SOLAR&EV EXPO
Clean, Renewable Energy & Transport
Sept. 30, 2023, 12-4pm, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the Ninth Annual Solar&EV Expo on Sept. 30th, 2023!
We had over 25 electric vehicles present and several dozen e-bikes. Over 100 people attended, with more than 50 test drives and rides completed. We witnessed many excellent conversations as folks learned about going solar, heat pumps, recycling, ride-sharing, advocacy, and more. We heard from Scott Vlaun about CEBE's new ChargePoint network and celebrated the collaboration that made these installations possible. Travis Ritchie debunked common myths about electric vehicles in EV 101. Don McLean covered the basics during Solar 101. Josh Caldwell of the Natural Resources Council of Maine explained how to advocate for clean car and clean truck standards in Maine. Luke van Denend introduced us to GoMaine's robust and free ride-sharing platform. Jean Sideris of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine shared an update on E-Bike policy and rebates, and our co-op solar team outlined their progress since winning the Energizing Rural Communities Prize. Romero's offered delicious burritos, with their food truck powered by an all-electric Ford Lightning.
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Every year CEBE hosts the Solar&EV Expo as part of National Drive Electric Week. This is a great opportunity to drive electric cars, ride electric bikes, get involved in CEBE's Community Solar project, meet solar installers and more! Don't miss this one. Electric mobility powered by renewable energy is the future. It's here now in Maine's Western Foothills. Don't miss your chance to learn all about it!
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Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Please reach out if you're interested in sponsorship!
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Chevy Bolt ride along
Come ride along with us, and get virtually behind the steering wheel of a Chevy Bolt.
EV 101 with Travis Ritchie
Travis Ritchie, EV expert and long-time EV driver, guides you through the basics of electric vehicles. Hear up-to-date information about costs and savings, maintenance, advantages and disadvantages, how and why they work, and the environmental impact of making the switch. Hear what it's like to drive an EV in our region.
E-Bike ride along
Experience riding an electric bicycle, or as close as we can get via video.
Solar 101 with Fred Garbo and Don McLean
Join Fred Garbo of Garbo-Kane Integrated Solar Builders and Don McLean, solar homeowner, for an introduction to home-sized solar. Learn about the costs and return on investment, different set-ups available, and the most current technologies.
EV Charging Etiquette and More E-Bikes!
Learn the do's and dont's of charging your EV in the community, and join us for a virtual e-bike extravaganza.
Community Solar Update
Meeting Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions goals and powering an increasingly electrified transportation system will require a dramatic increase solar capacity. Mike Dunn of CEBE's Energy Working Group facilitates this discussion about the latest developments in Community Solar and CEBE’s project with the town of Norway in the wake of the recent change in state policy. This is a great opportunity to learn about how Community Solar can benefit homeowners and businesses who may not be well-situated for installing their own panels. Q & A follows the presentation.
Solar Site Tour and Kia Niro ride along
Take a virtual tour of a local solar installation, and ride along with Seal in her Kia Niro.
Solar Site Tour #2 and Smart Fortwo ride along
Check out another local solar installation from the comfort of your couch, and get the virtual driving experience of a Smart Fortwo.
2030: A Vision for Electric Mobility in Western Maine
54% of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector. Join Scott Vlaun, CEBE's Executive Director, for a participatory look at the current realities of EV and alternative transportation in western Maine and beyond, and what the science requires by the end of the decade to avoid the worst climate change scenarios. Share your perspective as an EV driver or a potential EV driver, cyclist, or public transportation advocate. What are the next steps our community can take to lower our transportation emissions? What other solutions should be part of western Maine in 2030?
VW E-Golf and Tesla Model 3 ride along
Join us to experience the Volkswagen E-Golf and the Tesla Model 3.
