Shoreline Solar Project

Much has been said recently about "clean" coal for generating electricity, focusing on carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of coal.  Come to this gathering to learn "the rest of the story."  Liz Wiles, Shoreline Solar Project board member and native West Virginian, will present the real dirty side of coal - the extraction of it - with a specific emphasis on mountain-top removal coal mining. Discover why, no matter how cleanly coal could be burned, there never will be a clean way to mine it.

Also speaking will be Ethan Bergerson of the Sierra Club.  Ethan will talk about coal usage in Washington and the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign to make WA a coal-free state.

We'll get you up to date on all those topics.

1. We'll have a legislative update from Olympia. Learn what you can do to help get important new Solar legislation passed!
2. Action Committees and Interest Groups will be formed. We've got great people (you), and lots of interesting areas where your interests and talents can be put to good use.
3. 2009 Solar Fest - Our biggest event of the year! Find out what its all about, and how you can be a part of it.
4. Incentives for Solar in WA. (Federal, State, and local incentives will be discussed)

6:30 PM at Meridian Park School, Library
17077 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Sloan Ritchie, developer of eco-urban homes and townhomes, will present the two most common rating systems available today for residential homes, distinguishing between each certification and identifying opportunities for new green technologies, including solar. Whether a remodel or ground up project, determine if the national US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating or the local Master Builder Association’s Built Green program is right for you.

6:30 PM at Meridian Park School, Library
17077 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Solar Washington member and local solar installer, Brad Burkhartzmeyer and his wife, Susannah, have volunteered on alternative energy projects in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and India in the past two years. What will happen to poverty and population growth as people in developing countries make their own power? What is the cost of a light bulb compared to a kerosene lamp? What's the "pay back" time on a kerosene lamp? In a world full of strife and division, could solar power become the unifying force for our planet? Come and explore these issues as Brad shares his stories about working with people in developing countries.

Peak Oil: by Lex Lindsey

Local Shoreline resident Lex Lindsey was born in Mississippi, raised in Washington DC, and moved to Seattle in 1976 to attend graduate school in Physics at the UW, after graduating from the University of Virginia. He then worked as a software engineer and executive at Boeing and later at Interlinq Software. In recent years he has managed family investments in oil and gas in the South. As a result of this involvement, he became interested in the Peak Oil concept, and has spent considerable time thinking about and researching about this subject.

Shorecrest High School Senior Project Presentation: "Why Solar?"

Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair Presentation
After the presentation we will open up to general discussion on what ideas we have to make this year's Fair a great community event.

Shoreline Solar Project will be hosting a presentation by Christy Nordstrom, a volunteer presenter of The Climate Project's slide show based on Mr. Al Gore's book and movie, An Inconvenient Truth.

Christy Nordstrom of Seattle has recently completed a certificate training program led by former Vice President Al Gore to spread the message about the climate crisis and solutions to global warming.

Christy was one of 1,000 individuals chosen to receive this important training. Each trainee took part in an intensive workshop about the science surrounding the climate crisis, led by Mr. Gore. Many renowned scientists and environmental educators were in attendance. Mr. Gore's goal is simple yet visionary in scope: to deploy these messengers throughout the U.S. - and eventually in other countries - to actively promote presentations to educate and energize the public to take action on global warming solutions.

Can I power or heat my home with solar? Create hot water for the house, Spa or Pool with solar?

Is my house a good candidate for Solar?
What does solar equipment cost? What do I need?
We'll have hands-on samples of system components for Solar electric (Photovoltaics), Solar Hot Water and Solar pool heating systems and help you learn what solar can do for you.

Can I actually earn financial incentives and get tax credits for installing solar?
YES, learn about the 30% Federal Tax CREDIT, sales tax exemptions, and other incentives and rebates that you can get. Washington state has incentives and so does the Federal Government! Adding a solar asset to a home raises the value of the home, too (according to the American Appraisal Institute.).

I've got limited resources. Where should I start?
Learn how spending $1 can save you $5 on solar. Make a solar energy system cover a greater percentage of your household energy load without increasing the size of the system!

If solar is so great, why isn't everyone using it?
Great question! How did the US fall from worldwide solar energy dominance to a distant 3rd place? This presentation will give answers, ideas, and practical solutions that you can put to work right now.

Find out the answers to these and other questions at the November 15th meeting of the Shoreline Solar Project. This presentation is designed for people who'd like to explore the idea of using solar energy for their home, but aren't really sure just what to expect.

   When:    Wednesday, November 15th, 6:30pm
   Where:   Meridian Park School (in the library)
              17077 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline 98133
   Cost:      Free, with a $5 donation suggested


About the Presenter: Larry Owens is co-founder and president of the Shoreline Solar Project. He is also vice-president of Solar Washington, the state affiliate of the American Solar Energy Society. His house includes a solar domestic hot water system and a solar pool heating system. Larry works as a full time solar specialist for Northwest Mechanical, Inc in Shoreline; a company with nearly 30 years history installing solar energy solutions. Northwest Mechanical was the first business in Shoreline to install solar electric and solar hot water systems on it's own commercial building.

Dave Reid and Robert Nelson will explore the questions surrounding sustainable living, our economy, and how our money systems can thwart our efforts to build a sustainable future for our community.

Hybrid - Biodiesel - Electric ? Which vehicle is right for you? How do different vehicles stack up environmentally? Is there any way to compare vehicles side by side as to greenhouse gases? An overview of the Green Score System and how the vehicles we drive affect Global Warming, resource depletion, pollution and alternative fuels. What's a passionate environmentalist to drive?

Susan Fahnestock - General Manager of the Green Car Company in Kirkland will be our guest speaker at this month's Shoreline Solar Project presentation and meeting. She'll be driving one of the new Smart Cars imported from Germany and made US street legal in California. You've got to see it to believe it. 45+ mpg, highway speeds, good looking, safety features, and much more.