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Is a solar energy system right for me?

Solar energy uses one of the earth’s most bountiful and free renewable resources: the sun. Solar energy systems harness energy from sunlight and convert it into electricity or heat that you can use to power your home or to heat your home and water-saving money, electricity, and gas. There are many factors to consider when deciding if a solar energy system is right for you: structure of your home, ground-mounted verse roof-mounted, photovoltaic (commonly called PV, used to produce electricity) verse solar thermal (used to produce heat for water or air), affordability, reliability, availability of sunlight, and much more. Visit the Education tab to explore definitions, informative videos, and more.


Check out the Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar for an all-in-one resource as you begin to think about solar on your home.


Solar Infograph


Are you ready to install solar on your home?

Follow these steps:

  1. Educate yourself on solar system options.
  2. Conduct a site assessment to determine if solar is a viable option for your home.
  3. After you've determined that your home is suitable for solar, hire a certified installer.
  4. Review the Will County Residential Solar Permitting Checklist & Guide.
  5. Install your chosen system.  The Will County Building Permit application website can be found here.
  6. Explore financing your new solar project. Visit the Funding Your Project page to learn more.

Solar Mapping Tools

See what solar is doing for local jobs using the Solar Jobs Census 2016.

Want to get a rough idea about your home’s solar potential? Visit Google’s Project Sunroof!

Looking for a more detailed snapshot of solar on your rooftop? Input potential system info and review the economics of a solar project at your residence using the National Renewable Energy Lab’s (NREL) PV Watts calculator.

Learn about Solar from People with Solar: Getting Started

Buying & Installing a Photovoltaic Solar Roof
Solar Energy and Solar Panel Installation In Depth