CCHRC to Host National Solar Tour
October 6, 2007
Fairbanks, Alaska
The Fairbanks Solar Homes Tour 2007:
Local residents will join some 100,000 people across the U.S. in learning about renewable energy and energy efficiency during the 12th annual American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour.
Amid rising energy costs and concerns about climate change, the National Solar Tour invites participants to see how neighbors are saving money on utility bills and protecting the environment by using clean sources of energy and reducing energy demand.
Through a series of open-house and informative tours this event provides a good opportunity to learn about solar energy options, energy efficient design, real-world costs, and current rebates available.
Tour Agenda:
Tours will run throughout the Fairbanks North Star Borough region on October 6, 2007. The Cold Climate Housing Research Center, in partnership with the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), is coordinating this effort in what has become the largest demonstration of installed renewable energy technologies and energy efficient building practices in the country.
The Fairbanks Solar Tour will begin at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) at 9:00 AM. CCHRC will be open for tours until 5:00 PM. The tour ends at the Chena Hot Springs Resort. Maps will be available at CCHRC locating all of the stops on the tour or at www.alaskasun.org when all stops have been verified. There are solar installations in the Fairbanks area including College, Farmers Loop, Gilmore Trail, and Chena Hot Springs Road. Out of town there are solar installations in Nenana, wind power near Healy and a few off grid combined solar and wind installations on Murphy Dome.
Local Tour Highlights:
If you live in Fairbanks, the place to start the tour is at the CCHRC located at 1000 Fairbanks St. CCHRC is installing 12Kw of tracking Photo Voltaic (PV) solar panels. There are three different types of solar hot water systems on the roof. When combined with a future wood fired boiler that generates electricity and heat the CCHRC facility is expected to be a net producer of electricity and to consume zero fossil fuels for electricity or heat.
Chena Hot Springs Resort is off the electric grid and generating 100% of their power with renewable energy. You are invited to end the day at Chena Hot Springs Resort and take a tour of the extensive renewable energy projects happening at the resort. Tours are offered at 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 6:00 PM at the resort and stops will include: the geothermal power plant, district heating system, greenhouses, geothermal powered absorption chiller for the Ice Museum, the new Hydrogen Production Facility and a solar powered weather station.
At 6:00 PM you are invited for dinner in the Resort’s Main Lodge to celebrate ChenaFest, a celebration of local agriculture. One hundred % of the proceeds go to support the local chapter of the Future Farmers of America. You are cordially invited to enjoy a wonderful meal of locally grown produce and locally raised meat, and enjoy presentations and entertainment from local youths involved in agriculture. Prices are $35.00 per person. Please RSVP at 590-4577 because seating is limited.
Tours put the spotlight on current installations, giving neighbors an opportunity see, explore, and ask questions about the real-world applications of renewable energy. “Real Places for Real People,” the theme of the tour, reflects the typical buildings on the tour that are one step ahead without dramatic statements in appearance. Owner volunteers are the best advocates and participate to raise community awareness of these sustainable energy technologies.
Tour Outcome
The National Solar Tour will run in 46 states this year. A complete list of scheduled events may be found at http://www.nationalsolartour.org/.
The impact of this annual event is powerful. A recent survey showed that a majority of the people who attend a tour later go on to add sustainable energy technologies to their own homes or buildings.
This can have a profound and positive effect on the environment. According to recent U.S. EPA figures, residential and commercial buildings generate approximately 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more than transportation or manufacturing. (Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas emissions, April 2007). There’s a significant trend toward reducing this carbon footprint.
American Solar Energy Society
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s largest and oldest nonprofit dedicated to creating a sustainable U.S. energy economy. ASES develops leading programs that increase the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency across the nation.
DeLong/Ruckhaus photos
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