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 Michigan Sustainable Homes & Businesses Tour
(formerly Michigan Solar Tour)
Part of the ASES National Solar Tour
October 4, 2008
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
Central Michigan Area
Greater Marquette Area
Greater Traverse City Area
Greater Grand Rapids Area
Northwest Michigan Area
Greater Ann Arbor Solar Tour
Ann Arbor Farmers Market
315 Detroit St Ann Arbor, MI 48104
The sunshine that grows our food is now powering the Ann Arbor Farmers Market! Paid for by a grant from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, this 10-kilowatt solar electric system uses Uni-Solar panels to produce about a third of the Market's annual electricity use. The Farmers Market Solar Project is also part of the Ann Arbor Solar America City Partnership, which is working to educate residents about solar energy and integrate solar into our community. Solar America City partners include the Ann Arbor Energy Office, DDA, Clean Energy Coalition, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, and Uni-Solar.
An educational kiosk is being developed to accompany the solar project and will be installed later this fall along Fifth Avenue. The kiosk is being designed by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and is funded through a grant from the Michigan Energy Office.
Click Here For Google area map
A3C – Collaborative Architecture ~ www.a3c.com
210 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor
We are a mid-sized architecture and interior design firm located in downtown (East Huron Street across from the Hands-On Museum) and we have registered for and are progressing toward a USGBC, LEED-CI Gold Certification. As a part of this renovation we will accomplish the following:
- Reducing NO2 & CO2 Levels below 50% with a Geothermal HVAC system and future incorporation of Photovoltaic Panels & Wind Turbines.
- Reducing Storm Water Run Off by 50% through rain water capture system and a demonstration Green Roof modeling Intensive & Extensive designs.
- Improving Indoor Environmental Quality by providing for natural ventilation and selection of materials that eliminate or have minimal out-gassing.
- Increasing Daylight and Lighting Controls with energy efficient lighting, integrated control systems and daylighting through roof monitors
- Utilizing Sustainable Materials & Resources by selecting regionally sourced, renewable and recycled products throughout the building.
We are designing our project to be an educational resource for our clients and the community by incorporating multiple approaches to sustainable materials, finishes and systems throughout. The addition of a conferencing space on the roof will allow easy access and increased visibility of our Green Roof. This space, as well as the rest of the building, will be available to city and non-profit groups for meetings and tours. Our project is currently under construction and is scheduled to be complete in October. Don’t miss this opportunity to view an in-progress / under-construction green building project!
Directions:
From North: Take US-23 South towards Ann Arbor. Take Exit 43 (M-14 west / Downtown Ann Arbor). Take M-14 west to Exit 3 (N Main Street). Follow N Main Street South to E Huron Street. Make a Left on E Huron Street and end at 210 E Huron Street.
From South: Take US-23 North towards Ann Arbor. Take the Exit for I-94 W. Follow I-94 W about 3 miles to exit 177 (State Street). Make a Right on State Street and take State Street North to East Huron Street. Make a Left on E Huron Street and end at 210 E Huron Street.
Click here for Google area map.
Barclay Dream Farm
4445 Valentine Road, Whitmore Lake
The Barclay Dream Farm in Webster Township boasts the largest tracking photovoltaic array in Michigan (we’ve yet to find anyone who can contradict this claim). The 12 foot by 17 foot, 3.2 kilowatt tracking array consists of 16 Sanyo HIT-200, 200-watt modules, mounted on a Wattsun AZ-225 dual-axis tracker, which follows the sun on sunny days and automatically finds an optimum position on cloudy days (to avoid unintended tracking of bright spots in the clouds). At 17% efficiency, the Sanyo PV modules are one of the most efficient on the market, and by combining an amorphous silicon layer with the crystal silicon, do well on both sunny and cloudy days. The PV array is grid-intertied with a Fronius IG-4000 inverter, and on a yearly basis has produced over 110% of our home's yearly electrical energy consumption. During the period from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007 our array generated a total of 5433 kWh, while our house used only 4923 kWh, resulting in a yearly net excess generation of 510 kWh, which we sent to the electrical grid to be used by our neighbors.
Our solar domestic hot water system includes three Heliodyne Gobi 3366 collectors, 27 square feet each, mounted on an outdoor shed. Antifreeze is pumped underground in insulated copper pipe to the house where it heats a 100 gallon solar servant water tank. We typically do not use any fossil fuel for water heating from March through October. For the rest of the year, our system pre-heats the water so our propane hot-water heater has to do much less work. Through a combination of our SDHW system and stringent efficiency measures, we have reduced our propane use by two thirds!
