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The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County installed solar-thermal hot water systems in the restrooms in Hidden Lake in unincorporated DuPage County near Downers Grove.
The solar-thermal system work with natural gas or electric hot water heaters. Solar panels were placed on the building’s roof to preheat water using energy from the sun. Using the sun’s energy reduces or eliminates the use of natural gas or electricity.
Jason Berger of the Forest Preserve District’s Structural Maintenance Department said the solar panels will work on cloudy days and through cold weather.
“The systems are designed to last at least 20 years with little to no maintenance,” Berger said in a press release. “The long-term savings of both utility costs and conventional energy resources will be beneficial.”
The Forest Preserve District received a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation which funded 25 percent of the project. A rebate from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program funded 30 percent.
Along with Downers Grove, the solar-thermal systems were installed in restrooms in Springbrook Prairie in Naperville and Spring Creek Reservoir in Bloomingdale.
Systems were also placed in the headquarters building at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton and a maintenance facility at Blackwell Forest Preserve in West Chicago.
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County installed solar-thermal hot water systems in the restrooms in Hidden Lake in unincorporated DuPage County near Downers Grove.
The solar-thermal system work with natural gas or electric hot water heaters. Solar panels were placed on the building’s roof to preheat water using energy from the sun. Using the sun’s energy reduces or eliminates the use of natural gas or electricity.
Jason Berger of the Forest Preserve District’s Structural Maintenance Department said the solar panels will work on cloudy days and through cold weather.
“The systems are designed to last at least 20 years with little to no maintenance,” Berger said in a press release. “The long-term savings of both utility costs and conventional energy resources will be beneficial.”
The Forest Preserve District received a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation which funded 25 percent of the project. A rebate from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Solar and Wind Energy Rebate Program funded 30 percent.
Along with Downers Grove, the solar-thermal systems were installed in restrooms in Springbrook Prairie in Naperville and Spring Creek Reservoir in Bloomingdale.
Systems were also placed in the headquarters building at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton and a maintenance facility at Blackwell Forest Preserve in West Chicago.
