Michigan Sustainable Homes & Businesses Tour
(formerly Michigan Solar Tour)
Part of the ASES National Solar Tour
October 6, 2007
10 am - 4 pm
The solar tour is free and self-guided. Visit as many sites as you would like from 10am to 4pm, in any order that you would like.  Enjoy the good energy, and have fun!

Greater Lansing Area
Metro Detroit Area
Greater Ann Arbor Area
Southwest Michigan Area
Greater Marquette Area
Greater Traverse City Area
Greater Grand Rapids Area
Northwest Michigan Area

Southwest Michigan Area Tour
Regional Coordinator:
Bob Kildea (rlkildea@sbcglobal.net or 269-372-2496)

Brown's Solar Powered Farm
3297 South M-37 Hwy, Hastings

Over 3,000 watts of solar and wind generated electricity are used to power a machine tool shop, electric car, forklift, and a fleet of electric lawnmowers. Also features homemade solar thermal system for heating two structures. Stop by and meet the retired science and auto teacher reborn as renewable energy enthusiast.

Directions:
From I-94:
Take the I-94-BR exit (exit number 92) toward Springfield/Battle Creek. Merge onto I-94 BR east toward Springfield/Battle Creek. Turn left onto MI-37/Helmer Rd N. Continue to follow MI-37 for approximately 20 miles. You will pass Coburn Rd. on your right. The home is about 1000 feet beyond Coburn. If you pass E. Quimby Rd. you have gone too far.

Click here for Mapquest area map

Conklin Building,
2141 South M-37, Hastings

Come and learn how this commercial building benefits from using a solar thermal wall to reduce heating costs. The flush mounted solar wall represents a simple installation and is a very effective application.

Directions:
This site is one mile north of Bob Browns’ Solar Farm (above) on M-37.

Click here for Mapquest area map

Glasser / Jones Home
1918 Grand Ave., Kalamazoo

This home features a wide variety of sustainable features.  In addition to a solar photovoltaic and solar hot water system, the home uses fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, energy efficient and DC appliances and ecological landscaping to cut down on energy use.  In addition, the home also owns their own solar cooker.  This is one site not to be missed!

Directions:
Go North from I-94 on US-131 to the Westmain exit 36A (East M-43) towards Downtown Kalamazoo.  Approaching from the North on US-131 would be the same exit number.  After approximately 2 miles, turn right on Dartmouth and go 3 blocks to Grand.  The house is located on the corner.

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James / Dulaney Home
11200 Bacon Road, Plainwell

This is an earth-bermed passive solar home.  It is super-insulated and contains a root cellar.  The home also has significant solar mass, is heated with wood and has insulated window shades.

Directions coming from the north:
Take 131 South from Grand Rapids.  Exit Martin East on 116th. Ave.   East 1 mi. to Martin, straight through stop light about 5 mi. to stop sign at 2nd. St. and turn Left.  North 1 mi. to 118th. Ave. (first road) and turn Right.   East about 3 mi. to stop sign in Orangeville, straight through 1 mi. to "T" intersection at Lindsey Rd. and turn Right.  South 1-1/2 mi. to Bacon Rd. (Dead End) and turn Left.   East 1/4 mi. to the end and turn Left (you can't see the house.)

Directions coming from the South:
From US-131 South take exit 49A (M-89) towards Plainwell.  When you reach the stoplight at Main St in downtown Plainwell turn left (North) on to Main.  Go North approximately 1 mile to 106th Avenue and turn right (East).   This road will change names to Marsh Road after a bend to the left.  After approximately 10 miles you will come to Lewis Road on your right (East).  Follow Lewis until it ends at Lindsey Road.  Turn Right (South) on Lindsey.  The first road on the left will be Bacon.  This is a dirt road.  Follow the road to the house.  Signs will be posted.

Click here for a Mapquest area map.

