By Laurie Dickson
The Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) joins the national nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and hundreds of solar-savvy installers and grassroots organizations throughout America, to showcase thousands of solar-powered and net zero homes, schools and businesses as part of the 28th Annual National Solar Tour — the world’s largest grassroots solar event.
Beyond Solar Tour + Soirée, 4CORE’s local event, on October 7, 2023, will showcase the solar and net zero technologies your neighbors are using to 1) drastically reduce monthly energy bills, 2) reduce harmful carbon emissions, and 3) enjoy rich tax credits and cash incentives as they improve their property values.
The purpose of the Beyond Solar Tour is to show local families and businesses real-life examples of how their neighbors are harnessing free energy from the sun to generate electricity, warm and cool their homes, heat water and slash monthly utility bills.
The self-guided Beyond Solar Tour affords participants the direct perspectives of homeowners and installers about the costs, processes and economic and environmental benefits of going solar and building new homes to net zero sustainability standards.
The Beyond Solar Tour also gives La Plata County and Archuleta County residents a demonstration of net zero designs and technologies. “It encourages neighborhood conversations addressing the growing need for clean energy,” 4CORE Board President, Rich Farrington stated.
The Beyond Solar Tour ticket price is $12/person and the Tour + Soirée tickets are $65/person. The Tour and Soirée happen on Saturday, October 7; Tour from 10am-5pm and the Soirée from 6-9pm. Tour maps will be available for download at time of ticket purchase.
Featured ‘Beyond Solar Tour’ stops:
11am-1pm Lunch Stop: Tour the Solar Straw Bale of famous KSUT “Garden Guy”, Tom Bartels. Bring your lunch for a talk and tour of his strawbale home and spectacular gardens. Bartels will speak about minimizing a carbon footprint while designing your home and how to consider efficiency in your design, including energy and water use; plus sustainable food production.
ASHP Animas Valley: Mary’s an engineer with a solar home in the Animas Valley, a Rivian owner and she’s an expert on Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). She can answer all your questions about cold climate ASHP in your home and how her system works.
Schiavone Woodworks: Joel will open his solar home and shop so you can see and learn about the custom-built windows and doors that are some of the most energy-efficient in the country. The bulk of the materials in the windows and doors is locally sourced.
Mountain Middle School : Did you know that Mountain Middle is a carbon neutral campus which generates nearly 100% of its power from solar? Not only does the school utilize their solar to provide the school’s electricity, power their HVAC system, charge their electric van, it powers electric charging stations for staff to charge their vehicles while at work.
And there are two more custom, owner-built solar sites you won’t want to miss!
Beyond Solar Soirée Details:
The Soirée will be held at the custom, owner-built solar home of Gary and Laura Lyndes near Turtle Lake. This year, we celebrate the businesses who have gone the extra mile and achieved their Green Business Certification. Dinner is generously donated, in part, by Grassburger; Beer by Ska Brewing, and Wine by Wagon Wheel Liquors. Plus, guests will enjoy live classical music by Brian Wagner.
Call 4CORE at 970=259-1916 today to get started and to learn more! Or visit us online at https://fourcore.org/
About 4CORE
4CORE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Southwest Colorado by promoting resource conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy through education and programs that strengthen the local economy and foster a healthy, sustainable environment
For more information, or to donate to 4CORE, please visit our website at https://fourcore.org/.
Laurie Dickson is Executive Director, Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency.
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