Whole Foods Hosts Solar Power Workshop

Solar power can mean saving on electric bills, and it can also mean fun in the sun.

Youngsters of all ages found that out at an information alternative-energy workshop at Whole Foods Market in Lake Grove, Saturday. In addition to learning about alternative energy, those in attendance also built miniature solar-powered cars which were raced with the help of the day's bright blazing sun outside of the store. 

"I think it's great," said Larry Pell, a Ronkonkoma resident who attended the event with his son. "I think if they did this more often the turnout would get better and better and you'd have smarter more educated people on the subject."

Taking care of informing the 50-plus parents and children who attended the event was a representative from reLI, a not-for-profit organization that promotes clean energy on Long Island, and two representatives from Greenlogic, one of Long Island's largest and most respected alternative energy companies. 

"We want kids to have this in their minds," said Brett Nielsen, an Energy Consultant for Greenlogic. "When kids are dreaming about owning a home we want them to be dreaming about a home with solar panels on it." 

The event was the first of its kind for Greenlogic. After opening with a brief presentation, those in attendance cracked open the robotikits that where handed out free of charge and got to work assembling their cars. Within minutes a one-panel solar automobile the size of a matchbox car was ready to go. Afterwards, the children charged them up by the sun outside and let them roll on a two-lane raceway set up on a table. 

"This is definitely something the kids can learn from," said Christine Lang, a Lake Ronkonkoma resident who attend with her two daughters. "This is definitely good for them to know." 

At the conclusion of the event the parents in attendance got a chance to learn something as well. With free drinks and free refreshments in hand courteous of the organic grocery story, those that remained were presented a brief slide show about PV solar systems and how they work. 

For more information about local clean energy activity check out the latest installment of the Sachem Patch Sustainable Energy Summer Series.