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Participants will have the opportunity
to see firsthand the successful use of many forms of renewable
energy, including passive solar design, wind energy, solar hot water
and solar-electric generating systems in a variety of buildings.
Strategies for integrating solar into buildings and the benefits --
such as lowering electric utility costs by as much as 60 percent and
increasing comfort for building residents -- will be discussed in
detail.
This year's tour is expected to draw as
many as 40,000 visitors nationwide. Last year, more than 33,000
people toured 1,750 homes, schools and other buildings in 45 states.
"The National Solar Tour gives people
the chance to meet directly with others who have incorporated energy
efficiency and solar design features in their buildings to save
energy," says Brad Collins, American Solar Energy Society executive
director. "Visitors can experience the comfort of increased daylight
in buildings, learn about the benefits of solar and other forms of
renewable energy, watch electric meters run backwards, and see the
actual savings on utility bills in buildings in their community. But
most importantly, they can learn from their neighbors what works in
their town."
Many local tours showcase a variety of
buildings, such as traditional city and suburban homes with solar
features, schools and business offices integrating passive solar
design, solar hot water and solar-electric generating systems, and
rural homes not connected to the public utility grid.
Tour coordinators are working in
communities nationwide to organize visits to solar buildings in each
area. In addition to receiving tour maps and background materials on
solar energy, tour participants can talk with homeowners and
business owners about why and how they integrated solar designs into
their buildings.
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Like many of the first-time attendees
on the National Solar Tour, a number of the people showing their
homes or businesses knew little or nothing about solar design and
solar electric generation before deciding to integrate it into their
buildings. Having made the decision to go solar, building owners
report satisfaction not only with their buildings and energy costs,
but also with the fact that they are producing energy that does not
add to global warming or cause pollution when it is imported and
transported yet again.
The nearest local tour will be at Stelle
on Sunday (Oct. 3). For information, visit
http://www.centerforsustainablecommunity.org/
solartour.html.
To find tours in other areas, visit
www.ases.org.
About
the American Solar Energy Society
The American
Solar Energy Society is the nation's oldest and largest organization
dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy for the benefit of
U.S. citizens and the global environment. The organization promotes
the widespread near-term and long-term use of solar energy, sponsors
the National Solar Energy Conference, publishes Solar Today magazine
and Advances in Solar Energy, publishes white papers, sponsors issue
round tables in Washington, D.C., distributes solar publications,
organizes a Solar Action Network, and has regional chapters
nationwide. The American Solar Energy Society is the U.S. section of
the International Solar Energy Society.
[News release from the
American Solar Energy Society] |
