TREI to promote solar at Denver fair

TREI promotes solarThe Renewable Energy Initiative will be promoting solar power and electric vehicles at the Denver County Fair this weekend. “It’s going to be a great spot to spread the word about solar,” said TREI executive director Ken Beitel.

He said the fair organizers expect 25,000 visitors this year.

TREI, an organization that promotes solar and renewable energy investment both in real-world applications and retirement investment portfolios, will have a station in the Green Pavilion at the fair.

Volunteers will have a Chevy Volt on hand for test drives. “It’s a great, stylish car,” Beitel said. “We have Volt owners who have driven 4,000 miles on four gallons of gas.”

The fair is another opportunity for TREI to continue its Drive SunShine campaign aimed at getting people to buy electric vehicles and install solar arrays to power them. “Our opening question is going to be: ‘Would it be OK if we cut your energy bill in half with solar?’” Beitel said.

TREI is partnering with SolarCity to offer fairgoers leased rooftop solar systems with little to no upfront cost to the homeowner and the chance to lock electric rates in at a lower price for 20 years.

Beitel said TREI will be dedicating its presence at the fair to solar education and letting people know how it works and what the different options are. He said national and Colorado incentives that exist this summer won’t last forever and they make solar a particularly good deal right now.

“SolarCity makes the process really easy for the homeowner,” Beitel said. “They take a couple hours and then SolarCity does the rest. It’s really easy and efficient.”

This is TREI’s first year at the fair and Beitel said he has high hopes for a lot of good energy and interest. “The only thing that might be more fun are the pony races,” he said. “And renewable energy is a better investment.”