From Oak Park Library:

Join the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and local community members to learn about how to get started going with solar. CUB's Solar Programs Coordinator will present information about Solar Switch Chicagoland and opportunities for property owners to help pool their buying power and secure discounts that make the process of installing solar power more affordable. Community members will share their knowledge and experience on Community Solar as well as solar panel installation. There will be presentations, a Q & A, and informal discussion time. 

REGISTER HERE.

From Illinois Solar Education Association:

Jay first became interested in solar out of environmental concerns. As soon as the technology became financially viable for homeowners, he decided he needed to become part of the solution rather than just being upset by the problem!

Jay will take you through the process of going solar on Thursday, May 12th at 7 PM, as well as answer any questions you may have. Join us to learn how you, too, can start your solar journey!

The webinars are free and we welcome everyone - please share the good news about solar with your friends and family!

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvfu6oqj0sHt0WG5nyALCzjmxfMnO28Kpt.

From Center for Strategic and International Studies:

Please join CSIS on February 23 for a discussion on Sustainable Development Goal #7: Affordable and Clean Energy which aims to improve access to affordable, modern, and reliable energy, energy efficiency, and investments in energy infrastructure.

According to the International Energy Agency, global electricity demand is estimated to jump 4% this year alone. The share of the global population with access to reliable and modern electricity differs greatly across continents. According to the World Bank, less than half (46.75%) of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa has access to electricity. In many parts of the developing world, energy supply can sometimes be unreliable and costly. The necessary infrastructure to support an efficient energy grid can be expensive, and countries may lack the political will or public funds to invest in such projects. Inefficient energy sources can stymie economic growth and disrupt daily life. Global energy efficiency, for example, can be improved to increase the rate of reliable energy consumption. Scaling up renewable energy sources as part of the global energy mix and increasing the financial flows for cleaner, low-carbon energy sources in the developing world will also be necessary to make progress on SDG #7.

There is good news—the number of people without access to electricity fell from 1.2 billion globally in 2010 to 759 million in 2019. Despite this encouraging progress, Covid-19 has worsened some of the important electricity gains made in recent years. The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of reliable and accessible electricity sources, particularly with the delivery of vaccines, ultracold storage, and broader healthcare infrastructure. The most recent SDG #7 report noted that the world is currently not on track to achieve SDG #7, making it especially difficult to reach its ambitious targets by the deadline of 2030 without significant global action and coordination. This event will explore how global stakeholders can accelerate progress on SDG #7 and the types of investment and coordination efforts necessary to sustainably meet growing global energy demand and increase overall accessibility.

Register here: https://csis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N0c0-60iSKGRFHOhFs19Jw

This event is made possible by generous support from Chevron.

From the Forest Preserves of Cook County:

Making the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon energy future is an undeniable imperative for the United States to attain clean, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all. The 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change has created a strong framework for the governments to move beyond business as usual and to search for a new energy paradigm.

A panel discussion featuring industry leaders will talk about their ambitious goals and bold plans, as well as challenges and successes, to deliver a sustainable energy future that benefits both Cook County residents, the state and the planet.

Panel:

• Vito Greco, Director of Solar Programs for Elevate

• Jamie Meyers, Energy Manager for Cook County Government

• Tom Rohner, Director of Facilities and Fleets for the Forest Preserves of Cook County

Registration Required: Register at https://fpdcc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUucuqvrzMrGtBE5m7YIacOaolkqNMYj9-Y.

From the Illinois Solar Education Association:

Solar Ambassador Jeff Gahris tells his story. He is a semi-retired environmental engineer and current DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner with a passion for protecting the environment for future generations. As an environmental advocate, he sees the value of solar energy as part of an environmentally and economically viable solution to America’s energy needs. Additionally, using solar increased his awareness of how he consumes electricity. "My wife Bonnie and I have reduced electrical household demand substantially through energy efficiency and conservation measures. This means the solar equipment will supply much of what we need."

Jeff will take you through the process of going solar at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, as well as answer any questions you may have. Join us to learn how you, too, can start your solar journey.

The webinars are free and we welcome everyone - please share the good news about solar with your friends and family.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUude-oqzsjE9dujJrWUYH1YyI0Auh2pLuB

Illinois Solar Education Association presents a new webinar discussing solar for public buildings:

Join them at 2 p.m. Thursday, August 12, to learn about the processes in place for towns and municipalities to invest in solar, as well as the impact using renewable energy has had on operations. Since every installation is a little different, this presentation will feature two speakers - Daniel Hebreard, President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and Sarah Grammer, Normal Township Supervisor - and will be moderated by ISEA's Solar Ambassador Jeff Gahris.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckc-qqqzgoGdAtn3i0xAzZoWjGtsciKEVB

From Illinois Solar Education Association:

Mark Weitekamper, a Green LEED certified contractor and realtor in Chicago, knew that going solar was a great way to plan for the future. It was important to him to reduce coal-produced energy and set an example for his neighborhood!

