Grow Solar Metro East Virtual Resource Packet

We’ve taken all the resources we go through during our Solar Power Hour and compiled them here so you can take a deeper look into some aspects of solar.

Grow Solar Metro East Brochure available here.

Solar 101 Resources

Presentation Slides are available here. The on-demand video version of the presentation can be found below.
Make sure you are asking all the right questions by reviewing the Citizens Utility Board of Illinois (CUB’s) Guide to Rooftop Solar.
See if your home is good for solar by checking out Google Project Sunroof. This tool is good for a general analysis of your roof’s solar opportunity, but it is not reliable for cost estimates.
Learn more about net metering from Energy Sage, or check out this blog post from StraightUp Solar.
Learn about Ameren’s Energy Efficiency Program.
Regardless of what side of the river you are on, The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR website can help you find a certified contractor to perform your energy audit.
If you are in SWECI territory, there are energy efficiency rebates available to you.

Solar in Illinois

Illinois Power Agency’s informational brochure for residential solar, en Español aqui.
Solar for All – Illinois new low income solar program
Community Solar – A new Illinois program expanding solar benefits to renters & homes not suitable for solar, learn more at www.SolarInTheCommunity.com
Homeowners Associations can’t block you from going solar in Illinois; view the full text of the Homeowners’ Energy Policy Statement Act

Solar Incentives and Financing

Go to the Illinois Shines website to learn more about how the program provides payments in exchange for 15 years of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from a utility contracted to buy the RECs.
Learn about the 2020 26% Federal Tax Credit and find the necessary tax forms for your new system.
Brief video explaining the Federal Tax Credit
Check out solar financing options from the Clean Energy Credit Union, or learn more from Energy Sage.
Questions about your state incentive SRECs? Check out our SREC Contract FAQ. View a recording of our SREC Q&A webinar here.

Pre-Recorded Solar Power Hour

Part 1 - Introduction

Sheila introduces the Grow Solar Metro East program and the organizations and institutions that are offering the program. She discusses the basics of how a solar group buy program works.

Part 2 - How Does Solar Work?

Kevin explains how solar works, including our available sunlight in the Metro East, components of a solar array, and how your solar array will interact with the utility and electricity grid.

Part 3 - Options & Considerations

Sheila overviews some of the considerations you’ll need to bear in mind before taking the next steps. Is your site suitable for solar?

Part 4 - Incentives

Virginia describes the incentives available for solar. These state and federal incentives can reduce the price of solar considerably.

Part 5 - Costs and Next Steps

Kevin and Eric describe the costs of solar through the group buy as well as next steps for going solar.