More pictures and information about our systems of our may be found at our website, http://www.dreamfarm.org/.
Directions:
From Ann Arbor: Take US-23 N toward Brighton / Flint. Take N Territorial Road exit (Exit 49). Turn Left on E North Territorial Road. E North Territorial Road becomes N Territorial Road W. Take for about 2 miles. Turn Right on Jennings Road (portions unpaved). Take for one mile. Turn Left on Valentine Road. The home is about one mile down the road.
Click here for Mapquest area map
Dotson’s Mobile Solar Generation Units
8895 Kearny Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI
Solar Worksllc, home of Damon and Yvonne Dotson would like to invite you to our energy efficiency home in Whitmore Lake, MI on October 4th, 2008. We have been implementing new and efficient solar, wind and hot water products that have lowered our energy bills. Come and see our systems in operation and enjoy the backyard habitat.
Directions:
From Ann Arbor: 23 North to Barker Rd, go west approx 1 mile, pavement turns to dirt. Turn left on Kearney, go approx 3/4 miles, go right into driveway and make quick left. Addresss is 8895 Kearney Rd, Whitmore Lake
From Novi or North of Brighton: 96 West to 23 South. Take Exit 53 turn left on 8 mile go through down town Whitmore Lake. Go right on Barker Road. Go approx 2 miles until pavement turns to dirt. Turn left on Kearney, go approx 3/4 miles go right into driveway and make quick left. Addresss is 8895 Kearney Rd, Whitmore Lake.
Click Here for a Google area map.
Click Here for a Google area map.
En-house Resource Center, Recycle Ann Arbor
2420 South Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor
The Environmental House Energy & Green Building Resource Center (EnHouse) is a comprehensive resource and touring facility dedicated to furthering the causes of green building, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The EnHouse staff and resources will help you to discover programs, techniques, projects and service providers that will help you to ensure that your next project is safe for its inhabitants, stands up to the test of time, and treads lighter on the natural environment.
The Environmental House will be offering tours of the photovoltaic array and control equipment from 10 am to 4pm.
Directions:
From Ann Arbor: From the intersection of Main St. and Huron St go South on S Main St toward W Washington St. Turn left onto E Stadium Blvd. Turn right onto S Industrial Hwy.
From Ypsilanti: Take I-94 W to the State St exit- Exit 177. Turn right onto S State St. Turn right onto E Eisenhower Pkwy. Turn left onto S Industrial Hwy.
Click here for Mapquest area map
Lang Farm
10261 Steffas Rd Maybee MI 48159
The wind project on James Lang’s farm in Maybee, Michigan is a private owner operation, off the grid. Currently the electrical system allows for the disconnect from the grid for solo/self generation. The wind generator sets atop a 40 foot tower and is capable of producing 5kW. In demonstrations ran last fall, 2007, the farm was able to reduce it dependence of commercial electrical use by 35%. This project was built at a cost of under $8,000, and shows a potential of payoff in less than 7 years.
Driving directions
From Ann Arbor
US 23 to Milan, south on main street to Milan-Oakville road (county line) east to three way stop sign, continue straight, do not bear left. Road turns into South Stony Creek, continue on about 6 miles, when you cross the railroad track, turn south on Steffas Road. Windmill is ¼ mile on right.
From the North
I 275 to Telegraph exit, turn north on Telegraph about ¼ mile and turn west on Lobo Road. Lobo ends at Exeter Road, turn south until stop sign, South Stony Creek Road. West on South Stony Creek Road till Steffas, about 2 miles, turn left (south) on Steffas, about ¼ mile. If you come to railroad tracks you have gone too far.
Click Here for a Mapquest map
Lauzzana Home
2725 West Ellsworth, Ann Arbor
This house constructed in 1954 has a long east-west axis, allowing for ample southern glazing and solar thermal gain. To the north the roof pitches down to minimize exposure to the cold winds. The west is protected from the winds by the garage and has few windows to prevent overheating. The east opens to the sun for morning heat gain and light for the bedrooms. A black panel solar thermal array provides 30% of the heat and protects the house in the summer, almost eliminating the need for air-conditioning. The panels trap the sun's heat, while a thermostatic electric fan pulls air through the array and into the house.
A solar porch addition on the second floor was constructed with reclaimed windows from Recycle Ann Arbor and seconds from Fingerle Lumber. Serving the double function of trapping the sun's heat in the winter and providing a buffer in the summer, porch is controlled by a thermostatic electric fan.
Backyard Habitat certified with the National Wildlife Federation. Organic garden onsite.
