Sponsors of this year’s Solar Tour claim that Saturday’s event will have several firsts.
It will feature the first solar modules made in Washington state and the first home in Jefferson County to be approved for solar power by a homeowners’ association.
And it will offer participants a chance to have a refreshing snack at the first installed solar array approved by the city’s Historic Preservation Committee at Elevated Ice Cream at 631 Water St.
“Using solar energy is the right thing to do,” said store co-owner David McCulloch.
“I hope we can become a showcase of how it can be used in a downtown business.”
10 a.m. kickoff
The Solar Tour kicks off at 10 a.m. at 2343 Thomas St., the home of Wildberry Farm and the offices of Power Trip Energy.
From then until 2 p.m., participants can travel among 13 showcase locations on their own, visiting 11 homes and two businesses that are using solar energy in various ways.
Between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., several educational workshops will be held at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St.
Jeff Randall, a solar agent for event sponsor Power Trip Energy, said there are two kinds of solar energy in general use for homes and businesses.
Photovoltaic, or PV, systems allow users to generate electricity from the sun and sell it back to the electric company, either directly or as credit for usage.
Electrical contractor Hans Frederickson said customers who install PV solar systems can earn money back in the form of tax credits.
Frederickson also said the size of the credit will increase substantially if contractors use modules made in Washington — purchased from Silicon Energy in Marysville — an option that has only been available since earlier this year.
Water heating
The second process, thermal, takes the place of a water heater and allows a home or business to heat water for showers or cleaning.
Elevated Ice Cream uses both types.
The solar idea grew when the store needed to replace its rear deck.
It added the thermal panels to the wall facing the bay, linking it to a water heater on the roof.
The PV-generated energy will be generated from solar modules that double as an awning to shelter customers from the direct sun.
Initial investment
Randall said an investment is required for a homeowner or a business to convert to solar, and it may take several years to see a payoff.
He agreed that the slow economy has discouraged home improvements, but said the installation of either a thermal or PV system will increase a home’s long term value in a way that new carpet or a finished basement will not.
The first Jefferson County Solar Tour was held in October 2003 as part of a nationally based solar energy awareness effort.
In 2008, local solar enthusiasts switched to the summer because, according to Randall, “it made no sense to have a solar tour in October since the weather is terrible.”
So this is the third year for the tour in its July time frame.
For a list of contractors and customer reviews locally or in any area of the United States, go to www.solar-estimate.org.
For more information about solar in Washington state, go to www.solarwashington.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