Kaufman/ Geisler Home
25485 County Road 681, Bangor

This off-grid 1800 sq. ft. saltbox style home feature passive solar design, and makes electricity with a hybrid solar and wind system. The home is heated by passive solar, a masonry stove, and a radiant-floor system. Other features include energy efficient appliances, earth-berming, and separate DC and AC circuits. Click here for more information about this must-see home.

Directions:
Take the M-43 W, west of Kalamazoo toward South Haven to Bangor. Turn right onto N Center St / CR-681 in downtown Bangor. The home is exactly one mile North of the intersection of M-43 and Center Street.

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Kildea/Poirer Home
6645 W. R Avenue, Schoolcraft

This photo shows the solar electric system that will be installed at Bob and Louise's new home, which power's Bob's electric truck and part of the home's geothermal system. The balance is provided through the state's Green Energy program. Passive solar design, solar thermal system, and energy efficiency measures offer plenty of ideas to prospective home builders.

Directions:
Take US-131 S. south of I-94 to Exit 31, Centre Ave. Turn right onto W Centre Ave. At the first light after turning right, turn left onto 12th St S. After 1 mile turn right onto R Ave W. If you reach 8th St. S, you have gone too far.

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Marcotte Home
4749 S M-43 Hwy, Hastings

This home features a Skystream 3.7 wind generator that provides the home with 25% of its’ power.  The fully integrated wind generator was made especially for the home.  A geothermal system uses the earth’s energy to provide heating and cooling to the home.  The homeowners are currently the process of testing a Power-Save system, which purports to save you 25% on your energy bills.  Come see the exciting features of this energy-conscious home!

Directions:
From Kalamazoo

Take the Sprinkle Rd exit from I-94 (exit number 80) turn north on Sprinkle Road. Turn right onto Gull Rd/MI-43. Continue to follow MI-43. Turn left onto MI-43/MI-89/32nd St N. in downtown Richland.  Continue to follow MI-43 for approx. 17.5 miles. End at home.

From Battle Creek

Take the I-94-BR exit (exit number 92) toward Springfield/Battle Creek. Merge onto I-94 BR east toward Springfield/Battle Creek. Turn left onto MI-37/Helmer Rd N. Continue to follow MI-37 for approximately 14 miles.  Turn left on Pifer Road.  Follow Pifer Road for approximately 5.5 miles.  Pifer Road will curve to the right and turn into Kingsley Road.  Follow Kingsley Road for 2.5 miles until you reach W Cloverdale Road.  Turn left on W. Cloverdale Road and take for 1.5 miles.  Turn Right on M-43.  Home will be approximately 4.5 miles down the road.

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Patrick Home
10350 S. Gurd Rd., Dowling


A must see beautiful renewable energy demo home; includes passive solar design, PV and solar water heating system, masonry stove, ecological landscaping, and more. Well engineered and constructed.

Directions:
Take the Sprinkle Rd exit from I-94 (exit number 80) go north.  Turn right onto Gull Rd/MI-43. Continue to follow MI-43. Stay straight in Richland to go onto MI-89/D Ave E. Continue to follow MI-89. Turn left onto 40th St N. When 40th St N ends, turn right onto E. Baseline Rd. Turn left onto S. Kellogg School Rd. Turn right past Hickory Corners onto W. Gilkey Lake Rd/CR-601. Continue to follow CR-601. Turn right onto Pifer Rd/CR- 412. Turn left onto S Cedar Creek Rd/CR-601. Turn right onto W Drake Rd. Turn right onto Gurd Rd.

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Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
701 W. Cloverdale Rd, Hastings

See a number of different renewable energy and efficiency technologies at this institutional facility.  Highlights include the Education Building and Visitor Center, both of which are earth-bermed and utilize passive solar designs.  Other features include geothermal heating and cooling and a photovoltaic system.

Directions:
From Kalamazoo

Take the Sprinkle Rd exit from I-94 (exit number 80) turn north on Sprinkle Road. Turn right onto Gull Rd/MI-43. Continue to follow MI-43. Turn left onto MI-43/MI-89/32nd St N. in downtown Richland.  Continue to follow MI-43 for 13 miles. Turn right onto W. Cloverdale Rd (portions of this road are unpaved) and go approximately two and a half miles. The entrance will be on your right. Look for the yellow signs with "Pierce Cedar Creek" written on them.

