Spire Corp. (Bedford, MA) announced that Spire Solar Chicago has installed 50-kW solar electric systems on each of the roofs of three major Chicago museums: the Art Institute of Chicago, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, and Chicago Historical Society.

These photovoltaic (PV) systems can deliver about 180 MWh annually — enough electricity to power up to 30 homes. Together with the 49-kW Field Museum of Natural History PV system, completed by Spire last June, these installations are said to be the largest solar projects in Illinois.

The three museum systems are part of a multi-year, multi-site program of solar power installations that Spire is completing in cooperation with the City of Chicago, Commonwealth Edison, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA).

Publication date: 01/28/2002