What a great tour!
There was so much information packed into one day! Where do I start?

We started at Owens Community College at 9:00am. There was a great turnout. I would guess about 100 people, up from past years I heard. We had three tour buses which shuttled us to each location. It went so fast and I had wished we had more time at each location.

There are some really exciting things coming out of North West Ohio! I was really surprised to see the First Solar manufacturing plant in Perrysburg. This is a world class, global, manufacturing and development facility in our backyard. They are currently “sold out” of their solar panels until late 2011!!! Who has bought the most? Germany! They have created an extremely aggressive shift of move off of fosil fuels and onto green Renewable Energy (RE). Businesses in Germany have purchased land and solar panels in an effort to cash in on this lucrative new business and our local economy will reap the benefits for many years to come.

The University of Toledo is another example of great things on the horizon. They are working with an $18.6 million dollar grant to advance research and business development in the solar community. UT spins off 4 times as many businesses as the national average. First Solar is an example.

The examples of residential installations were amazing! Very clean and very maintenance free. These installations which were in the neighborhood of $10,000 to $12,000 to install were very impressive. While this is a significant investment, a fully funded, $3,500 – $4,200 state rebate program, is making systems like these a legitimate possibility.

For me the highlight of the trip were the wind farms near Bowling Green. I had seen them before, but never this close. It was a very surreal feeling standing under such a massive engineering feat. The whoosh sound as the 135 foot long blades chopped through the air was an impressive sound. And no, bird were NOT falling from the sky! This is somewhat of a myth surrounding these systems. An independent group tracked the impact to local bird population in the first years of this project. Since it’s inception in the area they have now evidence that any bird has every been killed by these wind generators. In fact they have found that the birds stay away from the blades. Next we all got to go into the base of the generator. Wow was that cool! The sound was like nothing I have heard. The closest thing I could compare it too would be the sound of the engine room in the movie Titanic (1997). There is a VERY long ladder which runs up the inside of the support. Of course nobody could climb that in our group, but you could see it stretch of to a fine point way, way up!

And I have included some summary photos below. Enjoy!

9:00 am – 9:30 am – 2249 Tracy Rd. Northwood, OH
The tour kicks off at Owens Community College with a tour of the Center for Workforce Training, formally call the Center for Development and Training (CDT). The PV system was designed and installed by the participants of the Great Lakes Renewable Association Apprentice Training Program in March of 2005. The system consists of two series of strings of (10) 53 Watt Siemens PV modules wired to a SMA 1800U inverter. The rating on the PV array is: Power – 1,060 Watts DC, Voltage – 174 Volts, Current – 6.1 Amps.
Owens Community College Hybrid Ford Escape
Fixed Solar panels and our tour buses for the day
State of the art solar panel used for training
“Sunny Boy” power inverter

9:55 – 10:15 am – 19101 Curtice EW, Curtice, OH
Solterra, Semrock residence
Solterra is an earth-sheltered, passive solar home with six alternate energy sources, including a 2.8 kW solar electric PV system, a wind turbine and a geothermal heating and cooling system. The walls and deck are constructed of ICF forms with insulation values of R50 sidewalls and R80 in roof and ceilings. A Venmar HRS system will cycle clean air in and stale air out. Overhangs block summer heat and let full sun through in winter. A long-term seasonal storage area under the first floor slab stores heat in 220,000 lbs. of gravel. More details can be found on the website www.solterra.info, including actual construction progress.
The Ohio Solar Tour, first stop
Homeowner discusses the numerous features of this amazing house
From the road you can’t notice the tons of earth piled around the rear of the house
Here the solar heat and solar water roof systems are seen. There is about two feet of earth on top of the brick layer
Notice the large overhangs on the first level and a fantastic observatory near the rear
This stone and tile mural provides a story of their lives journey and acts as a passive solar heater during the coldest months

10:40 am – 10:55 am – 28101 Cedar Park Blvd., Perrysburg, OH
First Solar Manufacturing Plant
First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacture of high quality thin film solar modules. First Solar has invested heavily in developing advanced, thin film semiconductor deposition and high volume manufacturing processes essential to achieve the low cost, high product quality and module efficiency required to make solar energy economically viable across a broad range of applications. Sales have been concentrated to a select group of project developers and system integrators engaged in the development of solar power plants in the U.S. and Europe, specifically Germany. First Solar’s production facility, a 200,000 square foot highly automated manufacturing plant located at Perrysburg near Toledo, Ohio, was initially launched in 2001 and then expanded to increase plant capacity to 25 MW in 2005. First Solar is producing PV module products currently used by electric utilities and commercial, distributed generation power plant projects. On the roof of the Perrysburg plant is a 22 kW grid-tied roof installation and mounted with First Solar’s patented EZ MountTM. The system provides peak shaving of electricity used in the module manufacturing process. On a continuing basis, First Solar monitors the system’s performance as a part of their quality control procedures. The building’s south façade and atrium also incorporates PV modules tied to DC lighting circuits.
First Solar manufacturing and development
Engineer/Tour guide explains some of the amazing work they are doing and the future of solar in North West Ohio (and Germany)
A 12Kw solar installation used to test new panels
3 nodes on the installation can be configured

11:05 am – 11:20 am – 577 East Front Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551
The 577 Foundation
The 577 Foundation has made a commitment to supporting the utilization of alternative energy. In the last few months they have been under construction while having a solar photovoltaic system installed. It is a 1.02 kW grid-tied photovoltaic system that includes PV modules, an inverter and a tracking rack. The foundation will also be installing a solar thermal water heating system including two 3.5 x 7 collectors, tank, pump and controls. The collectors will be attached to the roof of the pottery barn and will provide heated water for use in the pottery barn’s sinks, the courtyard bathrooms and the conference room.
Tour bus at The 577 Foundation a preserve near downtown Perrysburg
Information is given on the brand new solar tracker
Solar tracker installed just last week
Seen on the roof is a solar water heater system