Home also features high efficiency appliances and lights and a straw bale shed with a green roof.
Directions:
From Ann Arbor: From the intersection of Main St and Huron start out going South on S. Main St. S. Main St becomes Ann Arbor Saline After passing Maple turn left onto Ellsworth. The home is the first drive on the left after the UU Church parking lot. Look for the pile of stones at the road.
From Ypsilanti: From the intersection of Michigan and Hamilton, head West on Michigan. After about 2 miles, turn right onto Ellsworth. Follow Ellsworth. It will turn to a dirt road past Maple. House is the last drive before the church parking lot. Look for the pile of stones at the road.
Click here for Mapquest area map
Mechanical Energy Systems 8130 N. Canton Center Rd., Canton
Visit our Demonstration Center and see a variety of working solar applications that can be retrofitted to existing homes and businesses. See how we light our office with Solatubes, heat our water with a Solar Boiler and power our computers and phones with Wind and Photovoltaic systems. Check out our Solar Wall and Solar Hot Air Panels used to assist the heating of our
building during the winter months. Also, learn about the advantages of Solar Attic Fans and Solar Pool Heating systems. We offer high efficiency heating and cooling equipment to promote energy conservation, as well. Let us share our 22 years of Solar expertise as you walk through our building and discover how you can become an energy advocate, and control your future energy needs!
Directions: 8130 Canton Center Rd., Canton, MI 48187 http://www.by-solar.com/directions.html From Ann Arbor: Take US-23-BR N / M-14 E. Merge onto MI-14 E. Merge onto Ford Rd / MI-153 E via Exit 10. Turn left (north bound) onto Canton Center Rd. At first light past Warren Rd. turn left to stay on Canton Center Rd, we are located a 1/4 mile down on the east side.
From Ypsilanti: From the intersection of Cross and Prospect, head north on Prospect Turn right onto Ford Rd / MI-153. Turn left (north bound) onto Canton Center Rd. At first light past Warren Rd. turn left to stay on Canton Center Rd, we are located a 1/4 mile down on the east side.
From Detroit: Take US-96 W to I-275 N. Exit Ann Arbor Rd, turn right (west bound) on to Ann Arbor Rd., follow to Sheldon Rd., turn left (south bound) to Joy Rd. turn right (west bound), follow to Canton Center Rd., turn left (south bound). We are located a 1/2 mile down on the east side of Canton Center Rd.
Click here for Mapquest area map
Menta Home
2394 Peters Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48103
It was during a visit to Western Michigan Universities Engineering College where Mr. Menta saw a wind turbine in operation there and it inspired him to give one a try at his home. The home now hosts a Skystream 3.7, which can provide "from 40 to 100 percent of a household's or small businesses' total energy needs." The 1,100 pound wind turbine is set on a concrete slab and was installed to take advantage of the prevailing southwest winds on the property.
Click Here for Google area map
Michcon Nature House at the Leslie Science and Nature Center 1831 Traver Blvd., Ann Arbor
A fully integrated super-insulated 1700-square foot solar building utilizing a range of passive and active solar technologies including solar photovoltaic, hot water and hot air systems, waste-heat recovery systems, water conservation systems (including composting toilets, and gray-water processing systems). Natural and "green" building materials used.
Directions: From downtown Ann Arbor: From the intersection of Main St. and Huron St., head East on Huron. Turn left onto N Division St. Turn slight right onto Beakes St. Beakes St. becomes Broadway St. Broadway St. becomes Plymouth Rd. Turn left onto Barton Rd. Turn right onto Traver Rd.
From Ypsilanti: Take MI 17 West to US 23 N. Take US 23 N to the Plymouth Rd. exit, Exit 41. Turn left onto Plymouth Rd. Turn right onto Barton Dr. Turn right onto Traver Rd.
Click here for Mapquest area map
Michcon Nature House at the Leslie Science and Nature Center
1831 Traver Blvd., Ann Arbor
A fully integrated super-insulated 1700-square foot solar building utilizing a range of passive and active solar technologies including solar photovoltaic, hot water and hot air systems, waste-heat recovery systems, water conservation systems (including composting toilets, and gray-water processing systems). Natural and "green" building materials used.
Directions:
From downtown Ann Arbor: From the intersection of Main St. and Huron St., head East on Huron. Turn left onto N Division St. Turn slight right onto Beakes St. Beakes St. becomes Broadway St. Broadway St. becomes Plymouth Rd. Turn left onto Barton Rd. Turn right onto Traver Rd.
