Photovoltaics (PV) For Residential  »

Solar-electricity, or photovoltaics (PV) converts sunlight directly into electricity. You may be more familiar with PV cells as solar cells that power watches and calculators. But PV can do much more. It can provide electricity for residential and commercial buildings, including power for lights, appliances and air conditioning. PV can also be a convenient source of power for pumping water, off grid applications, or aerating ponds in remote applications.

As an energy-conscious consumer, you want to do all you can to use energy efficiently and add more clean, renewable energy to your life. This section contains information and analysis tools to help you evaluate your options and make an informed decision. If you've already decided to install solar electric panels (also called photovoltaic or PV panels) on your roof, you've given it careful thought and considered all the benefits of using a reliable, abundant, and environmentally smart source of energy — the sun. If you haven't decided yet, we hope the information in these pages will help you make a decision about purchasing PV system for your home.

Contact EWSE and one of our renewable energy specialist will be happy to answer any questions you may have about solar for your home.


» How does it work?
Here you can view entertaining and educational presentation about how solar energy is produced.

  Solar Thermal / Heating for Customers  »
Today's solar-heating systems can keep swimming pools warm and be used to heat much of the water and interior space at home. Solar-heating systems are reliable, adaptable, and pollution-free.

Understanding Solar Heating
Solar heating uses the energy of the sun to heat air or water, which can be used for a variety of applications. Active solar-heating uses pumps that move air or liquid from the solar collector directly to a load (such as the building space heating or hot water system) or to storage for later use in the design and structure of the house to collect and distribute heat throughout the building. If interested in learning more of the technical terms associated with solar-heating systems, view the glossary.

NOW IS THE TIME TO GO SOLAR!

For Homeowners: Residential solar systems are eligible for a 30% uncapped Federal   Solar Tax Credit and the State of Illinois offers a 30% Rebate capped at $10,000.

For Businesses: Commercial solar systems are eligible for a 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit and the State of Illinois offers grant programs providing up to 30% of the cost of a solar system capped at $250,000.

This important law significantly increases the affordability and financial return on a solar system for both residential and commercial, making it one of the safest and best investments available  today.

Read more about the Federal Solar Tax Credit and State Rebate programs, follow this link to the Find State and Local Incentives  Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIREUSA.org).