Positive News US is a free, not for profit newspaper published four times a year in Ithaca, NY. We report on successful projects around the world in the areas of sustainability, social equality, education and happiness, with a clear message that "another world is possible."
more...
| a part of Positive News International |
Solarfest: An alternative music festival |
Photo © Clay Turnbull
by Bob Nape
Is it possible? A progressive music festival bringing people together for a weekend of dance, crafts and education, all completely powered by solar energy ? It happens every year at the annual Solarfest at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont. This year's sixth event took place on the weekend of July 10th and 11th.
In years past, the festival was located on a remote mountain-side in Middle Springs, Vermont and was "off-grid" (not connected to the utility lines). This meant that all the electricity was either produced by photovoltaic panels (pv) and stored in batteries or produced by a back-up generator. With the move to Green Mountain College two years ago, the festival became "grid-tied". A large on-site solar array is constructed in advance and feeds electric current back into the grid, offsetting all the electricity usage of the event. This is indicative of a larger trend in the solar electric industry, using the utility grid in a "give and take" relationship and not relying on batteries for storage.
Visitors to Solarfest were delighted with the diversity of the music including Pamela Means and John Brown's Body, the easy accessability and friendliness of all the vendors and exhibitors, and especially with the educational workshops that took place in the college facilities. Three conference rooms ran concurrently all weekend long with accomplished guest speakers addressing sustainability topics such as PV Design Basics, Straw Bale Construction, Bio-fuel Vehicle Primer and Fuel Cell Technology and the Hydrogen Economy. "Great ideas for the future and great atmosphere," one of the participants, Elizabeth Salon, sums up the festival.
www.solarfest.org
(802) 287-9135
Is it possible? A progressive music festival bringing people together for a weekend of dance, crafts and education, all completely powered by solar energy ? It happens every year at the annual Solarfest at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont. This year's sixth event took place on the weekend of July 10th and 11th.
In years past, the festival was located on a remote mountain-side in Middle Springs, Vermont and was "off-grid" (not connected to the utility lines). This meant that all the electricity was either produced by photovoltaic panels (pv) and stored in batteries or produced by a back-up generator. With the move to Green Mountain College two years ago, the festival became "grid-tied". A large on-site solar array is constructed in advance and feeds electric current back into the grid, offsetting all the electricity usage of the event. This is indicative of a larger trend in the solar electric industry, using the utility grid in a "give and take" relationship and not relying on batteries for storage.
Visitors to Solarfest were delighted with the diversity of the music including Pamela Means and John Brown's Body, the easy accessability and friendliness of all the vendors and exhibitors, and especially with the educational workshops that took place in the college facilities. Three conference rooms ran concurrently all weekend long with accomplished guest speakers addressing sustainability topics such as PV Design Basics, Straw Bale Construction, Bio-fuel Vehicle Primer and Fuel Cell Technology and the Hydrogen Economy. "Great ideas for the future and great atmosphere," one of the participants, Elizabeth Salon, sums up the festival.
www.solarfest.org
(802) 287-9135
Announcements
What do You find hopeful in the world today? Please contribute a short paragraph and be published in Positive News. We are currently selecting...
more >
The California Edition of Positive News is well on the way! We are looking for volunteers to help make it happen. To join our team contact...
more >
