The 2023 Solar Tour is available in a hybrid format, offering both in-person and video tours. Please check individual sites to see which types of tours are offered.

Types of Tours:

• In-Person: The home or business owner will be there to talk about their installation and answer questions; may or may not include going inside to see equipment
• Video: The home or business owner filmed a video tour of their system, which is viewable online
• Walk-By Solar Home: The home or business owner will not be available to greet visitors; visitors can view the system from outside

Champaign

Andy Robinson

Site Type: Residential

Tour Type: Video

Link to Video

System: 36 roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 8600kWh

Why I went solar: I’ve wanted solar for years, but it had to become an affordable investment for my wife. My kids were old enough to understand that our house and car “don’t make smoke” now.

Chillicothe

Chillicothe Public Library District

Site Type: Non-Profit

Tour Type: In-Person

System: 289 roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 115 MWh

Why I went solar: The decision to install a renewable energy system was based on our desire to be good stewards of our environment, and the public funds we receive to operate. The opportunity to serve as an educational hub for renewable energy was equally appealing, and further supports the library's strategic plan goals.

Decatur

Jason Butterick

Site Type: Residential

Tour Type: Video

Link to Video

System: 22 roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 9100kWh

Why I went solar: I was concerned about environmental costs through utility providers and power plants. I also liked the idea of using sunshine to power my home, and utility use only when needed rather than always. It is great to be a customer with choice rather than at the mercy of utility providers.

Fithian

Ron Feltes

Site Type: Residential

Tour Type: In-Person & Video

Link to Video

System: 24 ground-mounted panels, earth-sheltered home

Annual Production: 8911kWh

Why I went solar: The 8.3% return on investment clinched it. I taught HS Biology and it bugs me that the carbon dioxide I release as I consume electricity lasts hundreds of years in the atmosphere. If I can reduce the trapping of the sun's heat on our little planet, I have to do it.

Kankakee

Kankakee Community College

Site Type: Non-Profit

Tour Type: In-Person

System: We have three PV systems here at KCC that are accessible on a walkout lab rooftop. System #1. 16 - Panasonic 325W modules and a Outback ProHarvest inverter, 5.2 kW total. System #2 32 - Mission Solar 310 W modules, Generac Inverter, 9.9 kW total, System #3 32 - Jinko Solar 310 W modules, 14K SolarEdge Inverter 9.9 kW total 

Annual Production: 35 MWh collectively

Why I went solar: KCC has one of the oldest renewable energy training programs in the state. The PV systems located at KCC are designed, built and maintained by KCC Electrical Engineering Technology/Renewable Energy students. It is the only class on campus that saves campus money. All energy production is integrated into the campus electrical infrastructure.

Metamora

Peter Koedijk

Site Type: Residential

Tour Type: Walk-By Solar Home

System: 50 roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 17 MWh

Why I went solar: Always been interested in solar energy and self sufficiency. We are now a net zero home. I believe it was the right thing to do, to be a Steward of God's creation. We are also in the process of researching the purchase of a air heat pump to replace our HVAC and water heater to maximize the use of the power our panels generate.

Minooka

Rich Robinette

Site Type: Residential

Tour Type: Walk-By Solar Home

System: 42 roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: TBD

Why I went solar: I wanted to eliminate my electric bill. For my usage and installation the large initial investment will pay off.

Springfield

Tung Nguyen

Site Type: Residential

Tour Type: In-Person

System: 29 roof-mounted panels

Annual Production: 8000kWh

Why I went solar: I went solar because I wanted to support renewable energy and a better environment.

Urbana

Marya Ryan and Pete Resnick

Site Type: Residential

Tour Type: Video

Link to Video

System: 27 roof-mounted panels, back up battery

Annual Production: 7500kWh

Why I went solar: We installed our system not only to "do the right thing" for renewable energy, but also to provide backup power for a home office, and to play with the latest technology. It had the added bonus of providing some shading, and therefore reducing the heat load, on a south facing roof right over the home office. Our final installation of panels were put in to take advantage of the Grow Solar / Solar Urbana-Champaign program.

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