The Voices

I am a former aerospace design engineer. Three years ago I decided to reeducate and reinvent myself. I chose the solar energy industry, an industry for which I always had a passion, as my new profession. My goal is to make a contribution to our country and to our environment. read more »

I started the U. Maine Solar Vehicle Team so that students and I could construct a practical vehicle that would run solely on renewable, non-polluting resources. The Solar Black Bear, a solar powered pickup truck, is the result. I see this vehicle as a first step toward reducing human impacts (through oil extraction and use) on the natural/biological systems of this planet. read more »

There are many tasks that we do that do not require burning petroleum. Often when I need a small item at the local hardware store, I ride my bicycle to the store rather than driving in my car and using gasoline. I get some exercise, save a some money on gasoline, and avoid polluting the air with vehicle exhaust gases.
Our crude oil reserves are a finite resource that we will need in the future even if the oil is not used for motor fuel. Oil is needed to make products that we depend on, such as plastics and other organic chemicals. read more »

I've had the solar water heater on my roof for years, but I've recently installed photovoltaic panels to offset my electrical usage. Excess electricity is sent back into the grid for my neighbors to use (until they install the panels on their own roofs...) How many homes and buildings could be outfitted for the price of just one new power plant (hydro, nuke, etc.)? And my greenhouse provides space heat for the whole house in the most low-tech way imaginable. read more »