Learn about solar power in Lake Co.

The interest in using renewable energy continues to grow across the country as many people strive to leave a smaller carbon footprint and cut utility bills.

For Michelle and Jerry Thompson of Mundelein, that was the idea behind spending $30,000 to install solar panels on their house and use renewable energy for electricity and to heat water.

"We were looking to be green and leave a better world for our kids," Michelle Thompson said. "We recycled and used rain barrels and composted. This was just something else we could do."

The Thompsons are among those who will open their homes Saturday to showcase solar energy systems during the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour.

Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., people interested in purchasing solar panels for their homes are urged to join the tour and view homes throughout Illinois that have adopted solar energy.

The tour is a free, self-guided statewide event with more than 185 homes and businesses with renewable energy installations.

System owners will be available throughout the tour share information and give tours of the homes.

Tour guidebooks showcasing homes involved in the tour can be downloaded from illinoissolar.org.

The Solar Tour is a national event involving 5,500 buildings in 3,200 communities in all 50 states.

The National Solar Energy Society is made up of more than 13,000 people and businesses who have adopted solar power.

Michelle Thompson, who lives in the 26000 block of Longmeadow Circle, said she willingly signed on to be a part of the tour because she wanted to show how newer solar panel systems operate in homes.

Thompson said her solar panels are used to heat the family's hot water and supply energy to their home.

The solar panel system for her hot water cost about $10,000, while the electricity solar system cost about $20,000, she said.

Thompson said she expects that cost would be paid off in about seven years, but she already has seen a dramatic decrease in her energy bills.

"Depending on the month, we do generate some energy bills," she said. "But, then there are months we generate more (electricity) than we need."

She said her typical electric bill is about $15 a month, after the system was installed.

"We've only had it for one year, so in time, the system will pay for itself," she said. "Plus, it's more environmentally sound."