An event at seven sites to promote use of renewable energy sources in Northwest Indiana drew some intense interest from those who took the self-guided tour Saturday

The region's first exposure to the National Solar Tour of the American Solar Energy Society was organized by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association, which also promotes wind and geothermal technologies.

"We want to educate people so they can make informed decisions about renewable energy," said Tracy Hall, a teacher at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 697 apprenticeship training center. "There are a lot of operators out there selling systems, and what's right for one person may not be right for someone else,"

"My largest expense (in radio) is electricity, $4,000 a month," he said.

In June, IBEW Local 531 apprentices installed a photovoltaic solar array behind the church that was paid for with a grant obtained from BP, according to the church newsletter.

Even on a cloudy morning, the system put out 25 percent to 50 percent of its rated capacity of 1.3 kilowatts.

A data collection box for the system in the maintenance building monitors power output, estimated savings and reduction from conventional energy sources in carbon dioxide production, Hall said.

One of the first to arrive at St. Patrick Parish in Chesterton for the start of the two-county tour was Valparaiso businessman Leigh Ellis, president of Radio One Communications.

Ellis said he wanted to learn about solar and wind power for his radio stations and geothermal power for his home.

In Eden Ridge south of Valparaiso, veterans hospital project manager John Vasos installed solar panels in his yard in 2008 to heat water to warm his 2,000-square-foot home and added four wind turbines in 2009 at a total cost of $8,000 and saving an estimated 30 percent on winter utility bills.

"If you're going to go green, go aesthetically pleasing to your neighbors," said Vasos, explaining the native plantings around the array.

Neighbor Dennis La France said the blades of the small turbines make no noise, even in a 50-mph wind.

Wheeler High School physics teacher Dan Kenning self-installed a geothermal system in his Porter Township home in 2007 at a cost of $12,472, which got him a one-time federal tax credit of $3,580 and an annual property tax deduction of $332, as well as saving $1,200 a year in NIPSCO "Good Cents" discounts.

"I did quite a bit of research to see whether this was a fad. Doing the work myself saved a lot of money," he said.
He said the system pumps groundwater into the unit in his basement, removes some of the heat energy, and returns it to a pond in his yard 10 degrees cooler.

Other stops on the tour were in Merrillville, Munster and St. John.