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September/October 2001 Living Now
National Tour of Solar Homes in Oregon

On October 13, thousands of Oregonians will go look at houses. But not just any homes. These will be “green” buildings. They’ll feature the latest energy conserving and environmentally friendly building materials and techniques. Even more, they’ll rely on renewable solar energy for heat and cooling, electricity and hot water.

It’s the annual National Tour of Solar Homes, sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society. The Solar Energy Association of Oregon (SEAO) is organizing tours in the Portland area and supporting tour organizers in Central Oregon and Eugene. In all, almost 40 homes will be open. Visitors will watch electric meters run backward on grid-connected solar homes; discover how to size and position the windows, thermal mass, vents and overhangs in a passive solar home; wash their hands in solar-heated water; learn about insulated window coverings; watch solar powered pumps, attic fans, pool heaters – and much more.

Each community has created its own events. All of them include free or low priced workshops and reasonably priced tours. As in other communities throughout the U.S., the variety of technologies represented is impressive.

Portland: Self guided tour from 1-5pm and workshops from 9-12 at Metro.
Eugene: Tours starting with introductory talk at WPUD.
Bend: Tours with mini-workshops at each home. Exhibits and booths at the Central Oregon Environmental Center.

Information: (503)231-5662 or www.solaror.org.