11:45 am – 1:15 pm – 2600 Dorr St., Toledo, OH 43607
University of Toledo – Clean and alternative energy incubator and PVIC
For more than 20 years, the University of Toledo has been involved with advancing solar cell technology and is internationally recognized as an industry leader. Their research and technology are providing a foundation for a solar energy industrial cluster that includes a number of firms on the solar energy value chain. As a part of their efforts, the University of Toledo has committed to helping researchers and entrepreneurs in altenative energy nurture and grow their businesses at the Clean and Alternative Energy Incubator. The Incubator is also home to the Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization Center (PVIC). The PVIC is funded by an $18.6 million Wright Center grant from the state of Ohio and brings together 20 Ohio nonprofits, companies and universities with the goal of stimulating the photovoltaics industry in Ohio, generating new high-technology jobs and increasing revenue for the state.
The PVIC building at UT
A full overview of the systems being developed on site
A large solar array on site
A large solar array on site

1:35 pm – 1:50 pm – 4064 Secluded Ravine Ct., Maumee, OH
Collins Residence
The Collins Residence is an energy-efficient home, built by Decker Homes, and features solar energy technology. A 4.3 kW solar electric (photovoltaic (PV)) system integrated into the roof generates power for the home’s electricity needs, producing a net zero-energy usage on an annual basis. Although the home will remain connected to the utility grid, the electric meter runs backward when sending excess electric power to the grid during the daylight hours, while drawing electric power from the grid during the night time hours.
Toyota Prius right at home
A very simple and effective Solar Shingle installation
Solar Shingles and the future of Solar in Ohio is very bright!
Dr. Collins discusses the tremendous potential in the North West Ohio area. “[Ohio] is prime for an explosion of development of new [solar] technologies and industry.”

1:50 pm – 2:05 pm – 4029 Secluded Ravine Ct., Maumee, OH
Decker Homes’ – Solar-Assisted Model Home
Decker Homes built this 2,754 sq. ft. model home with a solar electric photovoltaic (PV) system. It uses SmartRoof solar shingles from Uni-Solar that are similar to typical roofing shingles and do not interfere with the visual aesthetic appearance of the home. This is also an Energy Star home and uses 30 percent less energy than standard homes. Decker Homes, Inc. is the first builder in the Toledo metro area to build a solar-powered home. Using Uni-Solar shingles on the rear, south-side of the home, there is no need for solar panels. For more information, visit www.deckerhomes.com. This exemplifies Building Integerated Photovoltaics (BIPV).
This open house should not be missed
Bill Decker Sr. model energy star home
Another large yet simple solar shingle installation adds to this very green home
A completely maintenance free, computerized, power management system. With net metering you will see the meter run backwards!

2:25 pm – 2:40 pm – 19511 N. Dixie Highway, Bowling Green, OH
Green By Design
Green by Design is a retail and educational source for commercial and residential customers interested in green building. They offer a variety of energy saving, water conserving products for new construction and remodels. You can visit them online at www.starksinc.com or stop by their showroom.
Green by Design and our tour continues
A residential wind generator
A Geo-Thermal heat pump
All things energy-star are showcased here like these thermostats

2:55 pm – 3:10 pm – 15320 Tontogany Rd. (Rt. 6), Bowling Green, OH
Amp Ohio/green Mountain Energy Company Utility-Scale Wind Farm
This “wind farm” contains four 1.8 MW wind turbines that totals 7.2 MW and provides power for nearly 2,000 homes. Each turbine is mounted on a 257-foot tower, has three 132-foot blades, and at its highest point, the turbine is taller than a 30 story building. Partners in the project include the City of Bowling Green, Bowling Green Municipal Utilities, AMP-Ohio, Green Mountain Energy, Wood County Solid Waste Authority and Green Energy Ohio. The City of Bowling Green also installed a solar-powered computerized kiosk that displays performance data on the wind turbines along with educational materials. The kiosk is a touchscreen computer system at the base of the 10 x 10 feet photovoltaic solar array which is installed on a laminated pole 35 feet above the kiosk. The solar array will also power an energy efficient LED street light near the kiosk and both will be connected to the grid. View the wind turbines through an online webcam at www.bgohio.org/electric/webcam.
Until recently, these were the largest wind generators in the U.S.
The site contains a total of four wind generators
Looking up at a beast! That is nearly 300 foot in diameter wing span! Whoosh… Whooshh… Whoosshh!
Enter the beast and a really neat sound! Think the sound from Titanic’s engine room

3:30 pm – 3:45 pm – 17405 Barr Rd., Bowling Green, OH
Scherer Residence
When the Scherers built their Decker home, they insisted on orienting their Energy Star windows for wanted light, furnishing the home with window blinds that add R4.5, installing ceiling fans, including extra roof insulation and making the western wall of 2×6 studs. They also conserve electric usage through Energy Star appliances and their geothermal system. A recirculating pump conserves water by keeping the water in the longest pipe warm during hours of anticipated use. They installed rain gardens to limit water run-off. Behind the net meter that Bowling Green Municipal Utilities has installed, the Scherers also operate a 1.8 kW Skysteam 3.7 wind turbine.
A sunburst sky to finish off a great Solar Tour
Honda Insight
Another example of a “Net Meter”
The furnace and efficient heat pump