BOZEMAN- Right across from the weekly Farmer’s Market there was a new type of fair in town, the Montana Clean Energy Fair.
This was the eighth year the Montana Renewable Energy Association (MREA) has hosted the Clean Energy Fair, but it was the first time it has ever made a stop in Bozeman.
"We are so excited coming to Bozeman," said MREA Executive Director Andrew Valainis. "Bozeman has a really strong solar market and I think there is a lot of interest in renewable energy already and it’s always exciting to bring the fair here and get to talk to with people who are already a little versed in it but kinda just wanna take the next steps. And at the same time, there are a lot of people who are just learning about it for the first time so that’s what I think makes it really fun in a market like this."
Valainis said the goal of the fair is to allow people to ask questions about different types of renewable energy and learn what steps they can make that are both cost-effective and sustainable.
"The best thing we can come away with is people having a better understanding of how the technology works but how they can get involved. Whether it be installing a rooftop solar system by talking to an installer, or going to a workshop and learning about how to get involved in citizen advocacy. We really just want anybody who has a question about anything renewable energy to get it answered here," he said.
The fair had a number of workshops focused on topics like solar electricity, solar heating, batteries and energy storage, renewable energy policy, conservation and efficiency, off-grid living and how to choose a solar contractor.
A number of booths from all over Bozeman and Montana were set up for people to ask questions about how their local community is using renewable energy. Bozeman Clean Energy Project was one of the booths set up at the fair. Bozeman’s Sustainability Manager, Natalie Meyer, said the city is really starting to prioritize clean energy by implemented use of solar panels at the water treatment plant and by offering incentives to business for clean energy use.
"It has been a city priority since about 2008, where we are committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and committed to lean government and running our programs as efficiently as possible," said Meyer.
People who attended the fair got to tour an all-electric car show and buy raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes, with the grand prize being a $700 electric bike.
The fair was free and open to the public, sponsored by the Turner Foundation, the Missoula Federal Credit Union, and the J.C. Kennedy Foundation.
