Solar Tour to see panels in Ohio

Recently, we’ve learned of a number of solar tours going on across the United States.  In communities large and small, people are hopping on a bus and touring green and solar homes in their hometown.

I think there is no better way than to showcase solar homes for interested people to get more to consider switching to solar energy.  So, with this in mind, let’s highlight another solar tour, in Ohio!  On Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, a free event will take place across the state.  Simply visit the site and click on what you would like to see.  Four guided tours will be offered, depending on your location.

That’s right – this weekend, Duke Energy has teamed up with Green Energy Ohio to encourage use of solar power in the Tri-State area.  In Hamilton County alone, there are more than 20 sites that feature clean energy technologies.  Many more are on the way, which will be a significant boost to the local economies and can bring more green jobs to Ohio.  According to the executive director of Green Energy Ohio, Bill Sprately:

“Solar can work, wind can work here in Ohio and the best way to do that is to have a tour that shows people in Cincinnati the few folks that have stepped up to the plate.  And we think as the costs come down, this can become a real industry and go forward.”

Check out the solar home tour in Ohio this weekend

This event is the 7th annual Solar tour in Ohio.  If I didn’t already emphasize it above, the weekend tour is free and open to the public.  As a final word, click here for more information:

“Visit GEO’s 7th Annual Ohio Solar Tour Sponsors, Supporters and Magazine Advertisers by clicking on logos on this page.  Use GEO’s website as an interactive tool to search hundreds of sites that feature solar, wind, biomass, green design, energy-saving technologies and much more!”

What will you see this year?  Will you finally be inspired to go solar?

If you visited the solar tour in Ohio, or elsewhere, please be sure to share your experiences in the comment section below.

Ground breaking on a new Ohio solar energy field next month

Next month, construction will begin on a new solar energy field in Ohio – about 60 miles southeast of Toledo.  While solar farms are springing up all over the U.S. (and the world, in fact), the new Ohio solar energy field will be one of the largest in America.

Here’s the what/when/why about the utility scale solar development:

• Projected to be operational in about 13 months
• Initial cost $30 million
• 83 acre site
• Solar energy generated by the new Ohio solar energy field will provide electricity to American Electric Power
• About 6,000 homes will be served
• Ohio utilities are required by law to purchase or generate 12.5% of the state’s energy from renewable sources like wind and solar
• AEP will be purchasing power from the plant, which will be built and operated by a subsidiary of Juwi Solar Inc., a Germany-based company

No place like Ohio to move forward on a new solar energy field.  In fact, the University of Toledo is a leader in solar power:

A sunny future for solar fields

Getting back to the new Ohio solar energy field, AEP signed a 20-year agreement to purchase power from the utility scale solar facility.  While electricity rates will not decrease for its customers, the company will be in compliance with the Ohio renewable energy law.  And, for those that are concerned about depletion of fossil fuels and/or global climate change, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Observed an AEP spokesperson, Melissa McHenry:

“Solar is really just starting to develop in a way that’s more cost-effective, so it’s important that we support projects like this.”

Expect to see more utilities re-tooling and investing in solar and other renewable energy resources in the months and years ahead.  Ohio may be a leader with respect to its big new solar energy field today, but we’ll be hearing much more about other new utility scale solar projects in the future!