Local businesses to participate in National Solar Tour this Saturday
Warwick October is National Energy Awareness Month and the annual National Solar Tour is scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 1. A group of local energy professionals will also gather outside 37 Oakland Ave. in the Village of Warwick to provide informative literature and expert advice to anyone interested. According to its Web site, the American Solar Energy Society annual National Solar Tour is the world’s largest grassroots solar event. It is primarily designed to offer the public an opportunity to tour innovative green homes and buildings to see first hand how solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies can reduce monthly utility bills. “The Town of Warwick has become a hot spot for solar hot water,” said Patrick Gallagher of Gallagher Solar Thermal. “When we complete one more installation there will be three homes on Oakland Avenue enjoying independent solar hot water.” Jerry and Lucy Fischetti at 37 Oakland Ave. will host this year’s National Solar Tour. Gallagher explained that the Fischettis are senior citizens who grew up in the Depression and understand the value of a dollar as well as the importance of passing along a clean and well cared for planet to their grandchildren. “Jerry installed solar hot water on his primary residence three years ago and has kept a log every day since the system was commissioned,” said Gallagher. “He has three years of data now and when he realized that the incentives have increased since that time he insisted that Gallagher Solar install a second system on his rental property three houses down on Oakland Avenue.” Fischetti also shared his savings and experience with close friends and neighbors Fran and Neil Sinclair who live at 40 Oakland Ave. The Sinclair’s recently installed extensive energy upgrades to their home and decided that solar hot water also made sense for them. Gallagher Solar Thermal has installed 16 solar hot water and pool-heating systems in and around the Village of Warwick in the last few years and the Town of Warwick Town Hall was recently added to that list. The free National Solar Tour will be held at 37 Oakland Ave. between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For additional information call 258-0749 or visit: nationalsolartour.org