Cook County Local Energy Project, CCLEP, recently published Going Solar: A Cook County Guide. This 38-page guide is designed to raise local awareness of the benefits of photovoltaic (PV) systems and to assist Cook County landowners in evaluating the best options.
The Guide is packed with information about how PV systems work, how to decide what type and size system to install, how to estimate cost and examples of local installations. There are financial resources, checklists, calculators and more.
For those wanting to get to the basics, CCLEP has produced a brochure, Grid Connected or Stand Alone? featuring a fun flow chart and things to consider. It highlights the basic steps used in designing and choosing a system.
Both publications will be used in workshops that CCLEP will give on installing a PV system. The next workshop is Tuesday evening, Sept. 8 at North House Folk School and a tour of installations in the Hovland area on Saturday morning, Sept. 12. These events are free.
Both documents are on the CCLEP website, www.cookcountylocalenergy.org. Hard copies are available at the Grand Marais Public Library and several other public places.
The largest financial incentive currently active is the 30 percent federal tax credit that is available until Dec. 31, 2016. Now is the time to consider and plan a solar PV installation.
This project is made possible by a grant from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation.