Oct 9, 2025, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Academy for Global Citizenship, 4942 W 44th St, Chicago, IL 60638
Cost: $10.00
Event Contact: Twyla Neely-Streit | Email
Continuing Education: Approved for 1 LU AIA CES Credit; Eligible to self-report for GBCI CE hours
Planning Solar Right: Avoiding Pitfalls in Net Zero Projects
Join Illinois Green for a site tour of the Academy for Global Citizenship solar array followed by an educational panel that will explore how project teams can strategically plan for incorporating solar into their designs.
Tour: 4:00 - 4:50 PM
Panel: 5:00 - 6:00 PM
About the Session:
In the early wave of net -zero building design, success often hinged on the amount of solar that could fit on a project’s roof. Today, net zero projects prioritize building envelope and system efficiency, often leaving solar as an afterthought—with the hope that it will perform correctly down the line. When projects finally reach the execution and testing stages, under-performing solar can become a costly risk.
During this session, members of Windfree Solar’s design, planning, and operations teams will share their lessons learned in order to equip owners and designers with necessary solar design and planning considerations to help mitigate those risks. Whether you’re planning your first net zero building or have already faced these challenges, you’ll gain a clear solar planning roadmap, learn how to avoid common pitfalls, and discover ways to improve cost-effectiveness and stay ahead of the industry curve.
About the Tour:
The Academy for Global Citizenship solar installation consists of three distinct arrays: a ground mount, a roof mount, and a bike rack canopy. The tour will walk participants through the two ground-level systems, identifying the components and pointing out key elements that affect cost and production. In addition, the tour will look at the electrical room and provide participants with a view of the physical coordination necessary to adequately connect the PV to the building system.
Learning Objectives:
- List the factors that influence solar electricity output and determine which factors can be managed through design or operational decisions.
- Identify three approaches to solar planning and compare their advantages, disadvantages, and appropriate applications.
- Select appropriate tools for solar design decision-making based on project stage and required level of accuracy.
- Evaluate solar design and planning strategies in the context of rapid technological advancements.
Speakers:
Joseph Clair, Vice President, Commercial, Windfree Solar
David Meihaus, Chief of Commercial Construction, Windfree Solar
Cynthia Myers, Electrician / Head of Service, Windfree Solar
Mona Shabani, Senior Engineer, Windfree Solar
