Going Solar: A Clean Energy Celebration

by Colleen Kiernan, Georgia Energy Project Organizer

Over 100 people came out in October 2002 to celebrate Sevananda's (a community-owned natural foods market) new solar power system, which launches the Georgia Energy Project's Community Green Power Program. After a week of being drenched by Hurricane Isadore, the sun was out and generating pollution-free electricity at Sevenanda for the first time!

The event was in a parking lot/alley, which captured the sound from our two live bands, the Sightseers and Unicorn. This was a blessing, as none of the neighbors complained, and a curse, because the rest of the bustling Little Five Points neighborhood couldn't tell that an event was going on right around the corner. Nevertheless, we got around 70 postcards signed to Governor Barnes, asking him to clean up dirty, coal-fired power plants and 12 new prospective volunteers for Community Green Power Programs, including Georgia State Senator Vincent Fort (our keynote speaker), who is going to talk with his pastor about doing a program at their church on the southside of Atlanta.

Sevananda provided Sunshine burgers, Sundrop cookies (like M&Ms), and Sun tea. Metro Vanpool provided a free shuttle from the nearest MARTA station and the Kids Against Pollution were on-hand with compact florescent light bulbs that they gave away as part of their "light bulb exchange program". OneWorld Renewable Energy Corporation was also present to provide information about the solar panels and to tell people how to retrofit their homes with solar.

The General Manager of Sevananda led the crowd in a chant, shouting "Power to the People! People have the Power!" to close out his remarks. All in all, it was a fun and successful event.

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Last updated: 06 Dec 02