Southwest Virginia hosts “Solar Fair”

Contact:
Lydia Graves, Appalachian Voices, [email protected], (276) 679-1691

The Southwest Virginia Solar Workgroup is hosting a Solar Fair on May 9 at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. This event is free and open to the public. All are encouraged to come enjoy free solar powered fun and food.

Attendees will have the opportunity meet SPARC-E, Mountain Empire Community College’s off-the-grid,
5,000-watt, mobile solar system built by students. And they can get an up-close and personal view of solar
energy systems and see how they work. The Empty Bottle String Band will be performing live. Inflatables, fun,food and games will be on site free of charge- all powered by the sun.

The event is scheduled for 5-7 p.m., at the David J. Prior Convocation Center on the UVa-Wise campus.

The Solar Workgroup is comprised of nonprofit and community action agencies, colleges, state agencies, planning district commissions and other interested citizens and businesses seeking to develop a renewable energy industry cluster in the seven coalfield counties of Southwest Virginia.

The workgroup is excited to host the Solar Fair in conjunction with the May 10 Economic Forum at UVa-Wise. Families, students are especially encouraged to attend this free community event.

Appalachian Voices will announce the winners of its mini-grants for middle and high school students. Two $500 grants will be awarded to teams of students for developing a “Solar in Your School” project plan to be implemented in the fall. see www.swvasolar.org for more information.

The Solar Fair is also the launch event of the Solarize Wise residential solarization program — a collaborative
effort to make it cheaper and easier for homeowners, small businesses and farmers to install solar power
in Wise County.

For more information about the Solar Fair and Solarize Wise:

• Email Lydia Graves at [email protected]
• Call Lydia at (276) 679-1691
• Visit the Solar Fair website.
• And be sure to “like” the Southwest Virginia New Economy Facebook page for additional upcoming community events and giveaways.

Protecting the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountain Region