Mark will take you through the process of going solar on Wednesday, July 21st at 1 PM, as well as answer any questions you may have. Join us to learn how you, too, can start your solar journey!

Free registration here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqcuyhqT8tGd1Z8SlGh08NrKHBjbg2OpO3

Illinois Solar Education Association invites you to a Solar Social:

Jeff and Bonnie Gahris installed a PV system on their home 5 years ago and have enjoyed flawless operation. They value the opportunity to reduce their environmental impact while drastically reducing electricity bills, and are happy to share the "solar experience." Light refreshments will be served for this outdoor event.

Register: https://illinoissolar.org/event-4385077

Illinois Solar Education Association invites you to a Solar Social:

Kevin McKee has solar PV on his home, as well as solar thermal panels for heating water, a geothermal HVAC system, and electric cars. He and his family decided to go solar because "we wanted to reduce our use of carbon-based fuel and our impact on the environment. We want to lead by example."

Register: https://illinoissolar.org/event-4312828

Illinois Solar Education Association invites you to a Solar Social:

Karen Roothaan has solar PV on her home, as well as solar thermal panels. She and her family decided to go solar because they wanted to "help the environment, but it has also reduced our bills." Her panels don't supply all of her energy, but she emphasizes that you don't have to "go 100% or nothing. Do what you can and help others start on the path as well."

Register: https://illinoissolar.org/event-4333609

Illinois Solar Education Association invites you to a Solar Social:

Mark Weitekamper has solar PV on his home, as well as an electric vehicle and other energy efficient modifications. He and his family decided to go solar because they wanted to "plan for the future, reduce coal produced energy use, and set an example for the neighborhood. " Mark is also a Green LEED certified contractor and realtor.

Register: https://illinoissolar.org/event-4321615

From Illinois Solar Education Association:

Jay Futterman first became interested in solar out of environmental concerns. As soon as the technology became financially viable for homeowners, he decided he needed to become part of the solution rather than just being upset by the problem!

Jay will take you through the process of going solar on Tuesday, June 22nd at 7 PM, as well as answer any questions you may have. Learn how you, too, can start your solar journey!

The webinars are free and we welcome everyone—please share the good news about solar with your friends and family!

Free registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkc-mtqjIjEtYyJizz2eEv4eo7_19SXWLO

Illinois Solar Education Association invites you to a Solar Social:

Richard Jones has solar PV on his home, as well as backup batteries, a geothermal HVAC system, and electric cars. He and his family decided to go solar because "we wanted to become energy independent and reduce our carbon footprint."

Register: https://illinoissolar.org/event-4312881

From Illinois Solar Education Association:

Scott Willenbrock, a professor of physics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, decided to go solar because of climate change. "We owe it to our children to transition to a sustainable future."

Scott will take you through the process of going solar on Monday, May 24th at 2 PM, as well as answer any questions you may have. Join us to learn how you, too, can start your solar journey!

The webinars are free and we welcome everyone - please share the good news about solar with your friends and family!

Free registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsd-6qqj8uGNPTVOei3CB7wQAED-IOIZmu

From the Illinois Solar Education Association:

Solar Ambassador Kevin McKee will take you through the basics of solar heating at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, as well as answer any questions you may have. At this event, you will learn:

- The difference between solar electricity (PV) and solar heating
- Ways to make your home more energy efficient in heating and cooling
- How passive solar heating works
- How active solar heating works
- Solar water heating
- Solar space heating
- More!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqf-CvrzsqH9f-w3t59_UZSIa-DWT0Jawl

Be sure to keep an eye on ISEA's calendar and sign up for the rest of this new series as presentations are announced! The webinars are free and we welcome everyone - please share the good news about solar with your friends and family!

From the Illinois Solar Education Association:

Jay Futterman first became interested in solar out of environmental concerns. When he moved to Highland Park, he saw trains full of coal on the way to the power plant and thought that he needed to be part of the solution, rather than just being upset by the problem. Jay had his panels installed on his roof in April of 2016. Since then, he has been trying to share his story with others in Illinois. We in Illinois live in an area that solar works well and can save money while providing clean renewable energy and job growth.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqdu6vrzkvHt0g1MO2RmGVEwji1AdBlnOB

From the Illinois Solar Education Association:

Join ISEA Solar Ambassador Jeff Gahris as he tells his Solar Story!

