PennFuture will mark October as Energy Awareness Month with its 7th Annual Pittsburgh Solar Tour on October 14, featuring residents and business owners who have made the switch to clean energy.

Held from noon to 2 p.m., and again from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., participants can choose which bus tour works best for their schedules. During the tour, participants will meet homeowners and business owners showcasing their solar installations, implemented by various installers throughout the region.

“The Pittsburgh Solar Tour is a great opportunity for residents to learn that going solar is possible, and they can hear firsthand from those who have already made the switch,” said PennFuture President and CEO Larry J. Schweiger. “Moving our state to a clean energy future that relies on renewable energy rather than fossil fuels means changing the hearts and the minds of people one at a time, in addition to work on state policy and beyond.”

The two bus tours start at the Frick Environmental Center, one of 11 structures in the world to be a certified Living Building.

In addition to bus tours, participants of the tour have the option of taking an East End Bike Tour, which begins at solar homeowner and advocate Fred Kraybill’s, house in Point Breeze.

Post-tour libations will be held at East-End Brewing Company for all registered attendees.

Bike Pittsburgh also provided other bike routes throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area, featuring the Solar Tour homes, businesses, and Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Sustainable Restaurants.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with home and business owners at tour stops, ask questions, hear personal stories, and see firsthand how owners have utilized solar to meet their needs.

Featured stops on this year’s tour include: Phipps Conservatory, Homewood’s Oasis Farm & Fishery Bio Shelter, and The Aquaponics Project.

"This year, we wanted to make the tour even more accessible to the public," said PennFuture's Western PA Outreach Coordinator Annie Regan. "We’re happy to provide various venues for people to engage in this tour and an interactive map that makes it easier than ever. Two researchers at Yale and the University of Connecticut found the single most important factor driving people to go solar was peer influence. We’re hoping that when people see solar promoted in their neighborhood through the tour, they will consider doing it themselves.”

The Pittsburgh Solar Tour is held in conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society's 2017 National Solar Tour. This event is sponsored by Levin Furniture.

This event is free and open to the public. Those interested should visit the Pittsburgh Solar Tour website  to register for this rain-or-shine event, view the interactive map, find additional information, and download the free guidebook.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the PennFuture website.

(Photo: 2014 Pittsburgh Solar Tour Guidebook, 7211 Thomas Blvd, Pittsburgh.)

NewsClips:

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[Posted: Oct. 12, 2017]

10/16/2017