UPDATE

A Local Organizing Committee has been formed for the 2009 American Solar Energy Society's national conference, SOLAR 09, in Buffalo, May 11 - 16, 2009.  The LOC will be responsible for planning the Public Days as well as the tour for conference attendees.  Volunteers will be needed and an conference orientation
meeting is being planned.  The LOC activities are being coordinated by Laurie Dann, who did such an
excellent job of organizing Solar Splash, the international intercollegiate solar/electric boat competition which was held in Delaware Park for five years in a row - 2001 - 2005. 

Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. In 1901 Buffalo celebrated the transmission of  clean renewable hydro power from Niagara Falls to Buffalo with a spectacular light show by lighting the buildings of the Pan Am with tiny light bulbs. The City of Light welcomed 8 million visitors from around the world who came to see this lighting extravaganza   In 2001 the Connecting Terminal grain elevator in the Buffalo harbor was illuminated by clean renewable solar power to celebrate the centennial of the 1901 Pan American Exposition.  Huge undistorted  images of the Pan American Exposition were projected onto the grain elevator on summer weekend evenings   Today the possibility of illuminating all the grain elevators along the industrial heritage trail again with renewable energy is being explored.   Buffalo can have as sensational a sound and light show as the one taking place this summer in Quebec City where they will celebrate the city's 400th birthday with 2000-foot-long grain silos serving as projection screens for images of the city. (described in the New York Times Travel Section on June 1, 2008.) .    The proposed renewable energy-powered Buffalo Industrial Heritage Sound and Light Show would link two very important industrial eras of our city.   Imagine learning about the impact the Erie Canal had on America and Buffalo at the new Erie Canal Harbor exhibit, and learning about the role our grain elevators played in Buffalo's industrial past and their role in the future economy of our region.  A Sound and Light Show would enhance the popular Industrial Heritage Boat Tour on the Miss Buffalo and would be an exciting waterfront attraction.  It would tie in with the proposed Buffalo/Niagara Renewable Energy Demonstration Park Featuring the Solar Powered Herschell Carrousel. Demonstrating the use of cutting-edge clean-air technologies to power the Sound and Light Show will enhance our image as a forward-looking region by focusing on innovations in solar technology - catalysts for change.  We need to keep our region globally competitive in the transition from fossil fuels to new clean air technologies by attracting renewable energy technologies businesses and jobs.    There is some evidence that Buffalo may be on the verge of a new life and can once again rise to its greatness of the past with development related to renewable energy:  increased ridership on hydro-powered light rail, the decision to locate a new silicon plant in Niagara Falls, the installation of geothermal heating and cooling at the Darwin Martin House, the installation of SteelWinds in Lackawanna, solar installations on homes, and the increasing number of energy efficient new buildings, and the interest in developing "green jobs"  The rising cost of energy is impacting every aspect of our lives -  travel, commerce, housing, driving, etc.   These developments contributed to the decision of the American Solar Energy Society to bring its national conference to Buffalo in 2009.  The National Solar Conference is the oldest and most inclusive solar and renewable energy conference held in the United States.  Buffalo will be in the limelight  while  the American Solar Energy Society explores the role of renewable energy in addressing climate change, growing our economy, and reducing our carbon footprint. The conference will have a significant impact on our economy and the continuing development of renewable energy technologies in our region.

We have officially become an affiliate of the Buffalo Museum of Science! 

In discussions with  Museum leaders we concluded that we share some of the same goals and objectives, and we are excited about the opportunity to help add more contemporary science and technology topics to their programs, and about the many opportunities for us to reach the public through Museum exhibits, demonstrations, publications, etc., especially those related to their rooftop solar array!

The WNYSEA has organized as a Trust and the IRS has determined that we  are tax exempt under section 501 (c) (3) and that contributions to the Trust are now tax deductible!  

The Western New York Sustainable Energy Asociation's kickoff event for the Tour of Green Homes and Buildings at The Church on Saturday, October 7, 206, was a success!
 
