Michigan Energy Fair

From Great Lakes Wiki

The annual Michigan Energy Fair was held June 22-24, 2007 at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama Township.
The fair featured more than 100 exhibitors and 60 workshops. Fair officials said more than 4,000 people turned out, and that fair hours were extended to increase the number of workshops and tours.

Attendance grew by 60% from the 2006 event and the event drew attendees from across the country. Workshops covered green building, financing of renewable energy projects, energy efficiency and sustainable living. More than 220 volunteers ran the five day event.

Jennifer Alvarado, executive director of the GLREA, said in a press release that “this exceptional level of volunteer assistance shows that the public really supports renewable energy use and they are willing to do their own part to help make the transition to renewables in Michigan happen.”

Donna Napolitano of Mechanical Energy Systems in Canton, Mich., was an exhibitor for the second time at the fair. She told organizers that her company is already following up on potential quotes for systems that they received at the fair. Napolitano said the event “attracted both customers who were impressed with the knowledge that they gained from the event and dealers who were interested in becoming a part of the solar energy market.”

The renewable energy home tour visited several home and business sites in Northwestern Michigan. Tours were also offered of Hybrid Homes new build in Onekama, a home currently undergoing review for LEED-H Platinum designation – the first of its kind in Michigan. Transportation for these tours was provided by the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA). BATA provided a 27-foot low-emission hybrid-electric bus for the Hybrid Home tour, a specialized bus that runs on biodiesel when in hybrid mode. Peter Sinclair, trained by former Vice-President Al Gore to deliver the An Inconvenient Truth presentation through The Climate Project, delivered two workshops during the weekend.

Friday evening keynote speaker Eric Larsen detailed his trips to the North Pole and the effects of global warming on the region. The evening’s music was provided by the local zydeco and creole band, K Jones and the Benzie Playboyz. Another new feature of the Fair this year was a solar stage for musical performances and the fair’s Kid’s Day. Power supply to the stage in the Kid’s Tent and Entertainment area was provided by the solar panels of Northwestern Michigan College, which generated power throughout the day – storing it in a battery system in a renewable energy trailer.

Alvarado said in a press release that “the event’s high attendance provided the fantastic ability for attendees – from residents to business owners – to be able to interact, find out how systems work, how they can be more efficient and how to make these systems work for them.”

Next year's energy fair is scheduled for June 27-29. Exhibitor packets will be available this. Check out the site for more information.

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