WHAT: The 2009 Georgia Solar Tour hosted by the Georgia Solar Energy Association (GSEA). Participants will learn how to reduce monthly utility bills while going green at the same time.
Georgia tour sites will be located in
Athens , Metro Atlanta, North Georgia,
Savannah and other surrounding communities statewide. For more information visit -
www.gasolar.org
WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 9am
WHERE: Tour kicks off with a morning reception at Savannah Technical College Auditorium
After the reception, take a self-guided tour of local solar sites around the
WEBSITE:
www.gasolar.org
WHY: With solar costs 30-40% lower than just a year ago and incentives now covering to two-thirds the costs, more families and businesses are going green to save money during tight economic times. The Georgia Solar Tour & Festival will showcase the latest solar & energy efficient technologies and how the technology is being used to reduce monthly energy bills and carbon emissions while taking advantage of tax credits and cash incentives that help improve property values.
WHY: With solar costs 30-40% lower than just a year ago and incentives now covering to two-thirds the costs, more families and businesses are going green to save money during tight economic times. The Georgia Solar Tour & Festival will showcase the latest solar & energy efficient technologies and how the technology is being used to reduce monthly energy bills and carbon emissions while taking advantage of tax credits and cash incentives that help improve property values.
According to survey results from last year's National Solar Tour, 76% of participants said they are very likely to invest in solar or energy efficient technology after the Tour, compared to less than 50% before the Tour. A stunning 74% of participants indicated that they had never visited a solar or green-built home prior to this event. Last year's National Solar Tour attracted close to 140,000 people.
Michelle Conlon, GSEA’s Solar Chair, says, “This year’s tour should be our best event yet.
I have been involved in solar for awhile now, and the level of interest this past year has grown exponentially.”
Currently
Georgia ’s unemployment rate is over 10% while an industry that in 2007 generated more sales than that of the 3 largest
U.S. corporations combined (Wal-Mart, ExxonMobil, & GM -- $905 billion) goes untapped.
“We have tremendous potential in
Georgia for renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE & EE), and it is important for us to consider both industries together, because, without each other the impact becomes significantly less,” stated Conlon.
According to the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), in 2007 the economic impact of the RE & EE industry was:
•
More than $100 billion in industry profits
•
More than $150 billion in federal, state, & local government tax revenue
•
Stimulus to
•
Displacement of imported oil
•
Reduction in the
“The solar tour is an opportunity to educate all Georgians that solar is a viable energy option in our state.
Training needs and requirements, job creation potential, economic development, and manufacturing possibilities all point to an energy resource made in
Georgia that we are not maximizing,” Conlon commented.
About the
Georgia Solar Energy Association
The Georgia Solar Energy Association (GSEA) leads the statewide effort to promote the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy through education, advocacy and industry support. GSEA, a non-profit affiliated with the American Solar Energy Society, is supported by more than 200 members across the state (energy professionals and grassroots supporters) who are working together to help create a sustainable energy economy for
Georgia .
For more information, visit
www.gasolar.org
. Find GSEA on
Facebook
or follow on
Twitter
@GASolar
.Twitter
@GASolar
.Twitter
@GASolar
.
@GASolar
.
About the American Solar Energy Society
Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and grassroots advocates. Supported by more than 12,000 members, ASES’ mission is to speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. ASES advances education, research and policy, inspiring the nation to go solar. ASES publishes the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, presents the National Solar Conference, rallies citizens to build a Solar Nation, and leads the National Solar Tour – the world’s largest grassroots solar event. www.ases.org
Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and grassroots advocates. Supported by more than 12,000 members, ASES’ mission is to speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. ASES advances education, research and policy, inspiring the nation to go solar. ASES publishes the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, presents the National Solar Conference, rallies citizens to build a Solar Nation, and leads the National Solar Tour – the world’s largest grassroots solar event. www.ases.org
###