Hill Country Solar Tour Saturday October 6, 2012
Join us for this second Hill Country Solar Tour, a collaboration of TXSES,
Pedernales Electric Cooperative, [2]and in collaboration with the American Solar Energy Society National Tour, [3]the world's largest grassroots solar event. The day begins with presentations on why energy efficient design and solar energy are smart choices. Then our self guided and free tour lets you see how homeowners have brought these principals into their lives. Printed copies of the tour book will be available on tour day but you may view it in pdf form by clicking the above link.
Learn About Efficient Design & Solar Energy
9:00am-11:00am
Join us at the PEC Oak Hill office (9115 Circle Dr., Austin 78736) for information on interconnection details and two presentations:
*Energy Efficient Design & Building Techniques by Paul Breaux of BreauxConsulting [4]
*Solar Energy 101 by Cathy Redson of SolPower People [5]
The Self Guided Hill Country Solar Tour
11:00am-3:00pm
Hill Country Solar Tour covers the territory southwest of Austin off 290W, FM 1826 and between Henly and Blanco. Learn from the owners, solar installers and architects about the value of solar and smart design.
9115 Circle Drive, Austin 78736
The PEC Oak Hill office boasts a 3.6kW PV ground mount system and offsets electric use in the office, warehouse and supply yard. The installer is Tesla Electric [7].
9508 Derecho Bend, Austin 78737
A residence retrofitted with a 6kW PV system installed, the owners estimate they used 1,500 kWh less a month compared to the summer of 2011. Installer Circular Energy [8]will be on site.
8902 Oak Valley Rd., Austin 78737
This is a new home, designed and built for energy efficiency and comfort. The solar system is 5.8kW PV with a three-ton geothermal system for cooling and heating. Builder and installer Native [9] will be on site.
24 Concord Circle, Austin 78737
Austin's first LEED Platinum certified residence has solar hot water and a 3.3kW PV system. Nationally recognized architect LaVerne Williams will be on site as will solar PV installer Meridian Solar [10] and solar thermal installer Thomas Isaac [11].
2007 Hidden Hills Dr., Austin 78620
This older home was first remodeled for energy efficiency, prior to installing the metal roof, a 2.5Kw PV system, a solar attic fan and geothermal heat pump system for cooling and heating. Rainwater collection is used for the pool.
753 Divide Pass, Blanco 78606
Do not miss the Mollberg Piano Restoration [12] studio! Situated on the divide between Henly and Blanco, the home and studio are sited and designed for the climate, including rammed earth and compressed block construction. The solar water heater fills an 80 gallon tank, a small wind generator offsets some grid power, and rainwater collection is the sole source of water. The owner, Bernard Mollberg, is a wealth of information and the wind generation installer will also be on site.