RELI: Press Releases

HERE COMES THE SUN
LARGEST SOLAR TOUR IN THE WORLD SHINES ON LI

Self-guided open house tour features latest solar and green building technologies

[Long Island, NY, October 2, 2008] Imagine hefty savings on your energy bill while reducing carbon emissions. That’s already a reality for the 1,400 Long Islanders who’ve added solar panels to their homes and businesses.

On October 4, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., these energy-savvy islanders are opening their doors to let their neighbors see first-hand how harnessing the power of the sun provides a clean, safe and money-saving way to meet their energy needs.

At 75 locations across Long Island, visitors can go door to door during the self-guided and free “National Solar Tour and Green Building Open House” and find out why it’s a financially and environmentally smart move to add solar, geothermal and other forms of green building technologies to their homes and work places.

Visitors will see homes that generate more solar electricity than they can use and watch as their neighbors’ electric meters spin backwards feeding power back to LIPA.

“The attractive financial incentives, coupled with the present uncertainty in the financial markets, make this the perfect time to add solar and other clean energy alternatives to our homes and businesses,” said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI), which is organizing the tour in our region. “An investment in solar power comes with a guaranteed financial return in the form of dramatically lower energy bills and that’s difficult to find these days on Wall Street”.

“LIPA is proud to partner with RELI and the generous homeowners who have opened their homes to friends and neighbors to get a first hand look at the benefits of using solar energy," said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law. "With the help of LIPA's Solar Pioneer program, which boasts close to 1,400 participants and has resulted in more than $35 million in LIPA rebates, Long Island has become a leader in solar power throughout the entire state."

New to the tour this year, visitors can pick up a free copy of the 44-page LIGreenGuide, a consumer directory and guide to green professionals and businesses on the Island, compiled for the first time by Renewable Energy Long Island.

Before going on the self-guided tour of 75 solar tour host sites, visitors must sign up for their free visitor’s pass and can then see an interactive map and detailed listing with photographs of all locations.

The Free Visitors Pass and information on the tour and solar energy technologies and incentives are available at www.RenewableEnergyLongIsland.org

Free Visitors Passes and information on the tour and green building and solar energy technologies and incentives are available at www.RenewableEnergyLongIsland.org or by calling RELI at (631) 329-8888.

# # #
Note to editors: a map, photos and a list with detailed host site descriptions can be accessed by signing up for a visitor's pass at http://www.renewableenergylongisland.org/tourguests.cfm

# # #
RELI is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit membership organization promoting clean,
sustainable energy use for Long Island.
Gordian Raacke, Executive Director, Renewable Energy Long Island
62 Newtown Lane, Suite 103
East Hampton, NY 11937
Phone: 631-329-8888 Fax: 877-619-5572
info@RenewableEnergyLongIsland.org www.RenewableEnergyLongIsland.org