National Solar Tour Stops in Stelle, Illinois
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2010 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.  

The Center for Sustainable Community and several Stelle area residents are hosting the Stelle, Illinois stop on this year's National Solar Tour. Visitors can observe some of the latest solar technologies in several of the existing homes. You are free to arrive anytime after 10:00 and either walk around town on a map-assisted, self-guided tour or join us for any portion of our guided tours which begin at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm.

Stelle ‘Solar Home Tour' Highlights:
•An affordable solar backup system
•A combination solar hot water and solar electric
  residential system
•Passive solar design and “green” materials
•Stelle's solar powered phone company
•Illinois' first straw bale home - includes solar
  and wind applications
•10kw Bergey wind generator (helps power the
  community water plant)

Additional Attractions:
•Tour of Permaculture yard by Bill Wilson of
  Midwest Permaculture.  Bill will also show his
  new aquaponics demonstration.
•Tour of CSC Community Gardens by
  CSC Land Manager, Jerry Carter. Includes gardens, orchard, chicken co-op
  pond and meadow.
•Lunch available from Carmen’s Deli of Herscher
•Bake Sale/Fundraiser for Stelle parks
•Goods for sale from local artists
•Information booths from local organizations
















Schedule of Events

(Subject to change without notice, the times stated are our best guesstimates.)

You are welcome to join any part, or all of this tour. Susan Fisher will give an overview of the community as you walk about stopping at a number of homes to learn more about a variety of solar applications. You will have the opportunity to learn a little about Stelle's history and what makes the community unique today.  Tour starts at the Center for Sustainable Community office. (see map of Stelle). Click here for an article about Stelle's various renewable energy features.

Please Note:  The Haeme’s strawbale home is not on the walking tour as it is too far away to walk to.  Jon will be available throughout the day to talk with visitors about his home, including its solar systems. See map for directions to the Haeme’s.

10:00 am – Arrive in Stelle

10:30 – 12:00 Walking Tour of Stelle (meet in front of Community Center)

10:30-11:00 Permaculture/Aquaponics presentation (125 Crescent Ln)

11:15-11:45 CSC Garden Tour (meet at basketball court)

11:30– 1:30 Lunch available for purchase in the Stelle Community Center. 

1:30 – 3:00 Walking Tour of Stelle (meet in front of Community Center)

1:30-2:00 Permaculture/Aquaponics presentation (125 Crescent Ln)

2:15-2:45 CSC Garden Tour (meet at basketball court)

3:00 – 4:00 If you haven’t been there yet, now would be a great time to drive over to the Haeme’s.  Also, make sure you check out the offerings of our local vendors.

4:00 Tour ends






Stops Along the Walking Tour

Renie Emery and Kermit Wagoner’s Home

This home provides an example of an affordable solar backup system.

Mark and Rhonda Wilkerson’s Home

Completed in 2004, the Wilkerson’s home combines photovoltaic with solar hot water.  Mark will give a full tour of their home, including an overview of what has transpired over the last 30 years in regard to the availability, cost and efficiency of solar panels and batteries.

Wayne and Bev Malchow's Home

Completed this year, the Malchow's home features passive solar design; Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) wall system; radiant heat, stained concrete
floors; steel roof; clay plaster and other “green” finishes.

Stelle Telephone Company

Stelle's solar powered phone company (presented by Tim Wilhelm)

Jon and June Haeme’s Strawbale Home with PV

A bit too far to walk but well worth the 3½ mile drive, the Haeme's home was the first strawbale home built in Illinois.  Jon works for Trina Solar as a technical support manager.  He used his solar powered work trailer to power all his tools to build the home. About 30 residents of Stelle helped Jon and June stack the strawbales in a single day.  Jon will also talk about the ARE 110 wind generator and its energy saving features.  (Click here to view a Home Power article about Jon and June's home.)

Enjoy Your Day!

Bring your friends and an appetite for information about solar and wind energy.

If you have any questions you may call 815-256-2204 or email csc@stelle.net. No reservations or pre-registration are necessary, except that larger groups (12 or more) are encouraged to call or email ahead.







Passive Solar Design and "green" materials were used in the Malchow's home.
Stelle's Solar Phone Company
Can you identify all of the solar and "green" technologies in this photo of the Wilkerson's home?