Innovative Chicagoland manufacturer transforms its rooftop into a clean energy asset with commercial electrical contractor and EPC, Hardt Electric, reducing operating costs, improving energy independence, and delivering measurable environmental benefits for decades to come.
For more than 30 years, Spherotech has supported scientists, researchers, laboratories, and equipment manufacturers around the world with highly specialized polymer microspheres, microparticles, and nanospheres used in life science research and advanced scientific applications. Headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, Spherotech has earned a global reputation for innovation, precision manufacturing, and technical excellence.
As part of its continued commitment to innovation and responsible business operations, Spherotech recently partnered with Hardt Electric to design and install a high-performance rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its corporate headquarters – an investment that will generate financial return and reduce energy consumption.
A Renewable Energy Investment with Immediate and Long-Term Value
Hardt Electric engineered and installed a 149.4 kW DC / 153.7 kW AC rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system utilizing 360 premium Maxeon solar modules and Enphase microinverters, creating a high-performance renewable energy system capable of producing approximately 199,000 kWh of clean electricity annually under expected operating conditions.
Based on the system design and projected performance, the installation is expected to provide a significant portion of Spherotech’s annual electricity needs, reducing dependence on utility power while helping stabilize long-term energy costs. Utility service from ComEd will continue to supplement facility demand as needed, providing a reliable and resilient energy strategy.
Like many commercial solar projects, the business case extends well beyond environmental stewardship. Through available federal and Illinois renewable energy programs, tax incentives, and long-term energy savings, the project is structured to provide meaningful financial value over its lifetime.
A significant portion of the project’s upfront infrastructure investment was offset through more than $667,000 in available renewable energy incentives and tax benefits, substantially reducing the initial capital required to construct the solar energy system. By lowering the cost of installation, these programs help improve the project’s long-term financial return while making renewable energy more accessible for commercial and industrial facilities.
Combined with the potential for reduced electricity purchases over time and greater protection from future utility rate increases, the system is expected to provide lasting economic value while supporting Spherotech’s long-term operational and sustainability objectives.
Supporting Environmental Sustainability
Beyond the financial return, the new solar energy system represents a meaningful investment in sustainable manufacturing.
By generating nearly half of its electricity onsite from renewable energy, Spherotech will significantly reduce the amount of electricity purchased from the traditional power grid. Over the life of the system, this translates into a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption while supporting cleaner energy production throughout Northern Illinois.
For organizations focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, corporate sustainability goals, or simply lowering their carbon footprint, solar energy provides measurable environmental benefits alongside predictable financial returns.
Why Your Choice of EPC Partner Matters
A successful commercial solar project depends on far more than the solar panels mounted on the roof. Every renewable energy system must be engineered, installed, and interconnected with the building’s electrical infrastructure and the local utility distribution system to ensure it operates safely, reliably, and at peak performance.
As a licensed Electrical Contractor and qualified Distributed Generation Installer, Hardt Electric possesses the specialized expertise required to design, construct, and commission the complete electrical infrastructure that powers commercial solar and energy storage systems. This includes the electrical equipment, switchgear, protection systems, utility interconnection, controls, and all wiring necessary to safely integrate distributed generation facilities that operate in parallel with the utility grid.
Unlike contractors who focus solely on installing solar panels, Hardt Electric delivers complete Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services backed by more than 50 years of commercial and industrial electrical contracting experience throughout the Chicagoland region. For over five decades, businesses have trusted Hardt Electric to build and maintain the complex electrical infrastructure that powers manufacturing facilities, healthcare campuses, commercial buildings, municipal properties, mission-critical facilities, and renewable energy systems.
When organizations invest in renewable energy, they are making a long-term investment in their electrical infrastructure. Partnering with a qualified EPC and experienced electrical contractor like Hardt Electric helps ensure every component—from utility interconnection and electrical distribution to solar generation and battery energy storage – is designed, installed, and commissioned to maximize system performance, reliability, safety, and long-term return on investment.
Commercial solar is not simply a roofing project, it’s a sophisticated electrical infrastructure project. Choosing an experienced, licensed electrical contractor with distributed generation expertise ensures your renewable energy investment is engineered to perform safely, reliably, and efficiently for decades. With more than 50 years serving Chicagoland businesses and over two decades of renewable energy experience, Hardt Electric delivers the technical expertise, skilled workforce, and turnkey EPC capabilities needed to help organizations confidently transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Building a More Sustainable Future
Spherotech’s investment demonstrates how forward-thinking manufacturers can improve operational efficiency while supporting long-term sustainability objectives.
By partnering with Hardt Electric, the company has transformed unused rooftop space into a productive energy asset—one that will continue generating clean electricity, lowering operating expenses, and delivering value for decades to come.
As more Illinois businesses evaluate renewable energy opportunities, projects like Spherotech illustrate how commercial solar has become not only an environmental decision, but also a strategic investment in long-term operational resilience, financial performance, and sustainability.