Santa Cruz Solar Tour Slated for October 2, 2010 Gets California “Solar Inspired” with Innovative Clean Energy Solutions

Tour of Energy-Smart, Solar-Savvy Homes and Businesses, Includes Every type of System: Top-of-Pole Mounting, Roof Mount and Ground Mount Systems, and A Net Zero Home with Solar PV That Powers Local Resident’s Home and Car..

Santa Cruz County residents are invited to participate in this weekend’s Santa Cruz Solar Tour, part of the non-profit American Solar Energy Society’s (ASES’) 15th Annual National Solar Tour, the world’s largest grassroots solar event. 160,000 people at 5,500 sites in 3,200 communities are expected to participate across the United States.  . 

The self-guided tour in Santa Cruz County showcases an array of stunning energy efficient homes and businesses that are bringing their owners ample economic and environmental rewards. The Santa Cruz  Solar Tour – sponsored by Solar Technologies and SunPower Corporation – runs Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 11 am to 3 pm. It is one of hundreds of tours showcased by grassroots organizations and solar installers throughout the country that afford participants the direct perspectives of businesses, home owners and installers about the costs, processes and benefits of going solar.

Find the guidebook highlighting the money-saving, energy-efficient features of these Santa Cruz area homes and a map of installations at http://www.SantaCruzSolarTour.com.

"While it has always been our goal to find the most interesting and educational sites for our tour, this year we have a full spectrum of installation types. One eco-friendly, solar-powered home will host an "open house" featuring its recycled oak floors,  fast-growing bamboo cabinets, corn carpeting, Zero VOC, Enviro-Coat paint, and Web-based monitoring for the PV system from Fat Spaniel on the big-screen TV. The Solar Electric Car also charges off of solar energy. Another installation includes dual systems with Enphase monitoring at two different orientations. All of them come with their own unique story. We encourage people to read up on them and determine which they’d like to tour," said Matt Ledna, Director of Sales & Marketing at Solar Technologies.

Across the U.S., the National Solar Tour collectively features open house tours of thousands of solar-powered homes, businesses and public agencies across America to introduce the solar technologies citizens are using to 1) slash monthly energy bills, 2) reduce harmful carbon emissions, 3) assert their energy independence and 4) enjoy rich tax credits and cash incentives as they improve their property values. The tours also give Americans a glimpse at how a variety of solar systems look in and around structures with different architectural styles.  Featured are solar-powered homes, farms, public agencies, condo complexes and solar powered businesses that run the gamut from donut shops to ceramic shops and funeral homes.

The energy-savvy folks in oil-rich Alaska and Texas are among the first to hold tours this year.  They understand the national security implications of enhancing our domestic energy portfolio.  Alaska’s tour takes place earlier than the majority of open houses due to unpredictable weather. Santa Cruz's annual tour has been ‘showing their solar’ as part of this inspirational national effort for 5 years. 

Studies show that for every $1 property owners invest in energy efficiency, they save $3 to $5 on the final cost of a solar energy solution.  It’s the fastest and easiest way to reduce energy bills and shrink one’s carbon footprint.   “If you have sun, pay taxes and have a good credit score, you can earn a positive cash flow from the first day vs. paying PG&E,” observed Roger DeNault, owner of Solar Technologies.
California is also planning tours in other cities around the state.  Learn more at www.nationalsolartour.org.

“With enticing federal tax credits, billions of dollars in grants and loans, state-funded cash rebates and a groundswell of consumer support for sustainable solutions that promote energy independence, the economics of solar have never been more compelling -- for businesses, public agencies, consumers or entrepreneurs,” said four year National Solar Tour sponsor Jyl Safier, Marketing Director for the global solar energy experts at Conergy.

“Technologies have improved, solar module prices have dropped and credit markets have loosened to the point where folks are eager to explore their solar energy options. Today, solar energy is not just good for the environment, it’s a job-creating, business-building, revenue-generating revolution whose time has come,” added Safier.

Businesses and home owners can learn more about incentives and rebates in all fifty states through the national Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE USA) at www.dsireusa.org.

ASES coordinates the activities of all tour organizers via monthly conference calls and an interactive Web site where groups can register a tour or volunteer to help.  ASES also produces posters, promotional materials and an evergreen “Get Started” guide to help tour hosts promote their tours -- and tour visitors initiate their own solar solutions. Solar-(em)powered home owners and businesses can learn how to participate at www.nationalsolartour.org.

ABOUT SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES: Solar Technologies is a solar power installer designing and building solar power systems for residential and commercial electric users in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties for the past twelve years. Visit the website at www.SolarTechnologies.com or call 831-421-0440 for more information about solar energy.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY:  Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and grassroots advocates. Supported by more than 12,000 members, ASES advances research, education, and policy. ASES publishes the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, presents the National Solar Conference, rallies citizens to build a Solar Nation, and leads the National Solar Tour – the world’s largest grassroots solar event.  www.ases.org.