The 2008 Solar Tour Showcases Clean Energy in Georgia
[image via jesse4948]
This Saturday, October 4th, in Atlanta the Georgia Solar Energy Association is sponsoring the 2008 Georgia Solar Tour. The event features tours of local buildings that have successfully implemented solar power in an effort to raise awareness about alternative energy. They also want to educate folks about the Georgia Clean Energy Property Tax Credit.
Several Atlanta residences are participating in the event, showing off how their solar setups, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies are helping them reduce their monthly utility bills and tackle climate change. Here are just a few of the 26 sites the tour is hitting up!
- Oakland Park Condominiums - These LEED-certified, mixed-use condos combine commercial and residential spaces. They are participating in the tour from 9am-4pm. (563 Memorial Drive)
- Stonehurst Place – An EarthCraft™ certified Bed and Breakfast, Stonehurst Place calls itself a “green lodging.” The historic mansion was originally built in the 1890s and has been updated to use water reclamation, purification, recycling and solar energy. Check it out on the solar tour from 1pm-4pm. (923 Piedmont Ave)
- Taylor Residence - This private residence will be open to the tour from 1pm– 4pm. On top of a solar array, the Taylors have installed a Skystream wind turbine and solar pool heating. You can check out some electric vehicles while you’re there, too! (750 West Sandtown Rd. Marietta)
Wait…but what was that about a clean energy tax credit? In Georgia? That’s right! The governor has finally offered some relief to folks installing alternative power solutions in both private residences and in businesses! The only catch is that, in order to claim the tax credit, you’ve got to have your solar, wind, energy efficiency project, geothermal heat pump, or biomass energy system already installed. The credit is good for clean energy solutions put into place between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2012.
OK, so it’s not perfect. I’d love to see the State of Georgia offering help offsetting the cost up front to folks considering alternative energy sources. Still, it’s good to see them putting some sort of incentive in place.
