside, IL

The 5 panel solar thermal and 10- panel 2Kw PV systems were installed at the end of 2006. Since that time the gas bills are 30% and the electric bills are 50% less than previously (as measured on a square foot basis). In fact the PV system has generated 57% of our total electric use!

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Gill Single Family Residence Jim Gill Oak Park, IL

The system is combined with a tankless hot water (on-demand) unit for back-up. Overall gas use has been reduced significantly with summer gas consumption almost zero.

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Gordon Single Family Residence Joe Gordon Oak Park, IL

The system gives us a majority of our hot water, a portion of our heat for our basement during the winter and a great feeling all year round! Barbara actually labored in Solar Heated water with our second child in our tub! We love our system and the State Rebate and Federal Tax Credit were just icing on the cake.

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Janata Single Family Residence John Janata Berwyn, IL

I have always felt that we have a responsibility to take care of our planet going back to the 70's with the commercial about litter showing the native American with a tear in his eye. More recent events such as terrorism and the gulf war and now Iraq. If our government had the foresight and wasn't so interested in taking care of big business and the oil concerns we could have become energy independent back in the 80's. I support our troops and veterans but putting yellow ribbons on my car and tress just doesn't cut it. I feel that by using less energy and being less dependent on mid-east oil, we can bring our troops home. So I installed the solar and drive a hybrid car to save our troops, environment and over time some cash!

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Hughes Single Family Residence Rob & Carlissa Hughes River Forest, IL

It's very important for us to encourage the use of alternative energy. Knowing that our hot water is heated using solar power makes us feel good. We're also setting a good example for our children.

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Chicago, West Side - 6 sites

Chicago Center of Green Technology Government Chicago, IL

The Chicago Center for Green Technology is a premier example of sustainable living and education. Featuring 3 PV arrays, the building is able to generate up to 72 kW of solar electric energy or 45% of the building total annual energy consumption. For more info please go to www.cityofchicago.org/Environment/GreenTech

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Christy Webber Landscapes Business Roger Post Chicago, IL

Our Solar Thermal panels provide hot water to the building throughout the year and boost the geothermal system during the winter. We love it.

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Taco Burrito King Business Salvador Lamas Chicago, IL

"When we decided to build a new place we were conscious of the need to use renewable resources. Choosing to use solar energy to heat the water was an easy decision Recently to show my mangers how well the system works, I turned off the gas back up and showed them we had plenty of solar-heated water.

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Cummings Multi-Family Residence Kathleen Cummings Chicago, IL

This 3-flat residence uses both solar electric and solar hot water. Kathleen's 3.6 kilowatt photovoltaic system was installed in 1999. About her awning mounted solar hot water system installed in 2003, Kathleen said, "It was a great deal and not that expensive with the state rebate. It's nice to help the tenants with free hot water."

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Jacobson Single Family Residence Dr. Dan & Diane Jacobson Chicago, IL

The Jacobson's home features two solar technologies.? One system supplies plenty of heat and hot water and the other system supplies electricity.? The house uses many other "green" features.?

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Cook County Courthouse Government Elizabeth Melas Chicago, IL

I am pleased to say that this is the county's first PV installation. Hopefully the first of many more to come in the future.

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North Shore - 13 sites

Evelyn Pease Tyner Center Government Lorin Ottlinger Glenview, IL

The Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center of Air Station Prairie was built this year as a joint venture of the Glenview Park District and the village of Glenview. The goal of this museum is to educate visitors about prairie ecology and natural history, as well as sustainable living. In addition to the photovoltaic panels, the Tyner Center features a green roof, geothermal heating and cooling system and recycled building materials.

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Solar Service Inc Business Brandon Leavitt Niles, IL

Our system is an example of a typical residential solar heat & hot water system which heats one of our buildings in partnership with a forced air furnace and also supplies hot water to all our buildings. The solar collectors are mounted on a flat roof and will be available for a hand on inspection.

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Carrington Single Family Residence Chuck & Patti Carrington Evanston, IL

This 2-panel hot water system was installed in 1985 and has been making hot water for 22 years with only a couple minor repairs. "I think that it is important that we cut back on our use of fossil fuels as much as we can". Says Chuck.

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Drucker Single Family Residence Beth & Harry Drucker Wilmette, IL

The solar water is a no brainer, we heat all of our water for half the year and at least 1/2 our water for the other half of the year from solar. The combination of our PV panels & Switching to DFL bulbs reduced the electricity we purchase from the utility by 2/3! Plus, seeing the PV panels serves as a constant reminder to turn off lights!

