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Renewable energy from wind, solar and biomass holds great
promise for reducing America's dependence on imported and polluting
energy sources. By working with public and nonprofit partners, the Foundation
helps organizations harness these vital renewable energy resources.
The Foundation's renewable energy grant programs include
support for:
Guidelines
- Installation of building-integrated solar photovoltaic
(PV) systems or other renewable energy systems that earn points
toward attainment of a "LEED Silver" or higher "green"
building rating.
- Projects demonstrating the market viability of solar, thermal,
biomass, fuel cells or emerging renewable technologies.
- Community-based wind power generation serving the on-site
energy needs of community institutions such as schools, colleges and
municipal facilities.
- Programs designed to develop consumer demand and training
to advance for renewable energy throughout Illinois.
Success Stories
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Saint Monica Academy -- Chicago,
IL
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Grantee: Illinois Solar Schools
(grants to 52 schools throughout Illinois)
Amount: $520,000
Date: 2006 - 2007
In 2006, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
launched its Solar PV Program for K-12 Schools that funds the
installation of solar electric systems (also called photovoltaic
or PV systems) at K-12 schools by awarding grants of up to $10,000
to cover the cost of installing a new 1 kilowatt PV system at
the school. To date, 52 schools have been awarded grants through
this program. Many have already completed their installation,
held Solarbrations, and integrated teaching about renewable
energy into their curriculum.
The solar installations let students see first-hand
on a daily basis how sunlight is converted to electricity, raise
awareness and demonstrate the benefits of solar power as a clean,
ready and available source of renewable energy in Illinois.
To enhance the educational value of the Solar PV Program for
K-12 Schools, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
also launched a new website, www.IllinoisSolarSchools.org.
This site provides on-line monitoring and real-time data on
the amount of electricity generated by the photovoltaic system
at each solar school. An interactive map shows the location
of all the solar schools in Illinois. Teachers can use this
data in lessons on renewable energy, science and math.
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University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, IL
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Grantee: University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, 2007 National Solar Decathlon Team
Amount: $150,000
Date: 2006-2007
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was
selected as one of 20 finalists from around the world to compete
in the 2007 National Solar House Decathlon competition sponsored
by the US Department of Energy. This international contest brings
teams of university students together to design, build, and
operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered
homes to demonstrate that they are both technically feasible
and practically acceptable.
To support the UIUC student team, the Foundation
awarded a grant of $150,000 for the purchase of PV equipment
to power the house and for the design and engineering of the
system, as well as to document and disseminate lessons from
this application. UIUC won first place in the Decathlons' Market
Viability and Comfort contests. The Market Viability contest
evaluates whether the house has market appeal and is well suited
for everyday living - and if it could be built easily and accommodate
a variety of potential homeowners. The Comfort Zone contest
evaluates how well the home remains at a steady, uniform and
comfortable temperature and humidity throughout.
In addition to collecting two first place ribbons
in a national competition, the solar house demonstrated the
talent of Illinois college students, offered a glimpse of the
potential of solar in the future, and captured the attention
of a large number of people on renewable energy.
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Wind-Powered School,
Bureau County
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Grantee: Bureau Valley Community
Unit Schools
Amount: Two grants totaling $351,678
Date: October 2002 and December 2003
Bureau Valley High School in Manlius, Illinois,
is the first school in the state to own and operate a utility-sized
wind turbine. The 660-kilowatt turbine, which came on-line in
early 2005, fully powers the high school when it is generating
at maximum capacity. The Bureau Valley school district expects
the turbine to generate enough electricity to offset $100,000
per year in utility purchases.
The Foundation supported this project through
a $20,000 grant for a feasibility study in 2002. When that study
showed a turbine to be viable, the Foundation awarded a grant
of $331,678 (roughly one-third of the construction budget) in
late 2003 to support the installation.
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