Misha Hoffman accepted the WNYSEA award for Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records for their installation of an energy-efficient geothermal heating and cooling system, and she spoke about their commitment to making the Church an environmentally-friendly building. The award saluted Righteous Babe Records for its leadership in utilizing renewable energy technology in its beautiful renovation of The Church, thereby setting an example for other building owners  in the region.
 
We were so pleased that Asemblyman Robin Schiminger and County Legislator Cynthia Locklear joined us for the presentation.
 
The eye-opening film, "The Maine Solar House," provided by owner Bill Lord, was shown. The film answered the question most commonly asked around Buffalo: "can solar work in cold climates?"  (Please see the website at www.solarhouse.com)  Following the film, Architect Denis Andrejko spoke about design strategies to maximize energy conservation, and described how older homes can be redesigned to take advantage of solar exposures. He also described his own award-wining passive solar home in Amherst.
 
Kevin Neumeier, VP of Ecology and Environmenta, whose building in Lancaster is not only beautiful but energy efficient, gave an inspirational presentation about their environmentally-friendly building features and programs.
 
Arnold Clubine, M/E Enginering, who designed the geo thermal system, made a helpful and understandable presentation about the geothermal system.
 
Hallwalls, located at The Church, was the perfect setting for our program and we thank Ed Caldoni, its Executive Director, for his help and cooperation. We look forward to holding our December Speakers Series at Hallwalls. 
 
We thank Cassie Wilson, volunteer extraordinair, who has stepped in to provide invaluable
leadership in many WNYSEA administrative, development and membership projects, and whose creative ideas have helped move the organization forward. She played a major role in moving WNYSEA into the recently-announced affiliate relationship with the Buffalo Museum of Science.
 
We also want to thank Chuck Lachiusa, our wonderful webmaster, for taking such good care of our website!  We are so fortunate to have a community leader with such a commitment to the quality of life in our region help us get our message out through the attractive website he has created for us. 
 
Thanks to the hard work of citizen Bill Henry, a solar advocate, the state real property tax exemption for the installation of renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, etc.)_ was reinstated this year. According to Bill, the legislation was passed unanimously and signed by the Governor in July 2006.
 
SOLAR SPLASH, which was hosted by Buffalo for five years in a row (2001 - 2005) moved to Fayettevile, Arkansas, University of Arkansas,  in June 2006 where it will be again in 2007. Many who participated in Solar Splash in Buffalo including organizer Laurie Dann, helped organize the event in Arkansas!

Planning is underway for meetings with the Mayor and city leaders to discuss our need for an acre of waterfront land with full sun exposure and accessibility to light rail and bicycle paths. 

Please call 881 1639 if you would like to volunteer for this exciting project.

!In the meantime, partners in this exciting project, WNYSEA, UB School of Architecture, and Herschell Carrousel Museum, are progressing on plans for the carrousel on the waterfront to showcase the use of solar energy as well as offer recreation to families and tourists.  The carrousel, a 1904 Herschell Museum factory mechanism which is one of the largest ever made with four rows of animal figures, has been donated by the Herschell Museum in NOrth Tonawanda.  The figures can be changed to historical characters which reflect the heritage of our region. 

Architect Steven Strong, who put solar panels on the White House complex, will donate his services to make the carrousel run on solar power.  Whenever there is no sunshine, it will run for a few days on stored energy, and it will be glass-enclosed in the event of inclement weather.  Small onsite windmills will provide the power for l.e.d. lighting.  If more power is needed, a connection to the grid will bring it from off-site windmills.
 
The carrousel and learning park will illustrate how energy from the sun and wind can provide electricity with clean-air technology.  Solar features in the playground might include a solar-powered robot, lighting, fountains, and perhaps a solar-powered ice cream cart.  The goal is for visitors to have fun and learn at the same time, while adding to waterfront attractions and promoting our region.  All that is needed is the acre of land!