“The National Solar Tour gives people the chance to meet directly with others who have incorporated energy efficiency and solar design features in their buildings to save energy,” said Brad Collins, American Solar Energy Society’s executive director. “Visitors can experience the comfort of increased daylight in buildings, learn about the benefits of solar and other forms of renewable energy, watch electric meters run backwards, and see the actual savings on utility bills in buildings in their community. But most importantly, they can learn from their neighbors about what works in their town.”

The Oakland University solar roof project is an example of a building-integrated photovoltaic system using a unique, solar-electric shingle. This system generates more than 1,000 kilowatt-hours per year, or enough energy to power two or three modest-sized homes. 

The tour consists of more than 1,800 homes, businesses and public buildings open to visitors in 800 communities across the United States. Participants will have the opportunity to see firsthand the successful use of many forms of renewable energy, including passive solar design, wind energy, solar hot water and solar-electric generating systems in a variety of buildings.