Take the National Solar Tour

Image Gallery Visit and learn about solar homes like this one on the 2007 National Solar Tour. John Avenson

This Saturday you can take part in the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour. Attending a local tour as part of this national event is an easy way to show your support for renewable energy and a fun opportunity to learn more about home-scale solar, wind and geothermal systems as well as other green building options.

The official 2007 tour date is Saturday, Oct. 6, although some tours take place as early as September and others as late as November. Tours are scheduled in dozens of locations across the United States, including 46 states and Puerto Rico. You can view the full list here.

I've been on my city's tour three times now (this doesn't get repetitive because the homes vary from year to year), and my favorite part is hearing homeowners explain their various projects. Most are eager to tell all the details, whether it's how they rigged up a single solar panel to run a few lights inside the house, how well that solar heater or wind turbine really works, or exactly how their house saves energy.

Not only that, but it's inspiring to see what individual people can accomplish. After all, if they can do it, why can't you?

View Photos of the Homes on the Solar Tour!
We have a new community photo gallery at cu.MotherEarthNews.com, and we've created a special section for the National Solar Tour so now you can see these homes year-round. To check out homes from local tours across the country, click here.