From Ypsilanti: Take MI 17 West to US 23 N. Take US 23 N to the Plymouth Rd. exit, Exit 41. Turn left onto Plymouth Rd. Turn right onto Barton Dr. Turn right onto Traver Rd.
Click here for Mapquest area map
Shaw Home
10710 Aqua Ln
South Lion MI 48178
My wife, JoAnne, designed the house and I acted as the GC. we started construction in September 2006 and moved in on Dec 10 , 2007. The basement and first floor exterior walls are Nudura ICF. The second floor is 2 x 6 covered with 1" of XPS insulation. The windows are Jeld-Wen low-e. There are only three windows on the NE side of the house. However, because the view is to the NW there are a lot of windows on the NW side. The house is insulated with a combination of cellulose and foam and every effort has been made to make the house as airtight as possible. I have not had it tested yet as there are still some things I want to accomplish regarding air-tightness. To provide for proper ventilation the home as an HRV. Finally the basement floor has 2" of XPS foam under the slab. To provide light into some interior areas 4 Sun Tunnels have been installed.
The home is heated with a 5 ton Geothermal unit that also provides hot water when excess heat is available. Hot water is supplied by a 50 gal electric tank with a second 50 gal tank for the geothermal system and is supplemented by two flat plate collectors feeding a separate 80 gallon storage tank. Because we have two separate sources of hot water supplementation a differential controller selects the hottest source to feed the main water heater. Back up heat for power outages is provided by a first floor gas fireplace and a wood stove in the basement. At this time I am projecting our yearly cooling, heating, and hot water cost to be around $800. The total conditioned area is 5300 sq feet.
The garage is also ICF construction and has R15 insulated doors. Last winter the coldest temperature we saw in the garage was 44 degrees. This is probably due to the fact that the ground under the garage slab stays relatively warm and helps keep the garage warmer.
Because of the constraints of the lot the north-south axis points 40 degrees W of south, not exactly a solar ideal, and that the house is surrounded by trees no attempt has been made to incorporate PV into the planning.
Directions: From Pontiac Trail turn West onto 9mile rd. Turn Right (North) onto Aqua.
From M-23 Get off at the South Lyon exit Turn East onto 9 mile rd. Turn Left (North) onto Aqua
Click Here for a Google map.
Wolter Home
10576 Fleming Road, Dexter
A naturally bright, open, owner designed and built, home featuring both passive and active solar heating. Located west of Dexter, this home utilizes concrete reinforced foam exterior walls for insulation, hot water radiant floor heating, active ventilation, 240 square feet of solar hot water panels, and many other energy efficient features.
Directions:
From Ann Arbor: Take I-94 west to Baker Road, Exit 167. Turn right onto Baker Road and continue until it ends in a T. Turn left and go straight through the village of Dexter. Continue over the creek and under the old stone railroad viaduct. Stay on left fork-Island Lake Road-2.6 miles. Turn right onto Dexter-Townhall-0.6 miles. Turn right onto Fleming (dirt road). From Lansing: Take I-96 east to M-52. Turn right (south) onto M-52. Turn left onto North Territorial Road. Turn right onto Dexter-Townhall Road-2.3 miles. Turn left onto Fleming (dirt road).
From Ypsilanti: Take I-94 W to the Baker Rd. exit- Exit 167- toward Dexter. Turn right onto Baker Rd. Turn left onto Shield Rd. Turn right onto N Parker Rd. Turn slight right onto Dexter-Chelsea Rd. Turn left onto Dexter Pinckney Rd. Dexter Pinckney Rd becomes Island Lake Rd. Turn right onto Dexter-Townhall Rd. Turn right onto Fleming (dirt road).
Click here for Mapquest area map
Ypsilanti Food Co-op
312 N River Street, Ypsilanti
Phone #734-483-1520 / Web: www.ypsifoodcoop.org
The Ypsilanti Food Co-Op building features a 950 watt photovoltaic installation, equipped with watt meters to monitor the energy consumption and generation. They will have tour guides available from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm to explain how the system works.
Directions:
From Ann Arbor: Take I-94 E toward Detroit. Take the Huron Street / US-12-BR (Exit 183) toward Downtown Ypsilanti. Turn left onto US-12 BR E / S Huron Street. Take for one mile. Turn right onto W Michigan Avenue / US-12 BR / MI-17. Turn left onto N River Street. The co-op is about 0.2 miles down the road.
Click here for Mapquest area map
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!
Contact GLREA
Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions or comments.
Current GLREA Board Members
Current GLREA Board Members
GLREA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and contributions may be tax deductable. |
