solar panels

The Park District of Oak Park’s Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex will soon be powered by 100 kW of solar energy. Realgy, LLC announced the installation of a 100.8 kilowatt (kWDC) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Rec Center which houses an indoor ice rink and outdoor pool serving the Oak Park community.

The solar PV system is being installed on the roof of the ice rink. Jan Arnold, Executive Director of the PDOP stated: “The Solar system will reduce not only our operating expenses but our carbon foot print. The park district is always looking to expand solar opportunities to increase sustainability as well as improve our overall environmental conditions.” This project will help to make the building a LEED Certified Gold Building, the first of its kind in the Chicago area.

The solar PV system is being installed by Eco Solar Solutions of Morton Grove, Illinois. “Ridgeland has a relatively new metal roof with southern exposure making it an ideal candidate for solar,” said Terry Black, Director of Business Development for Eco Solar Solutions. “When the center is using the most electricity during the summer months, the system will be producing at its peak. This projects fits in perfectly with the sustainable efforts of everyone involved in the project.”

Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy service supplier in Illinois and is the owner of 6 solar PV systems, including our newest at Ridgeland. Realgy is paying for the installation so as to generate renewable energy locally as part of its sustainable commitment in Illinois.

The Ridgeland PV Solar system will produce over 125,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and more than 3.1 million kWh over the next 25 years. That is enough energy to power over 12 average Illinois homes annually. Beyond the economic value are the environmental and health benefits associated with the PV system. Consider the following:

  1. Reduction of 337,500 lbs. of coal burned each year to produce an equal amount of electricity. That is the same as getting 337 pickup trucks of coal off the road.
  2. Substituting the use of coal means the removal of 87,500 lbs. of CO2 into the environment each year. That is the equivalent of planting 6,731 trees.

“We expect to complete the installation by Christmas,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy, LLC. “The Ridgeland PV project builds on our commitment of reducing the cost and providing the environmental benefits of renewable energy to our customers in Illinois.”

Realgy entered into a long term agreement with the Park District under which the District pays nothing for the Solar PV system, its installation or maintenance. Ridgeland simply remains a customer of Realgy and pays only the market-based cost of power it uses (averaging 5% below COMED rates). In addition, the Park District will receive a discount of about 10% as a result of having the solar energy displace energy that would otherwise be delivered (and charged) by COMED.

Contacts:

Chris Lindgren
Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
218 Madison St
Oak Park, Il 60302
708-725-2050
chris.lindgren@pdop.com

ECO SOLAR Solutions, LLC.eco
Paul Szczesny, President
847-220-8786
paul@eco-solar-solutions.com
www.eco-solar-solutions.com

Realgy Energy Services, LLCrealgy energy services good quality
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
www.realgyenergyservices.com