The National Solar Tour is the largest grass roots renewable energy event in the nation, featuring over 800 open houses sponsored by Solar United Neighbors, the American Solar Energy Society, and hosted by local solar co-ops in 45 states around the country. It is coming to Monroe County on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The Tour is a series of open houses which are open to the public free of charge. They are designed to provide an opportunity for residents to visit local solar systems and see how they work.

This year, two consecutive open houses will be held in Union. On Saturday morning, Oct. 5, the Public Library open house will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. It will be followed in the afternoon by the Womack Open House which will take place from 2 to 4:30 p.m. (located around 4 miles south of the town of Union.)

The address of the Public Library Open House is: 303 South Main Street, Union, WV, 24983. Driving south from Union on US 219 South, you will see the Library on the right. Driving north toward Union on 219 North, the Library is located on the left.

The address of the Womack Open House is: 137 Fullen Road, Union. 1) From the Library or the town of Union, take US 219 South for 3.8 miles and turn left onto Fullen Road.  2) Take the first left off Fullen Road onto “Bigfoot Mountain Road”, which is a private drive that runs into the woods to the left of “Sterling Ranch” (the house on the hill).3) Once on Bigfoot Mountain Road, stay to the right for a half mile, then bear right where the road splits.  Stay on this road past the speed limit sign and through the gate and it will dead end at the Womack Open House. From Peterstown or Greenville, driving North on 219, turn right onto Fullen Road and follow directions from step 2) onwards.

The road leading to the Womack Open House is unpaved, rough and there is a stream to cross. An SUV, Subaru or truck would be ideal, but it can be negotiated carefully with a car. The road is wide enough for one vehicle only with no pull over spots. Therefore, ENTER time is from 2-3 p.m. and EXIT time from 3:30 to 4:30. The Open House is the dark wood ranch house visible from the road with solar panels on the roof.

The organizers look forward to welcoming you at these two venues with information, lively discussions and refreshments. There will be a solar slide show at the Library Open House.