Winnetka homeowners curious about putting solar panels on their roofs can get answers from people who've already done it at a free workshop at the Winnetka Public Library.

The village is hosting a Solar Power Hour on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library, 768 Oak Street. Grace Concialdi, solar outreach coordinator for the Citizens Utility Board, will lead a presentation, and Village of Winnetka representatives will walk through installation options and take questions. Local homeowners who have gone solar will also share what they learned from the process.

The event is free.

The timing is notable. The federal 30% residential solar tax credit expired Dec. 31, 2025, which means state and local incentives now carry more weight for homeowners weighing the investment. Winnetka launched a new solar rebate in 2026 offering residential utility customers up to $3,000 for solar energy systems, at a rate of $300 per kilowatt of capacity up to 10 kW, according to the village's rebate program page. Illinois's Shines program also remains active: a typical 7.5 kW residential system in ComEd territory can earn approximately $9,140 in renewable energy credit payments, with half paid in the first year.

The workshop is part of a statewide CUB program that brought similar Solar Power Hour events to Skokie in August and Highland Park in June. CUB staffed 224 free consumer events across Illinois in 2025.

Winnetka's electricity rates sit at $0.1787 per kilowatt-hour in winter and $0.1905 in summer, costs that increased in 2026, according to village utility data. The Village Council adopted Winnetka's first Climate Action Plan in late July 2026, setting a goal of reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2040. Residential solar adoption is one piece of that effort.

The village's announcement does not list any registration requirement. Residents with questions can reach the village sustainability office at [email protected] or 847-716-3515.