Illinois great for solar power

In response to "Solar energy is gaining in accessibility, popularity" in a recent Homes Plus section:

As a solar energy solutions provider, I was very pleased to find an article in Sunday's paper on the growing interest and popularity of solar energy systems. Anyone who read the article received valuable information as to why solar energy makes sense environmentally, but more importantly, financially.

What was absent in the article was any focus as to why solar makes sense in Illinois. We actually receive more hours of sunlight than Germany and Japan, global leaders in solar energy implementation. Illinois, similar to California, is a "net-metering" state, which permits homeowners to send excess solar generated electricity back to the utility grid, spinning your electric meter backward and generating credit. Furthermore, the combination of federal and state incentives allows a homeowner or small business to significantly reduce the financial impacts of "going solar."

In summary, solar energy makes sense in Illinois. It makes sense not just because we are working to save the polar bears but also because it is a solid financial investment.

Tim Warren

Gilberts