From Battle Creek

Take the I-94-BR exit (exit number 92) toward Springfield/Battle Creek. Merge onto I-94 BR east toward Springfield/Battle Creek. Turn left onto MI-37/Helmer Rd N. Continue to follow MI-37 for approximately 15 miles.  Look for the Pierce Cedar Creek sign and Cloverdale Road.  Pierce Cedar Creek will be on your left in approximately 2 miles.

Click here for Mapquest area map | Click here for map on Pierce Cedar Creek web site

Toy/Crotser-Toy Home
54630 60th Ave, Lawrence

The Toy / Crotser-Toy home features a large 10,000 watt Bergey wind generator. It powers the geothermal system for their all electric 108-year old farmhouse which is under going restoration to be more energy efficient. Recently, they also installed a solar hot water system which is comprised of 40 evacuated tubes. These tubes heat 120 gallons of 50ºF ground water to 90-170ºF depending on the level of available sun. The 120 gallon tank then feeds a standard 40 gallon electric water tank set at 120 ºF. As long as the water from the 120 gallon tank is coming into the 40 gallon tank at 120 ºF or hotter, the electric elements in the 40 gallon tank do not turn on. Per plumbing code, an anti-scalding valve is placed after the 40 gallon tank to prevent water greater than 130 ºF from servicing household needs. The design of the farm house allows for convection cooling, summer sunlight shading and winter sunlight entry.

Directions:
Take I-94 west to the Lawrence exit (#52). At the stop sign on the exit ramp [You will see the Waffle House in front of you] turn left heading north onto 52nd St. (also known as Paw Paw St. or County Road 365). Go north 1 mile. Then turn hard, hard, hard left onto CR 215, also called Corwin Road, [You will see the Acapulco Restaurant]. Eventually CR 215 curves south toward I-94 [do not cross I-94, you have gone too far]. Then turn right onto 60th Ave and proceed 1/10th of a mile. You WILL see the wind generator and tower once you turn onto 60th Ave. The driveway is on your right (see "Toy" sign)..

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Vandenheede Home
639 North 13th Street, Niles

This home uses solar energy to provide hot water as well as space heating. Built in 1896, the home illustrates how it is possible to add modern technology for renewable energy to 109 year old houses as well as newer homes.

Directions:
Go west on I-94 W toward Chicago. Take the US-31 S / Napier Ave exit- Exit 30. Turn left onto US-31 / E Napier Ave. Turn right onto US-31 S. Take the Walton Rd exit- Exit 7- toward Buchanan. Turn left onto Walton Rd. Turn right to stay on Walton Rd. Turn right onto US-31 BR. Turn left onto Wayne St. Turn right onto N 13TH ST.

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Western Michigan University, Parkview Campus
Business, Technology and Research Park
4601 Campus Drive, Kalamazoo

Western Michigan University has recently installed a Skystream 3.7 wind turbine from Southwest Windpower.  The turbine output is 1.8kW nominal, 2kW maximum.  The turbine was installed over 2 ½ days and its’ annual expected kWh production is 5,000 kWh.

Directions:
Take US-131 to Exit 36A (Stadium Drive).  Take Stadium Drive East to S Drake Road.  Make a Right on S Drake Road and take towards the WMU campus.  Cross Parkview Avenue onto the WMU Campus, where S Drake Road becomes Campus Drive.  Take a Right on Engineering Drive W – the turbine is between Engineering Drive and US-131.

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Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association
URL: www.glrea.org
Email: info@glrea.org
Lansing:
(517) 646.6269
Toll Free:
1.800.434.9788

Join GLREA
Go to our membership area and find out how you can join GLREA!

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Current GLREA Board Members

GLREA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and contributions may be tax deductable.