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Solar Energy Systems Earn Time

Posted on: Friday, 7 October 2005, 00:00 CDT

By Shirley Morgan, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.

Oct. 3--The American Solar Energy Society's national tour Saturday featured two Austin stops for anyone interested in learning more about this alternative energy source.

Good Earth Natural Foods, 120 Third Ave. N.W., is owned by Caron Jagodzinski, who believes solar energy is a necessity.

"The future looks bright for solar energy, but we need to take action now. It's a thing we have to do," she said.

Jagodzinski also uses a solar system at her home and calculates that, at current rates, she receives free electricity about every fourth month.

Tom Yates also opened his home and acreage on U.S. 218 North to the tour. His interest in solar energy began in 1978, when he used his electronics degree to install a solar energy system in the family home his father built.

"My interest began to conserve energy, and now about 98 percent of what I do is environmental. It is disgusting that we are not using what we have right around us," he said pointing to the bright fall sunshine.

According to Yates, Saturday's tour was a good starting point for awareness. He believes people are interested in alternative sources of energy, but they need to find the information to get going.

"The Internet is a good source, of course, and the magazine Home Power is an excellent publication. Just pick it up at any bookstore and start learning," he said.

Yates incorporates energy conservation into many aspects of his life. His 1998 Jetta runs on 100 percent biodiesel fuel. His battery-run lawn mower charges using solar panels. When he produces more solar energy than he needs, he sells the excess to the utility company.

"I just have a curiosity of what you can do with sunshine," he said.

Roger Warehime, of Owatonna Public Utilities, was at Good Earth to answer questions about solar energy and other alternative energy programs. He encourages people to follow the state energy bill, which offers a 30 percent tax credit up to $2,000 to those installing solar energy systems after January.

Shirley Morgan is a a freelance writer and teacher at Austin High School.

INFORMATION: For more information on the solar tour, go to www.solartour.net or contact Austin Utilities, 433-8886.

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Source: Post-Bulletin

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