Media Information
Welcome to the media site for the non-profit American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour, the world’s largest grassroots solar event
Media Contacts
- Terri Steele
National Solar Tour Publicity Director
Phone: 619-303-9310
Email: SolarSavvy@cox.net
This year’s theme? Be solar inspired!
Included in this site are:
- 5Ws of the Tour: the Who, What Where When & Why.
- WHAT is the National Solar Tour (NST)? The National Solar Tour is the world’s largest grassroots solar event. Now in its 16th year, it is a coalition of over 5,500 home and business owners, volunteers, solar installers, public officials and grassroots organizations who conduct open house tours of their energy efficient and solar-powered homes, businesses, schools and public agencies. The sheer numbers of those involved – and the enthusiasm and participation the tour gains each year – make the National Solar Tour more than an event – it is a movement. Last year, over 165,000 people across 50 U.S. states, Mexico and Puerto Rico participated.
- WHEN does the NST occur? The sheer magnitude and grassroots effort afoot in coordinating this tour is no less than remarkable. Regional tours affiliated with NST run from May through October, with the bulk of tours taking place on or about October 1, 2011. Some tours (like Alaska’s) take place earlier in the year to avoid inclement weather. Others are scheduled on different dates so as not to conflict with perennial local events.
- WHERE are tours scheduled? Tours are being scheduled in 50 U.S. states, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Find when tours are scheduled in your area by visiting the FIND A TOUR tab on the National Solar Tour Web site.
To locate tours across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico, visit the “Find A Tour” tab on the National Solar Tour Web site. Tours in the US are listed on a clickable map and by state (in alphabetical order). Tours in Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico will be listed separately as they come online.
Note: Don’t see a tour in your area? Think about organizing one – or please check back, as many tour organizers are in the planning stages and have yet to register their tours. ASES National Solar Tour Manager Richard Burns can help. rburns@ases.org. - WHO participates in the National Solar Tour? The National Solar Tour is organized by the team at the non-profit American Solar Energy Society (ASES), who’s been in the business of educating Americans about the benefits and viability of solar energy for over 50 years.
2010 Tour sponsors included solar industry giants like Conergy, Sanyo and Trina Solar. SunCrystals, FindSolar and ASES publishing partner Solar Today Magazine also support the tour.
But the engine that drives this movement is the more than 400 grassroots organizations, installers and non-profits who locally coordinate and promote these open houses. The fuel for this vehicle is thousands of solar-savvy citizens willing to open the doors of their homes, businesses, buildings and public agencies to friends, neighbors and associates to share their personal solar experiences and educate others about the benefits of energy-efficient living and going solar. - WHY does the National Solar Tour matter? There are myriad reasons why evangelizing the benefits of solar energy matters to all Americans. They include, but are not limited to:
Macro Economics – Billions of dollars are being invested in America’s new Clean Energy Economy, whose promise will drive energy independence, national security interests, job creation, cleaner communities and new export opportunities for America, who 50 years ago actually invented solar photovoltaic technology, the technology that transforms the sun’s energy into electricity to power our homes, businesses and vehicles.
Micro Economics -- Harnessing the free, renewable energy of the sun allows home owners, property owners and businesses to drastically reduce their monthly energy bills. There’s a real thrill to watching one’s utility meter spin backwards! It’s even more fun to decide where to invest the money being saved each month on utility bills.
Green Jobs – Roofers, electricians, contractors, entrepreneurs and others hardest hit by this economy’s unemployment numbers can diversify their businesses and find new revenue streams in the business of solar. From Wyoming to Ohio, solar industry companies are employing Americans to build and improve solar technologies. And assemble the panels. And transport them. And install them. You can’t export a solar installer’s job!
National Security -- The U.S. sends over $24 billion each month to foreign nations to sate its addiction to oil. Money we send to these nations can actually fuel activities that are hostile to our Democratic principles and national security interests. Clean, domestic energy keeps these monies here in America – and fuels America’s domestic economic and security agendae.
Technological Improvements – Rooftop solar, rackless mounting, terrestrial-based options, solar thermal and bi-facial building-integrated solutions make it clear that one size solar no longer fits all. The National Solar Tour affords citizens across America to be solar inspired with the remarkable progress we’ve made in this industry – and to learn about the many solutions available to meet their needs.
Solar is More Affordable Than Ever – Module prices have dropped 30-40% in recent years, incentives at federal, state and local levels continue to come online, credit markets are loosening and new financing mechanisms are springing up to offer Americans more clean, responsible (and economically-enticing) energy options than ever before. Cities like San Diego are allowing folks to finance clean energy improvements to their homes over a 20-year period via their property tax bills. Neighborhood collectives like Solarize Portland are bringing to bear the power of bulk-rate purchases to realize economies of scale that further cut costs and create cleaner neighborhoods.
Cleaner, Sustainable Communities – The bulk of the electricity generated in this nation comes from fossil-fuel fed power plants, many of which belch dangerous materials into our atmosphere. Further, the recent oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico make it clear that Americans pay a dear price for allowing foreign and domestic corporations the rights to profit from our natural resources. The more we individually strive for responsible clean energy solutions, the more we collectively achieve our nation’s energy independence objectives.
Americans have a voice in how they get their energy – and what source of energy they prefer. And they have control over whether they choose to perpetuate America’s energy problems, or be a part of her solution.
Choosing clean energy improves our economy, supports our national security interests, preserves the quality of the air we breathe and ensures the future health of the communities in which we live.
Solar energy serves people of all political persuasions. To quote Pulitzer Prize winning author and columnist Thomas Friedman, “Green is the new red, white and blue.”
- Highlights of trend-setting solutions featured on the tour
- Solar Canopies Give Architects & Building Owners Green Inspiration
- Net Zero Homes, Solar-Smart Ceramics Shop & A Solar-Powered Home that Charges the Family Automobile Inspire Energy-Savvy Austin Residents
- Story ideas highlighting the people behind this year’s tours: sponsors, organizers and all-important volunteers (Coming Soon).
- Story ideas highlighting the people behind prior tours: sponsors, organizers and all-important volunteers. Click here to access summaries of the following solar solutions – and more!
- Iraqi War Veteran Abandons War for Oil to Join Solar Revolution
- Boston Couple “Beats the Street (Wall Street)” with Green Investments
- Spirit of Solar Alive and Well at Solar-Powered Funeral Home
- Early-Adopter Octogenarians Live Large On Small Utility Bills
- Solar-Powered Donut Shops Serve Green Cup o’ Joe
- Going Solar Rogue in Oil-Rich Alaska
Logos and Tour Images
There are several locations where reporters and bloggers can identify images/art to use in highlighting the National Solar Tour.
- Logos page
Find tour and sponsor logos.
- Tour hosts are being invited to post images of past tours, tour goers and the installations they feature on the Photo Gallery page of the National Solar Tour Web site.
- Images of tour sites will also be available via the Web sites of tour organizers (see “Find A Tour” tab on the National Solar Tour Web site and click on the “Upcoming Tours” tab).
- Many tour organizers develop programs and slide shows highlighting key tour sites. As these are produced, links to these products will be posted (stay tuned).
- Images of past tour participants can also be found on the “Be Solar Inspired” page under the “About the Tour” tab.
