Illinois Solar Tour - Chicago Sites

Arcadia Terrace

Mark Weitekamper

Recording from 9/26/20 Live Zoom Tour

System: 12 roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 3400kWh

Why I went solar: In an effort to reduce fossil fuel usage and become an environmentally friendly household, we added insulation, efficient appliances, and an electric vehicle. We added solar PV to come close to Net Zero energy use for electricity to run our household. We look forward to using additional efforts and technologies to reduce our carbon footprint more in the future.

The Bush

Karen Roothaan

System: 4 roof-mounted PV panels, 2 Thermal panels with 80 gal tank

Annual Production: 1600kWh

Why I went solar: I installed solar to be responsible in my energy use. I live in a small house with a large dormer on the south-facing roof, so was not able to get large systems. I supply about 40% of my electricity and about 50% of my hot water with the systems I have. The positive side of this is that my initial investment was low.

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Edgewater

Kristen Over

System: 16 roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 5400kWh

Why I went solar: We were motivated to invest in solar for three main reasons: to offset 100% of our family’s annual electricity usage, to benefit from federal tax credits as well as Illinois Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), and to contribute to a cleaner, renewable energy grid.

Logan Square

April Mahajan

Link to Video

System: 12 flat roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 4000kWh

Why I went solar: I work in sustainability, and am very passionate about living a sustainable lifestyle - in essence, lightening my carbon footprint. 'Greening' one's energy use is often difficult to address, unlike other areas of one's life where small, incremental changes can be identified and integrated over time. Fortunate to be a homeowner, installing solar PV was one sizable step my husband and I could take to address this. We've since became engaged in the technical advancements in the solar industry, the various players in the field, the progress across the US, and our collective pivot to a renewable energy grid. We'd like to do what we can to further that agenda! Ready for 100!

Ranch Triangle

Richard Stuckey

Link to Video

System: 12 flat roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 2800kWh

Why I went solar: This is my contribution to saving the planet.

Sheffield NEighbors

Lisa Elkins

Recording from 9/26/20 Live Zoom Tour

Link to Video

System: 14 flat roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 4000kWh

Why I went solar: We installed our system to be good stewards of our planet and for the energy savings and smart economic incentives that go along with it.

South Chicago

Timothy Heppner

System: 16 roof-mounted panels, solar thermal with 60 gallon tank, geothermal

Annual Production: 5000kWh

Why I went solar: I decided to go solar because it helps to lower my environmental impact while improving my energy independence, all at a reduced long term cost.

Ukrainian Village

Ted Shieh

Link to Video

System: 23 flat roof-mounted PV panels, 3 Thermal panels with 80 gal tank

Annual Production: 8000kWh

Why I went solar: We installed solar energy systems along with numerous energy efficiency features in our Greenstar rated home to minimize our dependence on fossil fuel and carbon emissions, which are contributing to the greatest threat to our well being, accelerated climate change and pollution. The long term financial benefits of investing in renewable energy and divesting from fossil fuel is also a no-brainer.

West Lakeview

Phillip Stalley

System: 18 roof-mounted panels, EV

Annual Production: Too early to tell!

Why I went solar: We installed solar panels out of a sense of responsibility to help combat climate change. It was part of a larger effort to decrease household emissions that involved measures such weatherization and switching to an electric vehicle. With the federal tax credits and Solar Energy Renewable Credits (SRECs), we will save money in the long run, which made the decision easier. It felt very good to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and to know our house and car are powered primarily by clean energy.