CHICAGO – Building on his commitment to renewable energy, reducing our dependence on imported energy and creating next generation clean energy jobs, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced almost $1.6 million in grants for businesses and other utility customers in Illinois to install solar thermal energy systems. The Solar Thermal Grant Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), covers up to 30 percent of the cost for installation of a system that heats Illinois businesses and homes through solar energy.

“As energy bills continue to climb, we are constantly looking at ways to increase our use of alternative energy sources that will save families and local businesses money.  Relying more on homegrown energy sources like solar energy will not only make our air cleaner to breathe, but it will also put more people to work. The time has come to make serious investments in alternative energy sources,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

Modern solar panels utilize several different technologies and can produce either electric power or heat energy. The Solar Thermal Grant Program focuses on systems that produce heat energy for large scale applications with a significant heat load such as car washes, commercial laundries, high-density housing developments and public swimming pools.

Solar Service, Incorporated of Niles is a solar thermal business in Illinois that has grown significantly as a result of DCEO support. With their new Solar Thermal Grants totaling $361,464, Solar Service is installing solar thermal hot water systems at nine locations throughout the Chicagoland area including Beecher Elementary School, Wright College, and Conant High School. Solar Service has grown from a one-man operation to a small business with 15 employees and has today designed and installed over 1000 solar systems.

“Gov. Blagojevich is a proven leader in solar energy development, and he is creating jobs while reducing energy costs for businesses in Illinois. With programs such as DCEO’s Solar Thermal Grant Program, he is getting the job done,” said Brandon Leavitt, President of Solar Service.

“The state of Illinois has taken a stand to support alternative energy sources. We need to take advantage of the resources we have here in Illinois, especially solar and wind which are renewable. Solar Service, Inc. of Niles has taken these investments to a new level, and I thank the Governor making these grants available,” said State Senator Ira I. Silverstein (D – Chicago).

“By including advanced energy technology in new development, Illinois is making it clear that we will work with the global community to be conscience of our precious resources,” said John D'Amico (D – Chicago).

Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, with the help their newly awarded solar thermal grant of $264,245, will install two solar thermal hot water systems to heat campus swimming pools at Anderson Hall and Gabel Hall. The project will save natural gas energy, provide educational benefits and raise community awareness regarding renewable energy technologies. Northern Illinois University is a comprehensive research and education institution with a student enrollment of more than 25,000.

Chicago’s Pacific Garden Mission, which provides beds and rehabilitation programs for 950 homeless people a night, used their Solar Thermal Grant of $132,198 to install a solar thermal hot water system at their new facility, dedicated earlier this month. The new facility features an energy efficient design, a green roof, greenhouses, and solar energy, making Pacific Garden Mission America’s first green rescue mission.

“The Pacific Garden Mission has brought salvation for the city’s homeless for over a century. Today, in their new facility, they are bringing warmth to those from the street with the power of the sun,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

“The Governor’s Solar Thermal Grant Program has made it fiscally possible for new development to invest in solar heating. I am pleased the state has invested so prominently in this energy source,” said State Representative Kenneth Dunkin (D-Chicago).

Nationwide, Illinois is a pioneer in offering solar energy programming. DCEO also administers the Illinois Solar Energy Rebate Program in which homeowners, small businesses, and other electric and gas utility customers in Illinois are eligible for awards of up to 30 percent of the cost of solar energy system installations, with a maximum rebate grant of $10,000 per customer.

“Gov. Blagojevich understands that strategically investing in renewable energy is both an environmentally and economically sound decision. These grants are helping Illinois citizens reduce their energy costs while promoting clean, renewable energy,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

Below is a full list of the projects:

Name	Address	City	GrantTotal
10th District Police Station	3315 W. Ogden Avenue	Chicago	$127,732
16th District Police Station	1160 N. Larrabee	Chicago	$127,732
Beecher Elementary School	101 E. Church Street	Beecher	$12,430
Conant High School	700 East Cougar Trail	Hoffman Estates	$14,688
David Lee Animal Shelter	2741 S. Western	Chicago	$153,000
Dynaprop Wabash, LLC – Eco 18	1818 S. Wabash	Chicago	$78,750
Elmhurst College	190 S. Prospect Avenue	Elmhurst	$48,300
HRT Development– Artesian Green	1330 N. Artesian	Chicago	$10,800
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation- Clara’s Village	1111 N. Wells Street Suite 305	Chicago	$53,850
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation- Coppin House	1111 N. Wells Street Suite 305	Chicago	$78,624
Lawndale Douglass	6556 N. Bosworth	Chicago	$27,205
Northern Illinois University	Dorland Building 116	DeKalb	$264,245
Notre Dame High School	7655 W. Dempster Street	Niles	$65,988
Pacific Garden Mission	1458 S. Canal Street	Chicago	$132,198
Pershing Group, LLC	2671-B North Greenview	Chicago	$42,816
Pullman Bay Estates	11141 Langley	Chicago	$103,455
Taco Burrito King	6701 W. Touhy Avenue	Niles	$15,498
Turnstone Development	175 W. Jackson	Chicago	$56,496
Village of Oak Park	129 Lake Street	Oak Park	$25,500
Wexenthaller Realty	707 N. Sheridan Road	Chicago	$35,136
William Fremd High School	100 S. Quentin Road	Palatine	$48,600;
Wright College	4300 N. Narragansett	Chicago	$15,776