The public is invited to join a tour of homes and businesses that save money using solar energy, as part of a National Solar Tour that kicks off October as Energy Awareness Month. Maui’s participants will join the 45 states and approximately 90,000 attendees who are projected to participate in the national tour sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society.

The free tour on Saturday, Oct. 4, is from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. On the tour, find out how your neighbors are trimming their electric bills, increasing their energy independence and taking steps to address global warming.

The tour will feature properties in North, West, South and Central Maui. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with owners and experts who will discuss the environmental reasons for going solar, as well as the financial savings, including state and federal tax credits that are available. Maui Community College’s solar hot water lab will be highlighted on the tour and UPC Hawai‘i Wind will provide information on the wind farm.

“The state of Hawai‘i is more dependent on imported fossil fuel than any other state in the nation,” said Brad Albert, founder of the Hawai‘i PV Coalition. “It’s time we changed that by using the renewable options available to us. This tour gives Maui residents a first-hand look at solar technology—learning what it is, how it works, and how it decreases our dependence on oil.”

Participants register to attend the tour at www.hawaiipvcoalition.org or by calling 579-8288 for more info.