Free Renewable Energy Tours Oct. 6

To help increase awareness of renewable energy, free tours of homes and businesses using renewable energy systems will be held Oct. 6. This annual event hosted by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association is to showcase the renewable energy systems and energy efficient aspects of sites around the state. Last year 250 people visited one of 46 host sites across Wisconsin. It’s an opportunity for the public to learn first-hand from site owners about their renewable energy systems and green building techniques.

Here is a list of Door County participants.

• Lake Michigan Wind and Sun, 1015 County U, Sturgeon Bay, will open their doors for free solar tours 10 am – 4 pm.
• Leif Everson Observatory and Stonecipher Astronomy Center, 2200 Utah St., Sturgeon Bay, has a solar flair that looks like the Pinwheel Galaxy (a spiral galaxy captured by the Hubble telescope), fabricated and installed by Lake Michigan Wind and Sun.
• Olson’s Redwood House, 46 E. Redwood St., Sturgeon Bay. This home features a domestic solar hot water heater on the roof. Solar PV on the porch roof powers the upper apartment and a solar Flair in the yard powers the lower apartment.
• The Boathouse, 120 Alabama St., Sturgeon Bay, features a 9.5 Kw PV solar array, electric car charging, 95 percent efficient heating and air conditioning system, recirculating tankless hot water, super insulation, low-flow water fixtures, rainwater harvesting cistern system and all LED lighting.
• Olson’s Hillside House, 4535 Hillside Road, Egg Harbor, features photovoltaic modules.
• Waseda Farms, 7281 Logerquist Road, Baileys Harbor, features 145 solar panels stretching 190 feet. The power generated provides 50 percent of the farm’s electrical needs.

The public is encouraged to visit any of the other sites listed on the Wisconsin Solar Tour website (midwestrenew.org/solartour) to learn about reducing dependence on fossil fuels, lowering energy usage and lessening energy bills.

To see tours across the state visit midwestrenew.org/solartour.