About 20 Evanston homeowners could get free rooftop solar panels installed through a new city program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Applications for Evanston Sun Power are open through June 30. The program covers the full cost of designing, building, and installing a rooftop solar system for qualifying low- and moderate-income households.

To qualify, household income must be at or below 120% of the area median income: $102,120 for one person, $116,650 for two, $131,280 for three, and $145,800 for four. Winners will be chosen by lottery.

The city is partnering with Jefferson Park-based Windfree Solar, which also operates a café at 517 Dempster St. in Evanston's Main-Dempster Mile corridor, to handle installations. City Council approved the contract with Windfree Solar in November 2025.

Windfree Solar CEO Eric Heineman said the program addresses a gap in existing solar incentives. "The challenge with solar in general is you need cash or you need good credit or, you know, you need to get financing to take advantage of some of the programs that the state has, and that doesn't always work with low to moderate-income folks," Heineman said.

He compared Evanston Sun Power to Cook County's Sun and Save program, which also provides free installations to income-qualifying homeowners.

Funding came through a Department of Energy earmark requested by then-U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. The city has not disclosed the total grant amount.

Two upcoming recruitment events will be held at the Windfree Solar café, 517 Dempster St.: Wednesday, June 24 from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and Thursday, June 25 from 3 to 6 p.m. Applicants who attend will receive free drip coffee and a $3 pastry coupon. Spanish-language assistance will be available at the June 24 event.