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Showcasing the Power of the Sun, October 14
Showcasing the Power of the Sun
The Palouse Region is to Be One of 175 Communities Featured in the
National Tour of Solar Homes, October 14
Moscow, Idaho--Once the stuff of science experiments and space-age
dreamers, solar energy today is moving into the mainstream, powering homes,
heating water, improving energy efficiency and saving homeowners money. On
Saturday, October 14, four homeowners in Genesee, Moscow, Viola and Princeton
will open their solar-powered homes to the public as part of the American
Solar Energy Society's 5th Annual National Tour of Solar Homes. The tour is
the only event of its kind to showcase the benefits of photovoltaic solar
electricity, solar thermal energy, and passive solar design, which reduce or
eliminate electric, heating, and cooling bills while significantly
diminishing environment threats caused by the use of fossil fuels.
Nationally, about 800 homeowners in more than 175 communities in 38 states
will participate in the tour during October. Participating homes are
located in every climatic zone in the country, from Minnesota to Florida and
from California to Maine, and feature state-of-the-art technology used to
harness the sun's power and easy-to-implement energy efficiency measures.
"There has never been a better time for people who want to explore
generating their own power or reducing their heating and cooling bills in an
environmentally friendly way to see first-hand how solar energy is working
on the Palouse," says Tom Lamar, Director of Palouse Clearwater
Environmental Institute (PCEI).
"And with the public concerned about power shortages and significant
increases in utility bills, we anticipate that many people will be
especially interested in how solar technology can be easily and
cost-effectively integrated into their own homes.
Visitors will see how their neighbors capture heat directly from the sun or
indirectly from the ground to heat their homes. Also, the tour will show
how windmills can be integrated into the home for the purpose of generating
electricity to provide all or a portion of their power needs. They will
learn about passive solar design techniques and energy efficiency measures
including how to site homes to capture the maximum amount of solar heat in
the winter and minimal amount in the summer, and how to use beautiful,
natural daylight to reduce electricity expenses.
The cost of building a passive solar home is usually the same as a
traditional home, while monthly utility bills can be reduced by as much as
80%. Even though the up-front costs of solar electric and solar hot water
systems are more expensive than conventional energy systems, the power they
generate is free and non-polluting. Costs are decreasing dramatically for
example; the cost of photovoltaic solar electric systems has dropped 90%
since the 1970s.
Palouse area residents living in solar homes have turned to renewable
solar energy for a variety of reasons:
Deb McKinnon's and Tom Ordway's hilltop home in Princeton is a great
location for their two windmills and is oriented for optimum sun exposure.
"We are amazed how simple design techniques can help keep the house
comfortably cool in the summer," says Tom, "and provide free heat in the
winter.")
In addition to ASES, The National Tour of Solar Homes is sponsored by the
National Renewable Energy Lab U.S. Department of Energy, BP Solarex,
Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Home Power Magazine, Natural Home
Magazine, Jade Mountain and
AstroPower
The Palouse Tour of Solar Homes is absolutely free. PCEI asks that anyone
interested in touring the homes should meet at the PCEI office in Moscow at
8:30am, Saturday, October 14th. Free information will be provided and
participants will depart at 9am and will visit the various homes as a
group. Carpooling and a bag lunch are encouraged. For more information on
contact the tour organizer, Frank Albrecht (albr9652@uidaho.edu), check the
ASES web site or call PCEI at 882-1444.
Founded in 1954, ASES is a national organization dedicated to the
advancement of solar energy technologies. Among its more than 4000 members
are engineers, architects, scientists, researchers, environmentalists,
educators, builders, manufacturers, planners, lawyers, corporations and
institutions. Through its sponsorship of annual conferences and events,
publications, outreach programs and education campaigns, ASES informs and
influences policy makers, educators, and solar energy proponents, and
endeavors to increase public awareness of the advantages and availability of
solar and renewable energies.
The mission of the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) is to
increase citizen involvement in decisions that affect our region's
environment. Through community organizing and education PCEI assists
members of our communities in making environmentally sound and economically
viable decisions that promote a sustainable future. PCEI is celebrating its
fourteenth year as a goal oriented, success driven instrument for local
involvement in environmental issues. We are well known for our capability
in building coalitions among diverse groups of people.
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director
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Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute
P O Box 8596; 112 West 4th St; Suite #1
Moscow ID 83843-1096
Phone (208)882-1444; Fax (208)882-8029
url: http://www.pcei.org
Please note our individual staff email addresses below:
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director: lamar@pcei.org
Laurie Gardes, Financial Manager: gardes@pcei.org
Sara Van Ormer, Office Manager: pcei@pcei.org
David Urban, Watersheds: urban@pcei.org
Robin Jenkinson, Watersheds: robin_jenkinson@hotmail.com
Chad Lammers, Watersheds assistant: lamm2673@uidaho.edu
Peggy Adams, Community Agriculture: adams@pcei.org
Ashley Martens, Environmental Education: martens@pcei.org
Jo Anne Johnson, Environmental Education, AmeriCorps: lilinoe@pcei.org
Jon Barrett, Idaho Smart Growth: smartgro@micron.net
Elaine Clegg, Idaho Smart Growth: eclegg@micron.net
Celebrating fourteen years of "connecting people, place and community".
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