We have already come across many green projects that have come as saviors to the environment. Now let me introduce you to a green initiative that not only saves the environment but also helps earn something for the pocket. A man concerted his 28-year-old landscaping and garden business into a company that would install solar panels. Jon Harrington’s company called the Alpine Solar Design was formed in February and provides installation services in and around Summit County.
Harrington has ingeniously brought about changes to his landscaping practices to benefit the planet. The altered practices include using organic fertilizers and building waterfalls using solar panels. He is also looking forward to transform his green houses to solar heat for his custom growing services.
In order to make some more money he is working to put together a stream of winter workshops to educate locals and visitors about green technology. The topics like straw-bale construction, natural plaster, natural paints, overall sustainable business practices and how to build a wind turbine, will be discussed during the winter workshop, which of course will have a cost.
His other green efforts:
Not only has he used his passion for sustainable building practices into obtaining a fruitful business, but also into his Alpine Earth Center. He recently installed a 10 ft. wind turbine inside the center in Silverthorne, which fulfills 85 percent of the power requirements of the building. In addition to the solar panel, the structure will incorporate radiant floor heating system.
He serves the community with his free, hour-long “green” clinics every Tuesday at 9 a.m., where he delivers lectures on topics related to the solar power installation business and green-living practices. This week the topic for the talk was solar power, rebates and solar tax credits, while next week he will discuss his recent experience building a 10-foot, 48-volt wind turbine at a sustainable living fair in Fort Collins over two days.
Harrington is also planning to include the use of low voltage LED lights powered by photovoltaic panels into his business. To encourage green practices among people, he is building his own solar home 10 miles north of Silverthorne, incorporating straw-bale construction and natural materials, like pine-beetle killed timber.
Via: SummitDaily