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Southern IL - On Saturday, October 4th,  you can find out how your neighbors are trimming their energy bills, increasing their energy independence, and taking steps to address global warming here in Southern Illinois.  Solar powered homes and businesses will be open for public tours as part of the American Solar Energy Society's 13th annual National Solar Tour. By going on the Heartland Solar Tour you can learn about solar technologies and the rebates you can receive if you add solar. Find a tour near you by going to www.TheEnergySolutions.com or call 800-229-0453

Solar Tour

Neighbors Band Together to Create World’s Largest Solar Energy Event

More Than 5,000 Homes, Schools & Businesses Participating In
13th Annual ASES National Solar Tour To Help Southern Illinois Residents
Combat Rising Energy Prices & Improve Property Values

Carbondale, Illinois- October 4th 2008 –Advanced Energy Solutions and the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) are bringing together more than 5,000 homes, schools and businesses – in Southern Illinois and across the U.S. –- to introduce neighbors to the solar technologies they are using to 1) drastically reduce monthly energy bills, 2) reduce harmful carbon emissions, and 3) enjoy rich tax credits and cash incentives as they improve their property values. 

Local residents fed up with fossil fuel prices will join more than 100,000 participants nationwide to discover the latest real-world insight on how neighbors can use solar energy and energy efficiency and become more energy independent.

“In the wake of national polls revealing that runaway energy costs is the economic issue Americans believe most personally affects them, the ASES National Solar Tour brings real-life examples of how neighbors are harnessing free energy from the sun to generate electricity, warm and cool their homes, heat water and slash monthly utility bills,” said Neal Lurie, Director of Marketing for the American Solar Energy Society. 

On October 4th, Advanced Energy Solutions and the Heartland Solar Tour are organizing a tour of solar powered homes and businesses throughout Southern Illinois.  

The self-guided tours, which last year attracted more than 115,000 people in 46 U.S. states, afford participants the direct perspectives of homeowners and installers about the costs, components, and economic and environmental benefits of going solar.

Tour goers have the opportunity to take a drive through the beautiful Shawnee National Forest and the Southern Illinois Wine Trail while visiting many different forms of renewable energy in use. “The tours also give Southern Illinoisans a glimpse at how an increasing number of local families are going solar,” said Aur Beck of Advanced Energy Solutions. “It’s part of a national collaboration of unprecedented proportion to help Americans address a critical problem, while introducing them to an array of clean, effective solutions that generate ongoing economic and environmental rewards.

This event -- billed as the largest solar energy event in the history of the United States – is FREE and open to open to the public. Details are available at: www.NationalSolarTour.org

For directions and complete descriptions of all the open house visit the website at TheEnergySolutions.com or call (800) 229-0453

2008 Illinois Tour Sponsors

Holistic Healing Arts www.feelgooddoc.net
Illinois Renewable Energy Association www.illinoisrenew.org
Illinois Solar Energy Association www.illinoissolar.org
Illinois Clean Energy Foundation www.illinoiscleanenergy.org  
Advanced Energy Solutions www.AESsolar.com
Southern IL Center for a Sustainable Future www.sicsf.org

About the American Solar Energy Society
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's oldest and largest organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the global environment. ASES promotes the widespread near-term and long-term use of solar energy. ASES sponsors the National Solar Energy Conference, publishes SOLAR TODAY magazine and Advances in Solar Energy, publishes white papers, sponsors issue Roundtables in Washington, D.C., distributes solar publications, organizes a Solar Action Network and has regional chapters Nationwide. ASES is the United States Section of the International Solar Energy Society.

About the Illinois Renewable Energy Association
The Illinois Renewable Energy Association's mission is to be a network for sharing ideas, resources and information with individuals, businesses, and communities to promote a resilient future through renewable energy, energy efficiency, and earth friendly technology. The Illinois Renewable Energy Association's web site is www.illinoisrenew.org

About Advanced Energy Solutions
Advanced Energy Solutions sells, installs, & educates about Renewable Energy which saves you money & helps you produce your own electricity through energy efficiency, solar, wind & micro-hydro power. AESsolar.com     

Remember to stay energized!

About the Southern IL Center for a Sustainable Future
The Southern Illinois Center for a Sustainable Future protects and enhances the environment through teaching, research, service, and action. SICSF fosters a community that sustains ecological systems and educates for environmental awareness, global thinking, and local action. We seek to make environmentally sound practices the norm for the City of Carbondale, SIUC, and the surrounding communities.