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Kramer Single Family Residence Marilyn Kramer Niles, IL

The roof-mounted, three panel solar collector system supplies supplemental hot water for both household hot water usage as well as assistance to the current forced air heating system. Note: 7102 Seward St., Niles, may ONLY be accessed from Waukegan Rd, 1 blk N. of Oakton St.(the house is located on a cul-de-sac). The Google map is INACCURATE. It CAN NOT be accessed from the Harlem Ave.side.

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Kruhmin Single Family Residence Linda Kruhmin Evanston, IL

I have kept records of my natural gas usage for 2 year prior to the systems installation in 2005 and 3 years after - my bills show a consistent 27 - 30% reduction in gas usage.

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Meister / Herreid Single Family Residence Brian Meister & Linda Herreid Evanston, IL

I am proud that I am able and willing to be a small part of a small movement that has great possibilities to keep generations down the line from living with problems caused by our present energy usage.

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Moran / Kenney Single Family Residence Mike Moran & Elizabeth Kenney Evanston, IL

We installed 2 panels for solar hot water 2 years ago when we did our second floor addition. I haven't actually calculated our savings but since we're doing laundry for 3 small children, they are probably substantial. This summer, we went away for a weekend so I turned the water heater down (Basically off). We went away again and I went downstairs again and realized I had never turned it back on again- we hadn't missed it. Also, solar-heated showers feel better!

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Revelle Single Family Residence Bill & Eleanor Revelle Evanston, IL

Seven 4'x8' solar collectors provide most of the heat for our domestic hot water and are a secondary source of heat for the radiant floor heating system. Our annual gas bill is about $950. Photovoltaic (PV) slates on the three south-facing roof surfaces generate roughly 80 percent of the total electricity we use during the year. The annual electrical bill for the house is under $400. Additional information can be found at our website for the house: revelle.net/lakeside/

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Day / Saunders Single Family Residence Richard Day & Henrietta Saunders Glenview, IL

Our concerns about global warming and energy's role in US foreign policy led us to get the system. We are also happy not to send so many dollars to the large utility companies!

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Snower Single Family Residence Brad Snower Highland Park, IL

Solar thermal heats the 10,000 sq. ft. home in addition to heating the 30,000 gal pool. 600' of Geothermal walls provide additional hot water an air conditioning/heat. Photovoltaic provides 3.3 kW of energy to offset highest current usage at 3.3kW which was reduced from 6kW prior to installing a solar thermal and geothermal.

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Notre Dame High School Academic Tim Herling Niles, IL

The system pre-heats almost 200 gallons of hot water a day for our new science wing. The students not only benefit from all the hot water for washing up, but we will be studying the systems' performance as part of Notre Dame's effort to stay leaders in education in the city and suburbs.

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Kinney Single Family Residence Elizabeth Kinney Evanston, IL

I am very pleased with the solar hot water system. It has reduced my gas bill and I feel I am helping the environment.

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North Suburbs - 2 sites

Fries Single Family Residence Sue & Paul Fries Antioch, IL

We moved into our home in Feb 2006, one year later we installed a 4 panel heat & hot water system. It was wonderful working with Joe from Solar Service and the install crew regarding outside aesthetics and future plans for the basement. We haven't been able to calculate our true cost savings yet but look forward to this winter! With the dramatic increase in gas prices, we hope that it will be a minimum impact on our pocket book.

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Maziarz Single Family Residence Richard & Gina Maziarz Spring Grove, IL

We love our solar system! We enjoy that the system is virtually maintenance free. The system is both eco-friendly and cost effective which were our main goals when purchasing the system. The tax credit was a great bonus too! :)

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Northwest Suburbs - 4 sites

Bottje Single Family Residence Cheryl & Gary Bottje Roselle, IL

Our solar heating system was installed in February 2005 as part of a major sustainable rehab project. We have three 16-tube Seido units that provide domestic hot water and a majority of heat for our 2,600 square foot house including the basement. Since installation, we have consistently used less than half the natural gas therms per square foot than we did prior to installation. Our total natural gas cost for 2006 was only $650. We know we made the right decision. We are happy to be participants n the advancement of solar power and alternative energy use.

