Going Solar

Join us on Thursday, June 10, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm here at F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods and Supplies, 56 Maine Street, Brunswick, for a talk by John Capron, of ReVision Energy, titled "Going Solar: Energy from the Sun." Free and open to the public.

Five hundred square feet of solar electric panels on a sunny, south-facing roof in Maine generate 100% of an average family's annual consumption (about 6 million watt hours of electricity per year). Thousands of Mainers have already decided that the risks of remaining dependent on fossil fuels -- none of which is produced here in Maine -- outweigh the cost of harvesting clean and reliable energy from their own rooftops in perpetuity.

"Solar energy is one of the best investments you can make for your children and grandchildren," says John. "If we do not begin solving our energy problems today, we will leave them a legacy of fossil energy pollution, scarcity and geopolitical conflict."

John's talk will explain the basics of harnessing the sun for heat and power. You'll learn how solar power systems work, how much solar energy is available at different times of the year for space heating, hot water and electricity, and how much different options cost. The talk will also cover common questions and concerns, such as how you can find out if your location is sunny enough, how long an installation will take, how reliable is solar equipment, how to integrate solar energy into existing house plumbing and wiring, how to participate in Maine's net metering program to "spin the meter backward," and how to qualify for the myriad financing options, tax credits and rebates available.

ReVision Energy 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 in northern New England, having installed more than half of all solar energy systems in Maine for the past four 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 if you are interested in attending, please call the store at 729-4050 to reserve a seat.

For more information, please visit www.FWHorch.com.