Tour of Solar Places Oct. 3

From press release

What’s it like to produce your own electricity from the sun and the wind? To live with an independent energy system? Do you need to change your lifestyle? Will the system change the appearance of your home, or can it be blended into the design of your building? What does it cost? How much upkeep is needed?

These and other questions will be answered by home and building owners with solar PV and other renewable energy installations during the Tour of Solar Places in north central Illinois from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3.

Visit the sites that interest you (see locations below). The event is free, and is sponsored by the Illinois Renewable Energy Association.

Tour of Solar Places locations

• Marlene Bertolozzi, 32960 Dawn Drive, Kingston (312-904-6396): Hybrid photovoltaic and wind power system.

• Bob and Sonia Vogl, 1230 E. Honey Creek Road, Oregon, Ill. (815-732-7332): Hybrid grid-connected photovoltaic and wind power system with battery backup; stand-alone (cabin-type) photovoltaic installation.

• Kickapoo Nature Center, 1919 N. Limekiln Road, Oregon, Ill.: Super insulated “one-watt” building built on German Passivhaus principles. Includes earth tube.

• David Merrill, 139 Perene, Byron, Ill. (815-234-2530): Hybrid photovoltaic and wind power system with battery backup.

• Keith and Mary Blackmore, 9024 W. Grove Road, Forreston (815-938-3204): Ground-mounted photovoltaic system, super-insulated house, greenhouse.

• Lantow Lofts, 502 Seventh St., Rockford (815-964-8280): Complete renovation of century-old building, solar thermal panels used to heat water for domestic use; the largest geothermal heating/cooling system in Winnebago County; many recycled materials used in construction.

From the September 30 – October 6, 2009 issue.