Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Successful Solar Walk in Lee Vining

Local kids made the Solar Walk banner with Maureen McGlinchy. It is on display at the Lee Vining Community Center. Photo by Janet Carle.
Local kids made the Solar Walk banner with Maureen McGlinchy. It is on display at the Lee Vining Community Center. Photo by Janet Carle.

The Mono Basin Solar Walk was held last Sunday, September 27 in Lee Vining. A good crowd enjoyed interesting discussion about all aspects of solar installation, and a great reaction from our “Solar Pioneers” as their steps taken toward renewable energy were honored. The beautiful banner that Maureen McGlinchy and local children made is now on display at the Lee Vining Community Center.

Mono County Supervisors Fred Stump and Tim Alpers attended and shared the Board’s goals of encouraging solar energy use throughout the County as the new General Plan is developed.

The Forest Service and Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association were honored as Solar Pioneers at the Scenic Area Visitor Center, and Geoff McQuilkin of the Mono Lake Committee showed off the panels on the historic “ice house” (now offices and library) and the Information Center & Bookstore (formerly Hess Hall).

We are proud to have the first solar powered service station in California in Lee Vining, thanks to owner Shelly Channel, who enjoyed showing his system to all the attendees.

Good incentives exist for solar installation, as well as low County fees and various financing options. If you would like an information sheet outlining incentives, please email Janet Carle.

Supervisors Tim Alpers and Fred Stump receive "Solar Pioneer" awards on behalf of Mono County, installer of solar panels on the Community Centers in Lee Vining and Crowley Lake, from local kids Norah and Sadie Hinson. Photo by Janet Carle.
Supervisors Tim Alpers and Fred Stump receive “Solar Pioneer” awards on behalf of Mono County, installer of solar panels on the Community Centers in Lee Vining and Crowley Lake, from local kids Norah and Sadie Hinson. Photo by Janet Carle.
Mono Lake Committee staff accept the Solar Pioneer award from local kids Norah and Sadie Hinson.
Geoff McQuilkin speaks about the Mono Lake Committee’s solar efforts in front of the Information Center & Bookstore. Photo by Janet Carle.
Mono Lake Committee staff accept the Solar Pioneer award from local kids Norah and Sadie Hinson. Photo by Janet Carle.
Mono Lake Committee staff accept the Solar Pioneer award from local kids Norah and Sadie Hinson. Photo by Janet Carle.