Solar Power: Electricity from the Sun

F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods and Supplies, 56 Maine St., Brunswick, will host a talk by John Capron, of ReVision Energy, titled "Solar Power: Electricity from the Sun," on Thursday, October 9, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The talk is free and open to the public.

For each five hundred and fifty square feet (25'x22') of sunny, south-facing roof space in Maine, solar photovoltaic panels can generate 6,500 kilowatt hours of electricity every year -- well over 100% of an average family's annual power consumption. As Mainers consider higher energy prices and rising levels of global greenhouse gases from fossil fuels, many are turning to the sun to generate electricity reliably and cleanly on their own rooftops.

Capron's talk will explain the basics of generating electricity from the sun. Attendees will learn how photovoltaic systems work, how much power is available to be harvested from the sun, which types of solar electricity systems are available today, and how much they cost. The talk will also cover common questions and concerns, such as how a homeowner can find out if her roof is sunny enough, how long an installation will take, whether a system will pay for itself in energy savings, and what financial incentives are available.

ReVision Energy (www.revisionenergy.com) is a full service renewable energy company offering design, sales, installation and service. Formerly known as Energyworks, ReVision Energy has emerged as an industry leader, having installed more than half of all solar energy systems in Maine for the past three years. Their engineers from MIT and Brown University have a combined 25 years experience in the design, installation and service of renewable energy systems.

This talk is part of the F.W. Horch series on sustainable living. Each monthly talk is held on the second Thursday of the month at the F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies store, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick. Space is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to call the store at 729-4050 to reserve a seat.