November Tampa Bay Sierra Club General Meeting: The Many Uses of Solar Power

Speaker: John Gambill, President of Hotwire Enterprises

5:30 pm - Conservation Committee Meets

6:30 pm - Social time and new member orientation

7:00 pm - Presentation begins

Meeting Location:
Hilton Garden Inn
1700 E. 9th Ave.
Ybor City (769-9267)
Map

Anyone who owns a home or business knows the high cost of conventional energy. Many consumers are unhappy with not only the increasing costs, but increased reliance on dirty coal to supply electricity. Here in the Sunshine State, there are many advantages to seeking out solar power as an alternative form of energy. For grid-tied home-owners, it is possible for a solar electric installation to pay for itself within a few years, and future electrical power is free from the sun for the next 40 years or so.

John Gambill and his wife and business partner Libbie Ellis are the owners of Hotwire Enterprises, their home-based business in Tarpon Springs. They became involved in alternative energy when they spent four years sailing the Caribbean, powering their 36-foot boat with the help of a wind generator and solar panel. In 1998, they returned to the States to work full-time in the alternative energy business designing and installing power-related systems that harness wind and sun for use in boats, RVs, residential, businesses, agriculture and public safety.

This month's program will enlighten us on the various uses of solar power, the types of panels, the cost and basic requirements needed to convert. Most states have incentives available to cover part of the cost of solar installation, and there are other federal programs as well, which John will tell us about.

Some of the projects he has designed include solar electric homes, solar battery charging for ambulances, solar powered street lights on the Hillsborough Community College campus in Ybor City, solar water pumping for a remote pasture on a cattle ranch, GPS battery charging for kayaks, electric gate opening devices, laptop battery charger, and solar sign lighting.

Pretty much everything that can be done with electricity can be done with solar power, says John.

Don't miss this interesting presentation!

Sierra Club meetings are free and open to the general public.

For more information, contact Marcia Biggs at 727-797-6261 or marciabiggs@yahoo.com