Don’t the let winter rain fool you. There are solar homes in Coos County and you can have a chance to tour them.

The second-annual Coos County Green and Solar Tour will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Homes on the tour feature passive solar, solar electric, solar water heating, alternative building methods, rain catchment and high efficiency/centralized wood heat. 

Homes are grid-tied, with one example of a system not connected to the electric power grid. Homeowners and experts will be present to answer questions.  The tour is self-guided and free.  For those interested, “Solar 101” (a presentation designed to provide an introduction to solar power) and a demonstration of a solar, bio-diesel RV will be offered at 9 a.m.

The tour will kick off with a no-host coffee and breakfast breads at 10 a.m. at at the Broadway Theater, 226 S. Broadway, Coos Bay, across from the Egyptian Theatre. Participants are invited to pick up a map and description of featured homes and businesses. Carpooling is encouraged.

Following the completion of the tour schedule, a solar car demonstration will be offered, in addition to no-host cocktails and appetizers. 

The Coos County Green and Solar Tour is organized by Sol Coast Companies and is part of the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour and Solar Oregon’s Oregon Green & Solar Tours, sponsored by the Oregon Department of Energy, as well as ShoreBank Pacific, Windermere Realtors and Solar World.

To become a featured home on the tour, to volunteer or for additional information, call Heather Lester at 260-1383 or e-mail heather@solcoast.com. Information on the tour also is available online at http://www.solcoast.com.