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According to the Department
of Energy, enough sunlight reaches the Earth every
hour to meet the world's energy demand for a whole
year.
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Welcome to Connect To The Sun!
About The Eco Experience at the Minnesota
State Fair
A first of its kind, The Eco Experience
at the 2006 Minnesota State Fair is an indoor green space
with lush rain gardens, an eco home, live entertainment, and
cutting-edge displays on renewable energy, new fuels and vehicles,
and organic farming. Perfect for do-it-yourselfers, techies,
gardeners, and nature-lovers, the space features a children's
area with fun for kids of all ages. The Eco Experience is
presented by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency, helping Minnesotans protect the environment
since 1967. Bring your family, bring a friend — get
in on The Eco Experience!
The Eco Experience is located in the
Progress Center building (J-9
on map) at the corner of Cooper Street and Randall Avenue
on the State Fairgrounds. The 2006 Minnesota State Fair runs
Thursday, August 24, through Labor Day, September 4, 2006.
Park and ride information is available online at www.mnstatefair.org.
Visit www.EcoExperience.org
for more information about The Eco Experience.
About Connect To The Sun
Located in the northwest corner of The Eco Experience at the 2006 Minnesota State Fair, Connect
To The Sun, the solar exhibit sponsored by the Minnesota
Renewable Energy Society (MRES), walks visitors through the
world of solar energy in simple terms with demonstrations
of actual equipment. Guests can learn about using energy from
the sun to power their home and
pick up information about exciting, community-based
energy projects such as the Linden Hills Co-op's "Rays
the Roof" campaign to raise money to install solar electric
panels on the co-op. The MRES Connect To The Sun
exhibit, developed in conjunction with the Science Museum
of Minnesota, highlights ways individuals can learn about
and support solar energy in their lives. Come see the solar
car, designed by students at the University of Minnesota,
and a solar boat.
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Aurora III, the U of
M's solar powered vehicle has a top speed of 78 mph,
runs 55 mph on the power of a hairdryer and can travel
over 120 miles without any sun! |
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Make waves with a solar
powered boat that sailed in the Minnesota Renewable
Energy Society's 14th
Annual Solar Boat Regatta. |
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Find out about a new
incentive that gives homeowners a 30 percent federal
tax credit for solar electricity and solar thermal installations. |
Explore the Exhibit
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Act
to Support Solar Energy
Find your own ways, small or large, to
use solar technology. Once you start, you'll discover
new ways to add solar energy to your life.
Learn more… |
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Explore Solar
Energy Technology
Understanding three basic solar energy
systems helps you begin exploring and experimenting
with solar energy technologies. Here's a glimpse at
what they do and how they work.
Learn more… |
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Engage Youth
in Solar Energy
The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society
(MRES) invites student-teacher teams, families, and
interested individuals to take part in the annual Solar
Boat Regatta. Experience the thrill of competition and
the pride that comes with inventing something useful,
forward-thinking, and fun.
Learn more… |
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Join the Solar
Energy Revolution
As energy prices soar and concerns about
climate change grow, more people are choosing the clean,
abundant power of the sun.
Learn more…
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Prepare Your
Home for Solar Energy
Conserve first to save later. Reducing
your energy use will keep a lid on the cost of your
future solar energy system. A smaller load requires
a smaller system.
Learn more… |
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Living
With Solar: Renewable Technology in Action (PDF)
All powered by the Sun, renewable technologies
can be used alone or in combination to save money and
conserve energy. Inside, find stories of Minnesota property
owners who heat and power with solar.
Learn
more… |
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