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Lukawski Single Family Residence Joe & Sandra Lukawski Arlington Heights, IL

We recently put on an addition to our home including a 5 panel hot water and heat solar system. We were told the system would reduce our gas bill by about 1/3rd. Since we added about 1/3rd to our home, we thought our gas bill would stay about the same as before the addition. To our surprise last winter's bills were even lower than before we added on.

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Westerbeck Single Family Residence William Westerbeck Elgin, IL

Our home was built in 1982 to our specifications as to sitting, insulation levels, etc. We face due south with R40 walls & R60 ceiling insulation. In June of 1985 the solar thermal system ( 4 - 4'x10' collectors) was installed and still provides about 2/3 of domestic hot water as well as heat for our basement. Panels are ground mounted behind garage. A 3.5 kW PV system was installed by Dave Merrill in September 2003 on the south roof. In the almost 4 years of operation, it has provided almost 27% of our total electricity usage.

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Woodman Single Family Residence Alan & Barbara Woodman Mt. Prospect, IL

This is a 4 panel heat boosting & hot water system installed on our remodeled and enlarged home in late 2006. Operational in 2006 winter we have already noted a substantial gas bill reduction due to the enlarged area and additional furnace and water heater, all gas savings have yet to be concluded. None the less we know we have the lowest gas bills in the area. Further data will confirm our findings.

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Rockford/Western Illinois - 13 sites

Dixon Public Schools Academic David Blackburn Reagan Middle School, District #170 Dixon, IL

In the summer of 2005, Reagan Middle School in Dixon became the largest ground-mounted solar school in the state. Its 51.2 kW system shows off the fact that solar can supply a large amount of power, and educate at the same time. Everyone is aware about the environmental benefits of solar, however many still do not know that solar makes sense economically. The School is on course for an 8-10 year payback on investment thanks to financial supporters. Dixon is proud to be on the front end of a renewable energy solution.

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Illinois Renewable Energy Association Organization Bob & Sonia Vogl Oregon, IL

This sister organization is also hosting a tour on October 6th. See www.illinoisrenew.org for more info on this self guided tour.

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SunAir Systems Single Family Residence Dave Merrill Byron, IL

We installed our wind turbine in the spring of 1995, added a solar PV array on an electric tracking rack (at the peak of our roof) in 2000 and then put in the main solar array out in our garden area. Our electric bills average about $30 - 35 a month. We use a fully automated corn stove to heat the house in the winger months - savings $500 in our gas bill. I love the idea of renewable energy so much that I quit my engineering job and am now helping people install their systems full time now. Lets go solar! (and wind)

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Bertolozzi Single Family Residence Marlene Bertolozzi Kingston, IL

I've dreamed of a solar/wind powered home since the 1970s. In 2005, I began seriously researching and actually installed a hybrid system. I've remodeled my home with the environment in mind. I've tried many techniques and am still in the process. My friends and I love to run down to the basement when the sun is out or the is wind blowing to see if I'm selling to ComEd. That's satisfaction.

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Blackmore Single Family Residence Keith & Mary Blackmore Forreston, IL

Each year we produce more electricity with our 2 kW PV system than we can use. We are able to do this because of the extensive conservation and efficiency measures we have implemented. Anyone can do this! Also passive solar space heating since 1983, seasonal passive hot water outdoor shower since 1983, seasonal passive hot water pre-heater since 2007

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Maes Single Family Residence Rich Maes Kewanee, IL

Our 10 panel PV system is just the start for us. It has lowered our total electric bill by over 30% and will pay for itself in less than 2 years. Then we plan to add 13-15 more panels. Since we only need to add panels (no invertors, cables, switches, etc), the panels will pay for themselves even faster!

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O'Connell Single Family Residence Joe & Anne O'Connell Belvidere, IL

We installed it to save money and it does save some.

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Thorp Single Family Residence Chuck Thorp Lena, IL

We are in phase 1 of 3 parts. We wanted to supply some of our electric power to help improve the environment. We are please so far and will add more panels in 2008. The rebates and tax credits are great motivators and we hope to save money too.

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Williams Single Family Residence Ken & Janet Williams Stillman Valley, IL

The unit is a Sky Stream 3.7 wind turbine. Has a 12' rotor diameter. The unit is made by southwest wind power.

