Illinois Solar Tour

Welcome to the 2024 Summer of Solar Tours!

Tour solar homes and businesses throughout the summer

The Summer of Solar Tours is a series of FREE events that feature homes, businesses, and nonprofits throughout the state that have installed solar on their property. Many sites have also integrated other technologies, such as batteries and EVs. During each Tour, hosts open their doors to their community and invite their neighbors in to learn about how to go solar from someone who has already been through the process! Each event includes a short presentation on the host's solar story, a tour of their system, and plenty of time for questions and socializing.

Traditionally, the Solar Tour has had numerous host sites around the state open on the same day. This year, ISEA is changing it up! Instead, we are curating more intimate and targeted events held throughout the whole summer.

Attend a Solar Tour to:

Learn how home and business owners are utilizing solar and other clean energies to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and to become energy independent
Meet people who have renewable energy installations, learn why they did it, the process, what they love about it and lessons learned
Learn about the different technologies and see how they are installed
Hear how different renewable energy technologies work together
Find out all of the ways you can use clean energy to power your life

Visit the ISEA Calendar to find an upcoming Solar Tour near you!

Be sure to check back regularly - new events will be added all summer!

Upcoming Solar Tours include:

Buffalo Grove

Jeff Slepak

July 20th, 2 PM

Click here to register!

System: 32 roof-mounted panels, EV

Annual Production: 11.5MWh

Why I went solar: To lower our carbon footprint on the planet. The fact that we've paid $0 in electricity usage most months since the system started up has been great, too! Our home is fortunate to have the best azimuth. Though we have many trees in the back yard, we get full sun on the panels in the summer with no tree shade; in the winter, when the sun is lower, the trees have no leaves, and we get plenty of sun then, too. We added 5 more panels this year to account for our EV.

Carol Stream

Wendy Vernon

July 25th, 6:30 PM

Click here to register!

System: 19 roof-mounted panels, backup battery, EV

Annual Production: 7829kWh

Why I went solar: We installed solar because we wanted to help the environment with clean, renewable energy and also wanted to save money on our electric bills. We also installed a battery backup because we wanted some off grid capability in case of a power outage. We felt like the time was right to install solar because of the availability of the federal and state tax incentives.

Chillicothe

Chillicothe Public Library

August 3rd, 1 PM

Click here to register!

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.

On Deck:

Highland Park

More to Come!

This FREE event offers the opportunity to tour innovative green homes and buildings, and see how solar energy can be used efficiently. The tour hopes to inspire people across the state to make sustainable energy choices that reduce costs, support energy independence, protect against power outages, and reduce carbon emissions.

This is a chance to see affordable and practical technologies in your neighborhood that benefit the environment and are part of the solution to our nation’s energy problems. If you are considering solar energy, please check out a site near you, or browse through the Solar Tour videos and Zoom Solar Tour recordings to learn more.

161 Solar Sites Participated in 2023!

View their photos, stories, and videos at the links below:

City of Chicago Sites

Central Sites

Northern Sites

Southern Sites

Southwestern Sites