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UNIVERSITY PARK—Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn saluted Governor’s State University for its new solar thermal energy project which will be the largest solar thermal system in Illinois. The solar thermal energy project will pre-heat water for the University’s Olympic-size swimming pool and provide domestic hot water for most of its campus.
“This week we celebrate Earth Week and as Chairman of the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council, I salute Governor’s State University for its commitment to All-American energy,” said Quinn. “Developing sound All-American energy sources like solar energy is critical to reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.”
In 2004, Governor’s State University received grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity ($150,000) and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation ($ 65,323) to install the solar thermal system. The project is expected to be completed this May by Solar Service, Inc. of Niles, Illinois.
"Gov. Blagojevich, Lt. Gov. Quinn, and I are excited to be supporting the state's largest solar panel installation and increasing the visibility and use of this important energy source,” said Jack Lavin, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “By making investments to support new, renewable energy technologies, we are helping to keep our energy dollars in Illinois and supporting job creation in new, renewable energy industries."
The solar thermal system consists of 64 glass-covered solar collectors that will be installed on the roof of the gymnasium. Inside each collector are metal tube risers through which a solution of water and propylene glycol will flow. As the glass absorbs the solar energy, it refracts the heat to the metal risers which heats the water solution.
The solution of water and propylene glycol is first pumped through a series of heat exchangers and then into 318 storage tanks located in the university’s power plant. From there, the solution will be pumped through another series of heat exchangers and will be transferred to the hot water heater where the clean water will be sent to the swimming pool, lavatories, and shower rooms throughout the university campus.
The solar thermal system has a life expectancy of more than 30 years and is expected to save Governor’s State University $10,000 per year. As gas prices increase, savings are expected to increase as well.
Quinn was joined by Sen. Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete), President Stuart Fagan, John Tuohy, Vice-President of Administration and Planning, and Susan Rakstang, Interim Director of Physical Plant for Governor’s State University. Brandon Leavitt, Solar Specialist of Solar Service, Inc. was also in attendance.
Quinn is also Chairman of the Blackout Solutions Task Force which examined ways the state could cut electric demand, promote energy efficiency and utilize alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass.
The Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council promotes the incorporation of pollution prevention and resource conservation practices into government management and operations.
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