ASES Chapter News | ASES News | Educational Opportunities | RE Jobs | www.ases.org           ASES News   National Solar Tour Highlights Energy Independence. The theme of the National Solar Tour, “Real Places for Real People” highlights that real solutions for energy independence are available here and now and can be seen in neighbor’s homes and many local schools, churches, government buildings and businesses. The 11th annual ASES National Solar Tour starts early in September with Oregon’s Build It Green tour and continues into November. The majority of tours are scheduled on National Solar Tour Day, Saturday October 7th. You can find local dates, tour directions and directions for a tour near you at www.NationalSolarTour.org. The tour answers many common questions including what alternatives and technologies are available for heating and cooling homes, powering appliances and making a healthy environment for families, workers, and students. The tour brings answers to most questions about incentives and connection issues from experts and homeowners who how are glad to speak with you about their experience. The SOLAR TODAY tour pamphlet that ASES distributes through tours nationwide provides case studies and resources that can help tour guests take next steps to learn about installation options. Visit a National Solar Tour event and see how your neighbors are helping to show the public, media and policy makers that renewable energy and energy efficiency are solutions available here and now to make America energy independent, increase job growth, and reduce pollution and global warming. See www.NationalSolarTour.org for a tour near you. ASES' First Legacy School Rebuilt. Barnard Legacy School. In 2001, the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) launched a new program called the Legacy School’s program. Legacy Schools is a way for ASES to leave a lasting impression in each of the host cities for ASES annual Conference. The first Legacy School was Barnard Elementary School in Washington, DC which was scheduled to be torn down and rebuilt, although ASES did not know that at the time of Barnard’s selection as the 2001 Legacy School. Even though the construction of the new school put the installation of the new solar panels on hold for several years, the rest of the program went forward as planned. A Barnard teacher was selected and trained through the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED), and the school district was provided with energy efficiency strategies which were implemented in the new Barnard building. In the five years since Barnard’s selection as a Legacy School, the entire student body has had the opportunity to learn about using renewable energy and energy efficiency and how the use of those technologies can affect the students' lives and community. During the past year, construction on the new school was completed and the solar panels were installed on August 21, 2006 completing the process and making Barnard an official member of the ASES Legacy School virtual school district. ASES’ partners, Bonneville Energy, Vote for Change and the EPA ENERGY STAR for Schools Program were instrumental in making this project happen by providing the photovoltaic panels and their installation. Barnard joins schools in Reno, NV; Austin, TX; Portland, OR; and Denver, CO as recipient of the Legacy Schools award. SOLAR 2006 Drew 1,900 Solar Enthusiasts. SOLAR 2006, held in Denver, Colorado from July 8 – 13th, 2006, was a great success. To see a wrap-up of the Conference written by Chuck Kutscher (Conference Chair), visit this link. http://www.cres-energy.org/newhtml/about_crec.html       Sunbeam is published by the American Solar Energy Society, 2400 Central Ave., Suite A, Boulder, CO 80301, P: 303.443.3130, F: 303.443.3212, ases@ases.org, www.ases.org. To unsubscribe, or make a comment or suggestion, contact Carolyn Beach: cbeach@ases.org.