When you picture Chicago, solar panels probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind. Between the famous deep-dish pizza and that chilly lake effect wind, there's a persistent myth that solar power in Chicago is about as practical as a snowball fight in July. But let's cut to the chase - does the Windy City really lack solar energy, or is this just another case of Midwest modesty hiding some bright innovation
Contact online >>
When you picture Chicago, solar panels probably aren't the first thing that comes to mind. Between the famous deep-dish pizza and that chilly lake effect wind, there's a persistent myth that solar power in Chicago is about as practical as a snowball fight in July. But let's cut to the chase - does the Windy City really lack solar energy, or is this just another case of Midwest modesty hiding some bright innovations?
Let's start by addressing the elephant in the room - Chicago's weather. Sure, we're not Arizona. The city averages about 2,500 annual sunshine hours compared to Phoenix's 3,872. But here's the kicker: modern solar panels work just fine in diffused light. In fact, Germany - a global solar leader - gets less sunlight than Chicago!
While everyone's talking about the Bean and the Sears Tower, Chicago's been quietly building a solar empire:
Here's where it gets interesting. Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) offers:
Take the case of Bridgeport resident Maria Gonzalez. She installed panels in 2021 and now covers her entire electric bill while earning $80/month in SREC income. "The payback period was faster than my kid's college degree," she jokes.
Solar innovation is changing the game:
ComEd's smart inverters now help manage grid fluctuations - crucial for those blustery days when production swings 40% in an hour. It's like having a solar traffic controller!
It's not the weather. The real challenges?
But the Chicago Solar Partnership aims to triple residential installations by 2030. They're even training former oil workers as solar installers - talk about energy transition!
With 62 MW installed citywide and growing, Chicago's solar scene is hotter than a summer sidewalk. The latest trend? Solar canopies over parking lots. Millennium Garages plans to cover 4,200 spaces with panels - enough to power 1,000 homes annually.
As local installer Jake Thompson puts it: "We Chicagoans know how to handle weather. My panels outproduced my cousin's system in Austin last February. Let's see Texas do that during a polar vortex!"
Visit our Blog to read more articles
We are deeply committed to excellence in all our endeavors.
Since we maintain control over our products, our customers can be assured of nothing but the best quality at all times.