Jeff's interest in solar goes back to when he was a young boy who liked to play with electricity. Now, he is a semi-retired environmental engineer with a passion for protecting the environment for future generations. As an environmental advocate, Jeff sees the value of solar energy as part of an environmentally and economically viable solution to America’s energy needs. Additionally, using solar increased his awareness of how he and his family consume electricity. They have reduced electrical household demand substantially through energy efficiency and conservation measures. This means the solar equipment supplies much of what they need.

Jeff will take you through the process of going solar on Monday, January 4th at 3 PM, as well as answer any questions you may have. Join us to learn how you, too, can start your solar journey!

The webinars are free and we welcome everyone - please share the good news about solar with your friends and family!

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArf-GtrjIjHtPG_8Pr-E-iuOSAj5JNnPsj

From Illinois Solar Energy Association:

Join ISEA Solar Ambassador Peter Gorr as he tells his Solar Story!

Peter and his family decided to go solar because they felt they had a responsibility to future generations: "As parents and grandparents who accept and take the science of climate change seriously, we felt a responsibility to change those parts of our lifestyle that contribute to this most serious of all global crises." Besides the environmental benefits of going solar, Peter also knew it was the right decision financially, both for himself and the local economy - he used a local small business to sell and install the system.

The webinars are free and we welcome everyone. Please share the good news about solar with your friends and family!

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctfuCprDkpH9avmjWhsVkvjQlggjFvk1d8

You can read more about Peter and his system here.

From Illinois Solar Education Association:

Join ISEA Solar Ambassador Mike Bullock as he tells his Solar Story!

Mike installed Solar PV to reduce his carbon footprint and because it is the best financial investment he can make in his home. "We are on a path to electrify everything and meet our energy needs with the sun. With other efficiency improvements, we expect to meet almost 100% of our electricity needs this year from the sun. This includes driving the Volt and providing heat for the house (except for the coldest days)."

Mike will take you through the process of going solar on Thursday, November 19th at 7 PM, as well as answer any questions you may have. Join us to learn how you, too, can start your solar journey!

The webinars are free and we welcome everyone - please share the good news about solar with your friends and family!

You can read more about Mike and his system here.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYud--rrTgpHtNXMRXUKJJBE42BvUeKHJV-

From PlanIt Green:

If you can't put solar panels on your own home, but still want to support renewable energy, you can now subscribe to a community solar project. There's no upfront investment, and you can save money while also supporting local, renewable energy right here in Illinois.

Join Trajectory Energy Partners and PlanItGreen for an online webinar via Zoom of the program details, savings benefits, contract terms, how to sign up, and more.

From PlanIt Green:

If you can't put solar panels on your own home, but still want to support renewable energy, you can now subscribe to a community solar project. There's no upfront investment, and you can save money while also supporting local, renewable energy right here in Illinois.

Join Trajectory Energy Partners and PlanItGreen for an online webinar via Zoom of the program details, savings benefits, contract terms, how to sign up, and more.

From Illinois Solar Education Association:

The Illinois Solar Tour is a series of FREE, virtual open houses located all across the State that demonstrate how Illinois homes and businesses are using solar, wind, geothermal, passive solar design, and energy efficiency to be energy independent. The home and business owners themselves will be providing the tours, and can answer your questions on how you, too, can harness the power of the sun to fuel your homes and businesses!

This year, the Solar Tour will be two-fold:

1. YouTube videos and photos from Hosts, guiding you through their installations. You can see all hosts and videos on the Illinois Solar Tour page here.

2. A series of Live Zoom Solar Tours, hosted by select solar homeowners! This will be your opportunity to ask questions live, and engage with other solar enthusiasts.

Register for a Live Zoom Tour Near You! Click the events below to register. Feel free to attend more than one!

10 AM: Mark Weitekamper, Chicago
10:30 AM: Mike Bullock, West Chicago11 AM: Lisa Elkins, Chicago
11:30 AM: Kevin McKee, Troy12 PM: Peter Gorr, Deer Park
12:30 PM: Jay Futterman, Highland Park
1 PM: Beth Galbreath, Woodridge and Compassion United Methodist Church, Brookfield
1:30 PM: Wendy Vernon, Carol Stream
2 PM: Scott Willenbrock, Champaign
2:30 PM: Jeff Gahris, Wheaton

From PlanIt Green:

If you can't put solar panels on your own home, but still want to support renewable energy, you can now subscribe to a community solar project. There's no upfront investment, and you can save money while also supporting local, renewable energy right here in Illinois.

Join Trajectory Energy Partners and PlanItGreen for an online webinar via Zoom of the program details, savings benefits, contract terms, how to sign up, and more.