Solar Home Tour

This Fall, the 2010 Hampton Roads Solar Tour will be held on Saturday, September 25th, for the Southside sites and Sunday, September 26th, for the Peninsula sites. Residents and visitors alike will be given the opportunity to get a more personal view of many renewable energy projects, as well as sustainable living and housing techniques. Held in conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Solar Tour, this year's event will feature approximately 20 homes and facilities across the Hampton Roads area that will help bring the idea of greening homes much closer to reality for hundreds of local homeowners.

The various homes display a wide range of green technologies, including solar and wind electric systems, solar hot water and pool heating, super-insulated and energy-efficient homes, LEED-certified homes, green (living) roofs, rain-water cisterns, native plant landscaping, rain gardens, geothermal, as well as passive heating, cooling and ventilation. Owners and volunteers are available at each home to explain the technologies; their advantages, disadvantages, and financial benefits.

Self-guided tours are free or if you prefer, you can take a guided tour on one of our buses for $10.00. The bus tour routes, as well as the start and end times, are listed in our brochures and available upon registration. The self-guided brochures also include detailed information about each site along with a general map of the sites.