Solar homes tour set Oct. 12 in Rehoboth Beach

Local Delaware nonprofit educational organizations will sponsor a tour of solar homes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, starting at 82 Sussex St., Rehoboth Beach.

The open house tour is free and open to all the public. There is plenty of free parking in Rehoboth Beach. All attendees will get a free solar-powered vacuuming of their vehicles, if they want.

On display will be solar photovoltaic electricity-producing panels, solar hot water evacuated tubes, electric car charging, rainwater catchment, tilt/turn triple weather-stripped, triple paned windows, solar clothes dryer and other energy efficiency features.

“This year is important for homeowners, businesses, houses of worship and other building owners, if they are considering installing solar power to save money and save the environment, because the solar incentives are soon being phased out,” said John Essig, president of the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Society. “The federal 30 percent federal tax credit will be available only for the rest of 2019, after which, it begins to phase out, to 26 percent and then to 22 percent,” he said.

“Delaware also provides a number of loan, grant and energy audit programs,” said Charlie Garlow of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby of Delaware, part of a national nonprofit organization focused on climate change. “Solar, energy efficiency and electric cars are some of our best tactics for reducing climate change pollution, like carbon dioxide,” he said. “We believe that a price on carbon, nationally, will give the right economic incentives to reduce these global warming gases.” 

“The public is encouraged to come and chat about these technologies, how much money they save, and what they look like on homes, schools, businesses and churches. This tour is part of the National Solar Tour that features 855 solar tours in 46 states around the United States in the first part of October, this year and every year for decades.

For more information, like cclowerDE on Facebook, go to www.NationalSolarTour.org or email cgarlow@solartour.org.