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Peterson Single Family Residence Tom Peterson East Moline, IL

The 8 panel 1320 kW Photovoltaic system was installed on the roof of our 50+ year old home mid May of 2007. Our system at home is tied into the grid. We also have a 2000 kW system that was installed three years ago. That system is on battery backup and is located on rural property that we use for recreational purposes. We are interested in using photovoltaic systems to conserve our natural resources, to be more self-sustaining and to help bring awareness to others for example of what can be done.

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Kennedy Single Family Residence Patrick And Ellen Kennedy Lanark, IL

Our first set of 12 photovoltaic panels were installed in May of 2006. We wanted to reduce our electric costs and when we saw how much they were reduced, we became very excited. After learning about the rate increase we decided to add 12 more panels in November of 2006. We put in an energy efficient heat pump and energy efficient water heater. Our overall cost for electric is reduced by 60% and we do not have a gas bill. Our savings are great.

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Marconi Single Family Residence Jerry Marconi Savanna, IL

This newspaper article from the Riverside/Brookfield Landmark provides a very good description of this home: www.rblandmark.com/main.asp?ArticleID=2817&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=&S=1

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Zaderej Single Family Residence Victor & Polly Zaderej Oregon, IL

The home that I have designed and built is a Passive Solar Home. It is highly insulated (R40 walls) and can be heated with 1 W/sq.ft. on the coldest days of the year. The entire roof over the garage (60 sq. meters) is a solar collector system I have designed that can be used to heat the entire home in the winter. I have one small PV panel for demonstration and a 1.8kW Wind system will be installed this fall. To see more go to www.solarhomesus.com

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South/Southwest Suburbs - 5 sites

Forest Preserve District of Will County Government Becky Sanders Joliet, IL

For those eager to see a model of environmentally friendly construction, we will be offering a tour of the Sugar Creek Administration building. See solar panels, raised flooring, green materials, and other energy saving technologies.

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Gronko / Strange Single Family Residence Bob Gronko & Anna Strange Blue Island, IL

We have two 4X10 panels that heat "antifreeze" in a closed loop to the heat exchanger (smaller tank). When the panels get 12 degrees hotter than the 80 gallon water tank, the antifreeze starts circulating through the loop including coiled around the 80 gallon tank. That tank is connected to our conventional gas-heated 40 gallon water tank (not pictured). So cold water feeds into the 80 gallon tank, which is heated by the antifreeze, and that hot water goes into the 40 gallon tank to supply our needs. We may need to use gas to heat the 40 gallon tank if we don't see any sun for a few days. But we have 120 galloons of HOT water to use first.

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Kronberger Single Family Residence Warren Kronberger Minooka, IL

After seeing many solar installations during the October 2004 Solar Tour we decided to add a 5 panel hot water & heat system. This was installed April 205. since it's installation our solar water & heat system has substantially reduced our gas fuel bills. In fact our home was originally sized to use a 500 gallon propane gas tank. Our fuel supplier said our fuel use rate was so low that they replaced our 500 gallon tank with a smaller 250 gallon tank.

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Rodawold Single Family Residence Joe Rodawold Wilmington, IL

This 7 panel, 1085 W rated PV system was installed on my garage roof in October 2006 and is on track to produce 1200 kWh in the 1st year of operation. Facing full south with unimpeded view of the sun, the site is ideal. The system is grid tied, making it a lot of fun to see how much energy flows back to the utility.

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South Wilmington Sportsmen's Club Organization Dave Dvorak South Wilmington, IL

In 1985 we constructed a 2700 sq. ft. solar heated beach and shower house here at the club. It was very unique at the time and still is. We use a drain down system with no heat exchangers. We did get an award for design back in 1985 and the facility has been working great the past 22 years. The panels heat the building all winter and supplys potable hot water for thousands of showers every year. Another unique feature is that the facility is just south of Braidwood Nuke Power Plant.

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West Suburbs - 15 sites

DeBates Single Family Residence Tom DeBates, Habi-Tek Geneva, IL

This is a 16 evacuated tube solar thermal system that is PV powered. It provides domestic hot water heating and a small portion of space heating. A great way to heat water.

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Robert Bair Services, Plumbing Heating Air Business Robert Bair Downers Grove, IL

We have five 4x10 solar thermal panels on the roof. We installed the system in Fall, 2005 with help from Solar Service. The hot water is stored in two 120 gallon tanks on the first floor. This system is strictly for space heating. Our gas bills have been lower since we installed the system. But with the mild winters it's hard to pinpoint how much we saved.

