DIY Solar Energy and Efficiency Projects in Troy, Illinois
Total Solar Energy Production as of 26 April 2024: About 82.18 MWHr
(estimated about $7400 savings)
See a real-time summary of our electric production
For questions or comments regarding this project contact me at:
Public Solar Energy Education and Programs for Metro East:
Illinois Solar Education Association (ISEA)
Learn about going solar in Illinois with ISEA webinars.
Watch videos of past solar tours and webinars, and learn about solar homes in your area here.
Click here for the Illinois Solar Energy Association or their Facebook page.
Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)
MREA has a variety of programs to educate the public about solar energy. They also offer training for solar professionals, and host an annual energy fair!
Click here to learn more about MREA.
Our 2020-2021 energy production and consumption. Our consumption is highest in the winter owing to our geothermal heat pump.
The 5.7 kilowatt array on the roof and the hot water panels on the garage wall in April 2016.
INTRODUCTION
Ever since the 1970's I've imagined having a solar home. Peggy and I finally made the plunge in 2011, when we bought a kit to install on our home in Troy, Illinois. We bought the house in 2010, and had looked for one that would be relatively easy to adapt to solar energy. The house has a flat south-facing roof with few obstructions to cause shadowing, and has a large back yard so that I could control the "solar window". I did have some mature trees to cut down (including one oak tree that we really liked), but we figured we could grow more trees.
To read complete details of how I planned, purchased, and installed this project, see the Downloads page.
Also, see the menu for explanations of the economics of this project and for details on other associated energy projects.