SEDONA, AZ (November 8) - There
is a lot of news floating around about the federal stimulus money and
the green economy. But how can this funding benefit us, here in Sedona?
Come hear some answers on how tax credits and utility rebates can help
you make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
Sustainable Arizona and the Arizona Solar
Energy Association are hosting back-to-back events on Saturday, November
21. The experts can help you figure out how to green up your home or
business and save money while you do it. It’s free and open to everyone.
The solar electric tour runs from 10:00
a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and will feature small to large solar photovoltaic
systems on homes and buildings in Sedona. There will be six locations on
the self-guided tour. You can follow the maps to visit any of locations
and find out how the systems help their owners save money and reduce
greenhouse gas pollution.
Maps and descriptions will be available in
advance at the information desk of the Sedona Public Library. Tour
guides are also available for downloading at www.SustainableArizona.org.
Just click on the Events Calendar and go to the solar tour entry for
November 21st.
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After the tour, Sustainable Arizona will
be hosting a workshop on energy efficiency and weatherization for homes.
From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be displays and information in the
Community Room of the Sedona Public Library in West Sedona.
Representatives from APS will join the director of the NACOG
weatherization program to provide you with information on new programs
that can help you save money.
According to John Neville, the president
of Sustainable Arizona, the time has never been better to upgrade the
energy systems in your home or business. “The utilities are offering
generous financial assistance to people who want to make their homes or
businesses more energy efficient. Our workshop will have experts ready
to answer questions about lighting, insulation, windows, heating and
cooling and solar. They’ll be ready to fill you in on all the tax
credits and rebates.”
There will be a good range of solar
installations to see, all within a few miles of each other. Right on 89A
across from Airport Road is La Tierra Plaza with one of the largest
photovoltaic solar electric installations in Sedona. The owner, George
Moore, incorporated a 52 kilowatt system into the carports over the
parking lot. Al McNulty was the master electrician on the project. He
will be on site to provide guided tours of the photovoltaic collector
arrays and the equipment room. You will also get to monitor the output
of the system during your visit. Even during cloudy days, these
collectors produce a substantial amount of electricity.
“The Moore’s wanted a medical building that both fit into the natural
setting of Sedona and had a very low energy footprint,” explained Mike
Bower, principal architect with Design Group Architects. “This building
uses very little energy, and most of it comes from the sun.”
Arizona Sun Power installed a tracking
solar system at the Osborne Residence at 70 Cathedral Rock Trail in
Sedona. This ground-mounted 10 kilowatt system follows the path of the
sun to maximize output. Matt Bonnstetter, the project manager, will be
on site to explain how the system works.
Solar Works installed two of the
photovoltaic systems on the tour: the Deal Residence at 120 Gambel Lane
in the Chapel neighborhood and the Skiver Residence located at 20 Paint
Pot Circle in the Village of Oak Creek. Wayne Espland will be available
to describe his creative installation, which features custom collectors
to fit the contours of the roof and maximize the solar gain.
Carl Ramsey, Architecture and
Environmental Associates, built a model green home at 245 Arrowhead
Drive in the Village of Oak Creek. This home incorporates energy
efficient design and solar systems. Carl will be there to answer your
questions.
The largest photovoltaic array on the tour
is on the Big Park School at 25 West Saddlehorn in VOC. As part of their
energy upgrades, the school installed a 100 kilowatt thin-film
photovoltaic system. Dave Young, the project supervisor, will be on hand
to answer questions and demonstrate the whole school monitoring system.
After visiting these solar installations,
be sure to stop by the Community Room at the Sedona Public Library for
an Energy Open House from 3:00 to 5:00 p. m. This workshop will feature
representatives from Arizona Public Service Company and Northern Arizona
Council of Governments Weatherization Program to explain about the
utility and government programs to help you reduce your energy costs.
Verde Solair, Banker Insulation and BMC West will be there with displays
on insulation, window systems, hot water solar and energy efficient
heating and cooling systems. You’ll have the chance to talk to the
experts about your home and learn what you need to become more energy
efficient.
The workshop and the tour are free to the
public. Sedona Community Foundation has provided a portion of the
funding for the workshop through a grant to Sustainable Arizona.
Sustainable Arizona is a resource and
education council dedicated to improving the quality of life through the
pursuit of sustainable development. You can learn more by visiting
www.SustainableArizona.org.
Arizona Solar Energy Association strives
to educate the people of Arizona about solar energy, its applications,
and the benefits of utilizing solar technologies to improve the economy
and protect the natural environment.
The Sedona Community Foundation matches donor interests with community
needs. SCF currently manages funds totaling more than $5 million in
assets built on gifts of cash, stock, annuities, personal property,
business assets and real estate. SCF is an affiliate of the Arizona
Community Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in
Arizona and among the top 30 community foundations nationally.
For more information on how you can create
a lasting impact in your community, contact Delstene Atkinson at
282-1058, email datkinson@azfoundation.org or visit
www.sedonafoundation.org.
