10 to the power 17 Watts (that is 17 zeros) of energy reaches us here from the sun - it drives the weather, photosynthesis, agriculture, wave energy, ocean plankton, everything. We consume 1.5 times 10 to the power 13 Watts, almost 90% from fossil fuels (1). That's not sustainable. It could be argued that tectonic energy and geothermal energy (1) were historically derived from the sun. So let's get with the program!
The Northwest Solar Expo is where you can learn about making the sun more of a friend on a practical basis from businesses primarily based right here. Part of the conference is for professionals: people who need training to create a solar business - that is April 16-20. If you are curious about using the sun to improve your life, April 19-20 is for you.
All the details are at www.nwsolarexpo.com. Go by Train! (for now, most of our MAX light rail Portland electricity comes from hydro - driven by gravity of earth's mass spun out from the sun and the hydrological cycle - rain - driven by.... the sun! Or bike, your energy derived from eating plants and more, driven by.... the sun!)
Also there is a big Earth Day celebration Saturday April 19. cityrepair.org/wiki.php/projects/earthday 10AM-10PM Overlook Park, N Portland.
