Former CD 8 Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was a strong proponent of solar energy, and her successor Congressman Barber is continuing this series.

The Office of Congressman Ron Barber presents the 57th Solar Power 101—an ongoing community education series on solar energy. The Solar Power 101 series offers practical information and industry updates for those interested in residential solar power.

Congressman Barber’s office is partnering with the City of Tucson, the Southern Arizona Regional Solar Partnership, and Pima County Public Library to make possible quality presentations on a variety of solar-related topics.

Solar Power 101
Monday, July 16, 6 pm
Murphy-Wilmot Branch Library, 530 N. Wilmot Rd.

Please RSVP to thomas.alston@mail.house.gov.

Agenda

Introduction — Dianna Thor, Pima County Public Library
The Importance of Solar to Southern Arizona’s Economy – Congressman Ron Barber
An Overview of TEP Solar Programs – Carmine Tilghman, Tucson Electric Power, Director Renewable Resources
An Introduction to Residential Solar Systems and What you need to Know About Solar Leases – George Villec, Geoinnovation, Owner

About Solar Power in Southern Arizona

Tucson is one of the the Department of Energy’s 25 designated Solar American Cities. Some of the goals, or Solar America Cities Action Areas, undertaken by these 25 cities are: organizing and strategizing a local solar effort, making solar affordable for residents and businesses, and creating jobs and supporting economic development.

The Solar Power 101 series at libraries is ideal for people new to solar energy, who are very interested in the basics and want to ask in-depth questions of local experts, as well as those already familiar with solar energy. Become informed about solar energy at Solar One Stop.

Solar Rock 2010 poster

4th Annual free Solar Rock festival coming up on Saturday March 27 at Himmel Park, 12 to 6 p.m. There will be the usual 100% solar powered concert on Himmel Park’s “hippie hill”, speakers, food for sale, activities for children, and educational, environmental booths with lots and lots of info on solar power. Fun for all. You can also enter to win a bike donated by Fairwheel Bikes, & other great prizes in the Solar Rock Raffle.

Solar Rock is “an annual 100% Solar Powered festival that aims to educate individuals about renewable energy, climate change, and sustainability.” Live music to be performed by Spirit Familia, Kevin Pakulis, Run Boy Run, Mitzi Cowell, Leila Lopez, Bruce Phillips, Sonar, and others. Click here for the schedule of performers and speakers.

Confirmed speakers to date:

* Vice Mayor Rodney Glassman, City of Tucson Councilmember in Ward 2, co-author with his wife Sasha, of 2010 children’s book “Jeremy Jackrabbit Harvests the Rain”

* Bob Oldfather, Founder & CEO of Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange, champion of recent initiative to make Tucson into “The Solar City”-the capitol of solar design, manufacturing, and installations for the world

*Neil Armstrong, Director of the Department of Energy – Energy Frontier Research Center for Interface Science: Solar Electric Materials & UA Professor of Chemistry/Optical Sciences

* Tony Vaccaro, Owner of Brooklyn Pizza Company and Sky Bar (“an astronomy influenced solar powered planetarium bar”)

* Melanie Lenart, Researcher at the UA’s Institute of the Environment and author of the new book “Life in the Hothouse: How a Living Planet Survives Climate Change”.

* Marc Romito, Renewable Energy Program Manager at Tucson Electric Power (TEP)

Himmel Park is located to the east of Tucson Blvd. between E. 1st Street and E. 3rd Street, and goes as far east as Treat Blvd, all south of E. Speedway, in the Sam Hughes Neighborhood.

I’ve been attending every year and there are always new inventions/ideas/projects/booths in the mix of environmental groups there.

See www.solarrocktucson.com for more info.

Don’t forget the sunscreen.