Birthplace of Solar Power - Olney, IL - Roadside Attractions on Waymarking.com

County of marker: Richland County
Location of marker: White Squirrel Dr. & N. West St. (IL-130), entrance to Olney City Park, Olney
marker erected by: The Native Sun Project, W.E. Jones and The Illinois State Historical Society
Date marker erected: 1986

No hours listed below, because it is now a city park, and dawn to dusk rules apply

Marker Text:

SOLAR POWER IN OLNEY, ILLINOIS In 1902, the first experimental solar power plant was built in Olney, Illinois by H.E. Willsie and John Boyle, Jr., two American engineers. Their solar power plant was based on an 1885 design developed by the French engineer Tellier. Between 1892 and 1908 Willsie and Boyle experimented with their low temperature solar plants that utilized "Hot Boxes" to heat water. Their "Hot Box" solar power plant was patented in 1903. The results were published on May 13th 1909 in the issue of Engineering News.

Price of Admission: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Roadside Attractions Website: [Web Link] Location Website: [Web Link] Weekday Hours: Not listed Weekend Hours: Not listed

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