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Maryland Tour of Solar and Green Homes 2013

Maryland Tour of Solar and Green Homes 2013

The Annual Solar Tour of Homes is organized by a staff of dedicated volunteers to educate the public on the positive aspects of solar energy and sustainable design.

This year we have over 48 solar and green homes on tour. Homes are open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, October 5 and 6. Plan your trip in advance with our handy centerfold maps. As you tour the homes, consider energy improvements to your own home.

The self-guided tour of solar and green homes is always held on the first weekend in October. The tour booklet (16MB download of the 2013 booklet) contains maps, directions to each home as well as informative articles.

The printed tour booklet is available for $2 at these locations:

Beans & Bagels
49 East Patrick St.
Frederick, MD

Trail House
17 S. Market St.
Frederick, MD

Main Cup
14 W. Main St.
Middletown, MD

Common Market
5813 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD

Mom’s Frederick
5273 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD

South Mountain Creamery
8305 Bolivar Road
Middletown, MD 21769

The 2013 tour will be on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will highlight a variety of design, technology and sustainable living concepts being used in homes throughout Maryland and the panhandle of WV.

Most homes and buildings on the tour contain a combination of renewable energy and energy conservation features. Some highlights include:

  • Photovoltaic (pv) systems
  • Solar hot water systems
  • Geothermal systems
  • Wind power turbines
  • Green roof and water conservation
  • Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
  • Energy-saving building construction techniques

Some homeowners also practice additional conservation measures, such as composting, native plantings, water gardens and drive fuel-efficient or alternative energy vehicles.

Additional homes located in MD, VA and DC can be viewed on our Sister Solar Tour, the Annual Washington, D.C. Tour of Solar Homes & Buildings.

How to Show Your Home on the 2013 Tour

To include your home on the tour, please use the “Contact” form on this website to submit your request before May 1, 2014.

Solar Tour Advertising and Sponsorships

For sponsorhips and advertising in the 2014 Maryland or Washington DC Metropolitan area Tour of Homes, please use the “Contact” form on this website to submit your request. The deadline for Ad submissions is June 1, 2014.

Full-page ad: 5 in. x 8 in.
Half-page ad: 5 in. x 4 in.
Quarter-page ad: 2.5 in. x 4 in.
Business card sized ad: 2.5 in. x 1.5 in.

  • Washington DC Metro guide artwork sizes here

About Us

The Annual Tour of  Solar and Green Homes is organized by a staff of dedicated volunteers to educate the public on the positive aspects of Solar Energy. We are a not for profit 501 (c)(3) organization interested in promoting sustainability and renewable energy.

MEA Game Changer Grant

MEA Game Changer Grant

photo by: Stewart Russell via flickr, licensed under creative commons

Maryland Goes Green partnering with LCPF (Land & Cultural Preservation Fund) was recently awarded a Maryland Energy Administration “Game Changer” grant for “Community-Scale Wind Project Assessments” to develop community-scale wind projects.

Up to five sites will be identified, resulting in the deployment of several Megawatts (MW) of new community wind generation. The experiences of these sites will provide guidance for other communities to deploy wind energy generation throughout the state.

LCPF, in collaboration with Associated Wind Development (AWD), will use sonic detection and ranging (SODAR) technology to assess and identify likely community wind project sites across Maryland, such as the Quaker Camp in Frederick County. It is expected that this project will accelerate the deployment of new community wind generation.

Electric Cars are Charging Down the Highway!

Electric Cars are Charging Down the Highway!

This year has been the best year yet for electric car fans. The Big Auto companies are bringing some great products to market. On the 2012 solar tour, local dealers provided some fantastic examples, such as a Chevy Volt, the Nissan Leaf and a Toyota Prius Plug-in for you to check out!

Chevy Volt © 2012 General Motors

The Chevy Volt with their plug in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has led the way. Several local DC area folks have been tooling around in their Volts and even brought them to the EV drag and autocross races sponsored by some of the same people who help put on the Solar Tour. See www.powerofdc.com for pictures and all the action. The Volt can go about 40 miles on batteries using electricity from the wall socket, at a cost of 75 cents per gallon equivalent, before the batteries are depleted and the Volt reverts to 36 mpg hybrid mode, just like a Prius, using gasoline to drive as far as you want.

Nissan Leaf © 2012 Nissan

Nissan’s LEAF is a very slick all electric 5 seater vehicle with a 100 mile all electric range, but no gasoline motor to back it up. It is great. Very quiet, quick, smooth. Who could ask for a better vehicle? The only potential drawback is the range, but you should know that the average commute is well under that 100 mile range.

There are lots of other PHEVs [Fisker Karma] and EVs [Smart Fortwo, Ford Focus] coming to market very soon. Join us. Buy or lease an EV. Locally, the Electric Vehicle Association of DC, www.evadc.org is leading the “charge” with monthly meetings in Silver Spring, MD, parades, community fairs and ride and drive events, among others.

Originally published, 2012 Maryland Solar Tour guide by Charlie Garlow