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by LAURA TABOR
Lifestyles Reporter
Appalachian State University Sustainable Energy Society, (ASUSES) will host its annual Solar Christmas Tree Lighting tomorrow.
The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with a reception at Café Portofino, and then the group will walk to the Jones House Community Center for the lighting.
Town of Boone Mayor
Loretta Clawson will speak at the lighting, as well as Lee Ball, a
professor in the appropriate technology department.
The
tree’s lights are connected to a photovoltaic system that allows it to
absorb solar energy all day and power the lights all night.
“This
tree is completely off the grid,” industrial technology graduate
student and President of ASUSES Michael J. Uchal said. “[The system]
was designed and built and installed by students.”
Appropriate
technology students in the photovoltaic class at Appalachian created
the system, and ASUSES members will assemble it for the lighting.
This event began 13 years ago, as a fundraiser for the appropriate technology department.
The tree was the spruce in front of Katherine Harper Hall.
“As the
event grew, we began to focus on a more community-oriented event,” J.
Grey Nelson, a senior appropriate technology major and vice president
of ASUSES, said. “We’ve worked with the Jones House for four or five
years now.”
After the lighting, the event returns to Café Portofino for a raffle drawing and live music.
Prizes have been donated by many local businesses.
“We had
almost $2,000 worth of raffle prizes last year, and tickets are $1,”
Nelson said. “After the raffle, there’s a $3 cover to come listen to
the bands.”
Wood Grain, Southern Exposure and The Native Sway will play.
“All of the bands have people from our department in them, and they’re all local,” Uchal said.
Wood
Grain plays acoustic folk-rock music, Southern Exposure plays old-time
music and The Native Sway plays electronic dance music.
During the musical acts, alcoholic drinks will be served, but admittance will be 18 and up.
ASUSES
grew out of the Solar Club, a group that began in 1996 with the purpose
of learning about various renewable energy sources.
This event has become their main fundraiser for their sustainability efforts on campus.
“It’s a great way to celebrate and support a good cause at the same time,” Nelson said.
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