Homeowners and business people.
Those are key targets of Garrett Schweikhofer, founder and CEO of Batavia-based SunHeat Solar, Inc.
Friday, April 14 he extolled benefits of solar power in a presentation at Aurora Business United, a networking group that meets monthly at Santori Aurora Public Library in downtown Aurora.
He said, “Illinois is committed to going 100% solar by 2050. The power to change (to) solar is good for our people and our planet.”
According to Schweikhofer, solar benefits include reduced air pollution, lower lifetime electricity bills, stable electricity costs (no increases), increased values of homes and businesses, job creation from manufacturing to construction and business-accelerated depreciation.
Financial incentives make sense, he said. He cited a 30% federal tax credit, a 30% federal nonprofit rebate, a state “Illinois Shines” rebate up to 50% and a Com Ed battery rebate of $300 per KW.
He estimates a $25,000 installation, after federal and State incentives, will cost $5,000 and yield $1,200 in energy savings annually. Payback time, he said, is five years with lifetime savings of $40,000.
He suggested prospective users learn about solar by attending training workshops, town hall meetings, ecology-group events.
According to Schweikhofer, since 2008, SunHeat Solar has become a top regional solar integrator by working with customers to reduce energy usage and go solar by providing energy efficient solutions and practical solar energy systems.
Aurora Business United meets at 7:30 a.m on the second Friday at Santori Aurora Public Library, 101 S. River Street in Aurora.
The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.
—Al Benson