A trio of energy fairs, slated for May and June, will offer San Juan County residents a chance to save money, win prizes, and help the San Juan Islands community increase energy resilience and become an energy-saving model for the nation. The fairs are co-hosted by OPALCO and Islands Energy.
These family-friendly events have something for everyone: free energy saving kits, prizes, workshops, solar crafts, and live music. Highlights include a solar home tour, electric vehicles, and demonstrations of energy-related technologies.
Islands Energy, led by the San Juan Islands Conservation District, has partnered with OPALCO’s Member Owned Renewable Energy (MORE) Committee, to coordinate these three Spring fairs – each will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 17th at 95 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor
• Saturday, May 31st at the Lopez Community Center
• Saturday, June 7th at the Village Green in Eastsound
“The goal of the energy fairs is to launch a county-wide program to save energy and promote renewable energy opportunities in the islands, including an exciting new Community Solar program,” said Linda Lyshall, lead organizer of the fairs. “We are building on successes OPALCO has already achieved with their rebate programs and SmartHub.” In 2013, OPALCO issued $412,354 in rebates to members with a total kWh savings of 1,708,309. To learn more about
OPALCO’s rebate program go to www.opalco.com/energy-savings/rebates/ or call the OPALCO Energy Savings team at 376-3586.
At the Energy Fairs, you will receive a free energy kit and free advice from energy efficiency experts. You can also sign up for OPALCO’s SmartHub (eBill tool) and learn how to track your energy use at home. Other energy fair booths and sessions will feature Local Solar Energy installers with information and materials on solar projects, energy efficiency contractors will provide information about retrofits and weatherization, and Islands Energy will sponsor a free family photo booth. A highlight of the fairs will be the Home Energy Efficiency Workshop put on by the Community Energy Challenge and Opportunity Council. The workshop will provide participants with practical advice on ways to save energy and money and cover topics ranging from heating systems and refrigeration to hot water and lighting. Other highlights are the Solar Home Tour and the launch of the Community Solar program. For the first time in OPALCO’s service area, members will be able to participate in local renewable energy by subscribing to a community solar project. Details will be unveiled at the fairs.
The Energy Fairs are free and open to everyone. Due to anticipated demand, reservations for the Home Energy Efficiency Workshop and the Solar Home Tour are recommended. To reserve a spot, please call 360-378-6621 or email energy@sjislandscd.org to pre-register.
Islands Energy is a collaborative group of local and regional nonprofits, sponsored by OPALCO, that is working together to increase energy efficiency, conservation and local energy generation in San Juan County. OPALCO is our member-owned cooperative, powering about 11,000 members on 20 islands in San Juan County since 1937.
Please visit www.sanjuanislandscd.org for more information and updated news on the fair.
