Alan Northcutt, the founder of the Waco Friends of the Climate Group, is showing off his All Electric Home with PVC in Waco Oct. 5-6.
Get a closeup look at homes using solar and other energy efficient features during the National Solar Tour this weekend.
Texas has six locations this year with homes in Fairview, Irving, Waco and Austin open during the nationwide event, held Oct. 4-6. See map.
Launched in 1995, the self-guided grassroots tour is hosted by the American Solar Energy Society to promote renewable energy awareness and increase the adoption of solar energy. The tour offers a unique opportunity to see real-life applications and talk to homeowners about their home's features.
In previous years, the North Texas Renewable Energy Group held one of the largest local Solar Tours in the U.S. for more than decade. The DFW Solar Tour ended its run in 2022.
This year, two homes will be hosted by NTREG members Paul Westbrook and Bill Byrom as independent participants. Their houses offer a unique comparison, having been built nearly 30 years apart. The Westbrook home, built in 1996, shows off a variety passive and active solar and other energy saving features that have stood the test of time. Meanwhile, the Byrom home completed last year offers some of the latest technology.
Paul Westbrook will be showing off the home he designed and built in 1996 in Fairview. Courtesy of the Westbrooks.
The Westbrook House in Fairview is open Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours last about an hour and are held every half hour. RSVP. Read more about the Westbrook house in this recent GSDFW article.
Bill Byrom's home in Irving is officially open Oct. 4, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Oct. 6, noon to 5 p.m. On Oct. 5, NTREG is hosting presentations at the Byrom house starting at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. RSVP. Read more about Bill Byrom's home in this 2023 GSDFW article.
Bill Byrom's home, completed in 2023, will be open Oct. 4-6 in Irving. Rendering courtesy of Bill Byrom.
Also Alan Northcutt, the founder of the Waco Friends of the Climate Group, is showing off his All Electric Home with PVC in Waco, Oct. 5-6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..
See tour map for all locations and hours.
National Solar Tour
About: Launched in 1995, the self-guided grassroots tour is hosted by the American Solar Energy Society to promote renewable energy awareness and increase the adoption of solar energy.
When: Oct. 4-6, 2024. Check tour map for open house times of individual homes.
Cost: Free
Locations: Texas has six locations with homes in Fairview, Irving, Waco and Austin. Two homes are located in North Texas including the Westbrook House in Fairview (Oct. 5) and the Byrom home in Irving (Oct. 4, Oct. 5-NTREG Tour, Oct. 6). Also Alan Northcutt, the founder of the Waco Friends of the Climate Group, is showing off his All Electric Home with PVC in Waco (Oct. 5-6). See tour map for all locations and hours.
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