Solar energy tour sets in Carson

In an effort to educate city leaders on how to turn renewable energy into reality, SunEdison " North America's largest solar energy services provider " brought its City Tour for Solar display to the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada on Saturday.

Renewable energy is gaining in popularity through greater public demand as the costs of heating oil, natural gas and electric continue to rise.

City Tour for Solar Team Leader Nora Ureste said the exhibit has been well received throughout the 50 cities they have visited in the Western United States. Carson City was the last city on a 100-day tour.

"The response has been great," Ureste said. "Everybody has been very positive about solar energy, but of course their biggest concern is the cost."

Ureste said the way for communities to develop solar energy is for its residents to advocate for solar energy.

"Solar energy has a 99 percent approval rating," Ureste said. "So there's not a lot of people out there saying no to having it."

Daphne Lester of San Jose, Calif., brought her grandchildren, Jasmine Posada, 5, and Elijah Posada, 7, both of Truckee, to check out the Children's Museum while their parents, Rachael and Andrew Posada, were busy with the AYSO soccer tournament.

"When you touch this screen, you can see how many homes can be powered by solar energy," Elijah said. "On this building, if there is solar energy, you can power 272 homes."

According to a study released by Navigant Consulting, by 2016, the solar energy sector could create upward of 1.2 million job opportunities, 440,000 of which will be permanent. Nine thousand new jobs supporting nearly 41,000 job years of new employment are forecast for Nevada alone.

Ureste said she and others with City Tour for Solar are scheduled to meet with area leaders Monday during a leadership breakfast.

For information, visit www.CityTourforSolar.com.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.