Over 100 solar homes, businesses open their doors for annual tour Sept. 22

On Saturday, Sept. 22, thousands of Illinois residents will get an up-close look at the world's fastest growing source of energy when over 100 solar homes and businesses across the state open their doors to the public for the Illinois Solar Tour.

The Solar Tour, hosted by the Illinois Solar Energy Association, is a free open house event that allows the public to view real-life examples of nearby businesses and residents who have decided to cut their utility bills by going solar.

Visit a site near you between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Registration is not required to attend, but if you sign up now at illinoissolar.org you will be entered into a drawing to win a free solar cell phone charger.

The self-guided tour is expected to give thousands of people across Illinois a firsthand experience with renewable energy.

This tour creates an opportunity for participants to gain valuable insight on the costs, processes, as well as the economic and environmental benefits of going solar.

Illinois is on the verge of a solar energy boom thanks to the implementation of new legislation, making the tour a great way to learn about how to take advantage of the opportunities this affords.

Host sites have been chosen within each geographic region for their proximity to others and to facilitate the option of visiting all of them. Each host site tour will take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the site and the number of renewable energy installations.

Visit multiple renewable energy installations in your neighborhood. Learn about:

• Solar electric (PV)

• Solar thermal (hot water and space heating)

• Small wind (horizontal and vertical)

• Geothermal

• Passive solar design

• Electric cars and EV charging stations

Speak with knowledgeable professionals and homeowners and meet like-minded neighbors. Hear the owners stories about why they chose to install renewable energy, their experiences with it, and how this decision has enhanced their lives.

Members of the Aurora community have an opportunity to visit a solar installation right in their neighborhood. Brian Gravenhorst is a host site on the Solar Tour at 3167 Savannah Drive. This site has 128 CdTe panels which can produce a maximum of 10.2 kW paired with a solar compatible whole house generator. The SolarEdge inverter is mounted inside in the basement to protect it from the hot summer sun and prolong its life.

The tour is free and open to the public.

Learn more at www.illinoissolartour.org.

Enter to win a 2018 Tesla Model X. Tickets are $100 or four for $300. Purchase tickets at www.illinoissolar.org. Only 2,500 tickets will be sold. It is open to U.S. residents only.

About the Illinois Solar Energy Association

Established in 1975, the Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the widespread application of renewable energy through education and advocacy. As the Illinois chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, ISEA is the local resource for classes, events, renewable energy-related policy developments, local news, and access to local renewable energy vendors. Visit www.illinoissolar.org.