Oct. 3 will mark the beginning of the 6th annual DFW Solar Tour. This year’s tour, however, has added a significant change to the day’s schedule: at the end, an event will be held at Plano Senior High to spread awareness about energy usage and educate the public on renewable energy sources.  Originally, the event was planned to serve as a chance for the people who had included their houses in the tour to meet other host site participants to discuss common interests and mingle. It was later expanded to be an all-inclusive event for anyone interested in the environment to come join in on the fun.

“The Environmental Club at Plano Senior expanded their initial idea to an Energy Awareness Event,” DFW Solar Tour committee member Richard Howe said. “They have encouraged participation from local organizations to set up tables with information and ideas about clean energy and sustainability topics.”

Plano Senior’s Environmental Club sponsor Mark Yoder hopes to create an event that will bring the entire tour to a successful close and be enjoyed by the whole family

“There will be information booths, games for kids and adults, music, drinks and refreshments, and opportunities to talk with homeowners currently using solar energy in their homes,” Yoder said. “A City of Plano council member has been invited as well to speak about the four-star sustainability rating that Plano has received and how the city hopes to maintain or improve that rating.”

Coordinators of the event hope for a large turnout and have thus worked to create an event that will appeal to all ages and interest groups. Schools from all over the district and surrounding areas are encouraged to participate.

“Because we see this event as important to all of PISD, we would be honored to have Plano West’s and Plano East’s participation as well,” Yoder said. “We hope to educate all visiting students and their families on topics such as energy usage and the importance of sustainability, and to motivate them to make more sustainable choices in their lives.”

For more information for the Energy Awareness Event, which will be held from 3 p.m to 6 p.m on the Plano Senior High School campus, visit www.dfwsolartour.org.