Wheaton home to be featured in Illinois Solar Tour Sept. 24

Residents of Wheaton will be featured among over 100 solar homes, businesses, and nonprofits across the state participating in this year's Illinois Solar Tour, which will give thousands of Illinois residents an exclusive in-person or virtual look at the world's fastest growing source of energy.

The Solar Tour, hosted by the Illinois Solar Education Association, is a free experience, including both in-person and virtual events on Saturday, Sept. 24.

The tour allows the public to view real-life examples of nearby businesses and residents who have decided to cut their utility bills by going solar.

Structured in the past as a statewide series of open houses, the tour is shifting to a combination of in-person and digital audiences, with some communities offering local tours.

Photos and videos of solar homes, businesses, and nonprofits in over 50 municipalities throughout the state are available now on the tour website, illinoissolar.org/Illinois-Solar-Tour. Website visitors can register to attend in person - solar sites will open their doors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

This year's hybrid format will offer the public a chance to engage and ask questions of solar owners and other enthusiasts like never before.

Jeff and Bonnie Gahris's home in Wheaton is featured. The couple decided to go solar because they see the value of solar energy as part of an environmentally and economically viable solution to America's energy needs.

"Using solar energy increased are awareness of how we use energy in our home," Jeff Gahris said.

The in-person and virtual tours are expected to give visitors across Illinois a better understanding of renewable energy.

The passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois last year, as well as the recent passage of the federal Inflation Reduction Act, make it easier than ever to take this step toward a sustainable future, and participants will gain valuable insight on the costs, processes, as well as the economic and environmental benefits of going solar.

The tour is an opportunity for the public to learn about the benefits solar offers.

The Northern Illinois Solar Tour Sites includes homes, churches and other sites in: Arlington Heights, Barrington, Brookfield, Buffalo Grove, Carol Stream, Cary, Deerfield, Deer Park, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Evanston, Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Grayslake, Highland Park, Naperville, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, Wilmette, Winnetka, and Woodridge.

Community tours will be offered in Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Grayslake, Highland Park, Northbrook, Park Ridge and Wilmette.

From 1-3 p.m. Sept. 24, join a free, family-friendly bike ride around Grayslake with stop at different solar panel installations; sign up via the tour website.