The Solar Fiesta is an annual celebration of solar that has grown from a small cluster of New Mexico enthusiasts, who gathered in 1973 to learn about new technology, to a community event with more than 2,500 expected.

The Fiesta, which will be at the Albuquerque Academy Aug. 27 and 28, will feature more than 40 speakers, leading discussions about everything from how to convert a gas car into an electric vehicle to how to use batteries to store and use solar power at night.

“A lot of people read about solar and wind and sustainability,” said Rose Marie Kern, the Solar Fiesta manager. “But this started because there was no place for them to go and learn and see the technology and touch it and talk to people who really know.”

The New Mexico Solar Energy Society hosts the event, which has grown steadily over the years.

“We’ll have 42 speakers,” Kern said. “These are people who aren’t selling anything. They’re just coming to share what they know.”

This venue provides people who are interested in installing solar at home an opportunity to dig deeply into their research and directly question the experts.

The theme of this year’s event is “Building a sustainable lifestyle.” And for the first time, the event will branch out away from solar discussions to include topics like sustainable architecture and designing new homes to optimize passive heating and cooling options, Kern said. There will also be talks about how to retrofit older homes with more efficient windows, insulation and heating and cooling systems.

“In the past, solar electricity has been the big sexy thing,” Kern said. “This year, we’ll have more.”

Of course, solar will still feature at the center of the Solar Fiesta. There will be solar demonstrations for adults, and two different companies are bringing solar cookers that will be used to make food for Fiesta-goers. There will even be a solar cooker contest, Kern said.

Foe the kids, there will be interactive displays and a kid’s solar play area including solar-powered remote control cars.

“The value of this event is tremendous,” Kern said. “If you want to educate the general public about solar, you have to give them an opportunity to really see the technology at work.”