Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Solar powered and energy efficient homes and buildings in Maine – and across the country – will be shown on public tours Oct. 6 as part of the American Solar Energy Society’s 12th annual National Solar Tour. According to Judith Schmidt, tour organizer for central Maine, while there is only one local business involved this year, she hopes the event will grow in Aroostook County next year.
“We plan to have much more in the region next year,” said Schmidt, “and this is the foot in the door to finding other places.”
Maine Potato Growers (MPG) is exploring ways to slow climate change through the use of alternative energies, for farming and other ways to serve the general public.
“I am a certified installer of solar hot water for either heat or domestic use, such as showering, washing dishes, etc.,” said Bob Prestwood, service department manager at MPG. “If we had a request from a customer to install a system, we could facilitate that. We’re simply no more than installers.”
Prestwood was certified last year through a program sponsored by the state of Maine.
“It was a two-day course in Houlton,” he said.
Solar technology has progressed greatly since the 1970s, Prestwood said.
“What’s really brought it to the surface is there’s rebates through the state and federally to help install solar systems,” he said. “In some cases, people could get anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of the costs back in rebates.
“Unfortunately, the costs are still quite high for solar systems,” said Prestwood, “but once they’re in, the energy costs nothing. It’s more the cost of the investment vehicle. For example, an average hot water heater installed in the state of Maine goes for $11,000 to $15,000, but up to half of that – if the funding is there and it’s installed by an authorized installer – can be returned back to the homeowner in the form of rebates.”
The purpose of the National Solar Tour is to highlight energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and methods that are working and available right now, in real places for real people. These sustainable energy choices help the owners reduce operating costs and improve comfort and health while investing in local communities.
Tours show attendees how home and building owners provide for their power needs from the sun, wind and other renewable sources. An increasing focus of tours is on saving energy through building design, energy-efficient appliances and building materials.
Held the first Saturday of each October, which is National Energy Awareness Month, the National Solar Tour is a partnership between the American Solar Energy Society, national co-sponsor organizations and local coordinating organizations.
Prestwood said MPG got involved with solar technology because “the heating world is changing.”
“Our thoughts were, if we do not move with the trends, we would be left behind,” he said. “With the rising cost of oil, Maine Potato Growers is looking for ways to help solve those problem for our customers whether that be in the solar end or other diverse measures such as wood pellets.
“We’re very young in this industry,” said Prestwood, “but we’re preparing for what we feel is the future.”
Recognizing that the average homeowner is uninformed in terms of solar technology, Prestwood said he encourages people interested in learning more about it to stop by MPG, located at 56 Parsons St. in Presque Isle, to speak with him. The store is open from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“The general public doesn’t know how to reduce their fuel costs,” said Prestwood, “and it’s up to us as a vendor to teach them or give them answers to any questions they may have. We’re looking to find ways to reduce our customers’ costs, and if solar fits that particular need, then we’d be glad to provide that service.”
