Solar Service Inc. Announces First Community College in Illinois to Utilize Solar Energy

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wright Community College, located at 4300 N. Narragansett Ave. in Chicago, recently installed two solar systems. One solar system generates electricity for the lights in the parking garage and prevents an estimated 2 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. The other solar system produces 400 gallons of hot water daily for the campus and prevents an estimate 6 tons of carbon emissions annually. Both systems were designed and installed by Solar Service Inc. of Niles, Illinois.

“We got the largest bang for our buck by heating our domestic hot water in the science building”

The school’s goal is to utilize renewable energy to lower utility bills, educate students and the community about solar energy and protect the environment. Wright Community College launched a Building Energy Technologies curriculum in the fall of 2006. This program educates students about practical applications of renewable energy and energy efficiency. “These new solar systems will serve as ideal learning tools for this curriculum, the environmental club, and the community as a whole. The solar systems are a focal point for both our educational curriculum and for our community activities” said David R. Inman, Project Manager for the Building Energy Technologies Program. “Wright is an active member in the surrounding community and we will certainly let the community know we are utilizing solar energy and offer tours.”

The 1.8 kW solar electric system consists of ten panels and is an awning mounted system on the parking garage. The solar hot water system consists of six solar collectors that are mounted to the penthouse wall of the science building. The system feeds hot water to the cafeteria and the science labs and is mounted as a 10 ft. by 25 ft. awning. “It is rare to see an awning mounted system of this size,” said Bruno Zaucha, a Renewable Energy Specialist for Solar Service Inc. “The school wanted to avoid roof penetrations, so Solar Service proposed an awning mount.”

“We got the largest bang for our buck by heating our domestic hot water in the science building,” said David R Inman. Solar hot water systems are the least expensive way to heat water in Illinois. Grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and the Illinois Renewable Energy Resource Program administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity paid for a majority of the system cost.

Photos available upon request.