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Armstrong Single Family Residence Chuck & Pat Armstrong Naperville, IL

Our 3,500 Sq ft. home features: (1) a totally native (330 species) low-maintenance landscape including a 1,500 sq. ft. mostly native green roof (2) passive solar house construction, 93) 8 - 167 watt photovoltaic modules on the roof. We were the first grid-tied solar building in Naperville. Winter fuel bills include heat & hot water, run about $100 a month. Summer electric bulls, include air conditioning, cooking & cloths drying run about $65 a month.

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Bobis Single Family Residence James & Sandra Bobis Lisle, IL

This 4-panel heat & hot water system was installed on our new home in 2004. "Our biggest gas bill last winter was under $100! It's great that it does save money, but in light of recent events world-wide it's even more important for use of alternative energy", says James.

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Burlingame Single Family Residence Mary & Bruce Burlingame Glen Ellyn, IL

With increased gas bills we decided to do something proactive that we had talked about since the Carter administration. We finally put action to our dreams! We assume we'll live here another 10 years and knew it would be a worthwhile investment.

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Camasto Single Family Residence Jim & Kath Camasto Naperville, IL

The solar thermal system (installed simultaneously with a high efficiency furnace) cut our natural gas use 45-50% (~500 therm/yr). The solar PV system cut our electrical use 60-65% (~3,000 kWh/yr), and we further sell it's clean energy certificates into Naperville's Renewable Energy Program. We also fuel a minivan using E-85 (ethanol).

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Kuchar Single Family Residence Kenneth & Karen Kuchar Downers Grove, IL

We installed our 6-panel heat & hot water system primarily to lesson our footprint on the Earth, to reduce our use of fossil fuel; and to do our part in the greening of the planet. Secondarily, we took advantage of the state rebate (30%) and the federal income tax incentive ($2,000) to install a system that will pay for itself in 6-8 years.

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Lowe Single Family Residence Ted Lowe Wheaton, IL

I love living with solar energy! My solar energy systems help me live a more sustainable life, both ecologically and economically. My electricity is either all or partially from solar energy each and every day forever and also for every load of laundry and dishes, baths, and showers!

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Mitchell-Jelinek Single Family Residence Catherine Mitchell-Jelinek Brookfield, IL

The reason I had the 4-panel heat & hot water system installed was for the environment. It is a coincidence that energy prices have risen so sharply not long after the installation. One of my gas bills in the late spring was a credit. I love my solar panels.

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Rusk Single Family Residence Dan Rusk LaGrange Highlands, IL

When this house was being built in 2004 we had the systems (PV and Hot Water) installed because we believe in renewable energy. Since this house has always had solar panels creating hot water, baseline data for cost savings on natural gas are unavailable. Electricity savings, however, may be estimated because we know the total number of Kilowatt hours our PV system has generated in its lifetime.

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Nowicki Single Family Residence Ron & Vicki Nowicki Downers Grove, IL

The Nowicki residence demonstrates passive solar design and energy efficiency in a suburban environment. The house is surrounded by lush gardens of native flowers, herbs and vegetables

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Robinson Single Family Residence James Robinson Lisle, IL

My sustainable energy system is a battery based non-grid tied hybrid which consists of Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water and Wind systems. In the near future I will be installing an additional four panel Solar Thermal hydronic heating system to heat my home during the cooler months. I also have a wood burning stove for home heating as well. My refrigerator is super efficient Sun Frots RF, 19 which is 100% off grid and was installed in October 2005.

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Teppema Single Family Residence Jeff Teppema La Grange Park, IL

By installing a PV system, I wanted to demonstrate that there are additional ways other than coal and nukes to generate electricity. It was designed to be a teaching tool for my children.

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Whitney Single Family Residence Rich And Liz Whitney Glen Ellyn, IL

The Whitney residence demonstrates passive solar design and energy efficiency in a suburban environment. This hillside home takes advantage of temperature moderation from the earth. Insulation of the walls is rated R-26 and the roof is R-38. The house is surrounded by native plants as well.

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Mankowski Single Family Residence Craig Mankowski Naperville, IL

Note: Due to an unfortunate illiness in their family, their home will not be tour-able this year as originally planned.

Our passive solar home allows us to heat our home for about 1/4 of the cost of traditional homes the same size. We purchased this home from a couple who worked with the architect to design all of it's energy savings features including a vapor lock entrance, custom padded shutters and a 23 ton limestone fire place whose bricks absorb and release heat from a winter sun.

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