Clean Energy Home Tour: Solar Panels
2025-04-26 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Private Home in northern are of Acton, Address Sent Upon Registration, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Clean Energy Home of the Month
April Focus: Home Solar

“There is nothing like the real solutions people choose [to] feel like you’re getting solid, usable information, even when you know there are new models and options with everything.”
Clean Energy Tour feedback, 2023

Register HERE.

Home solar panels are a great way to adopt renewable energy and to save money on electricity.
Unlike our 2024 solar home tour, which looked at an amazing house with ground-mount panels and four solar batteries, where the home drew very little electricity from the grid and put none into the grid; this year, for 2025, we are featuring a much simpler and “everyday” solar project, where the energy from the solar panels feeds into the grid and the homeowners receive net metering credits from Eversource. Your hosts are very happy with this more traditional system. Along with explaining the equipment, the homeowners will outline their selection process, the resources that helped them, and the expense of the project. They will also share data from two years’ worth of solar generation/net metering credits and explain the impact of the net metering on their monthly bills and their payback timeline.
In addition, you will receive an update on incentives as of mid-April 2025. Massachusetts net metering makes solar rooftop panels attractive, even aside from federal tax rebates. However, EnergizeActon.org will share the latest info on the federal context, where homeowner solar tax credits remain in effect as of this writing. (Red states have benefitted greatly from solar installations on all levels–private, municipal, and state–so reducing the incentives does have real political consequences.)
As solar owners will comment, it is a real delight to get multiple electricity bills where your balance is an extraordinary . . . $0.00!
There will be two 1-hour sessions to see the house at 11am and 1pm.
The address is sent with registration.

Register HERE.

April Home Equipment:
Rooftop Solar PV (2022) – 18 panels
Ground Mount Solar RV (2008) – 16 panels
Kia EV6 Electric Vehicle (2023)
Home Level 2 charger/ChargePoint (2023)

More Clean Energy Home Tours are on the way!
Saturday, May 10th, will feature an historic home with heat pumps and solar.
Saturday, June 15th, will be a double head with two neighbors whose systems do not use fossil fuels.

EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on each month.

Nature of Acton and Boxborough 2025
2025-05-05 00:00 - 12:55 | Natural Landscapes, Parks, Woodlands, Wetlands, Backyards, Acton and Boxborough, Massachusetts, US
Please join the Nature of Acton and Boxborough 2025 Bioblitz this April.

We invite you to document and celebrate biodiversity in Acton and Boxborough. Last year 26 participants made almost 1000 observations and identified over 500 species in the Acton and Boxborough area.
To join, first create an account on iNaturalist on your phone or computer at www.iNaturalist.org. Then, join our Project. You can search for our Project on the Community tab on your computer, or on your phone. Search for Nature of Acton and Boxborough April 2025 or click here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/nature-of-acton-and-boxborough-april-2025-97a1ec54-b74d-4d71-a381-0aaddbbff9ee
(Please make sure you are joining the 2025 project, not the 2024 project!)
We are opening the window on April 18 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Samuel Prescott’s ride (and Paul Revere’s Ride) to Acton. But the Boston Area City Nature Challenge will only count observations from April 25 to 28, so it’s important to make observations during that time period as well.
For more information about the Boston Area CNC, visit: https://www.bostoncnc.org/.
There are over 2,000 acres of conservation areas in Acton and Boxborough with a variety of habitats, such as cattail marshes, ponds, open fields and dense forests. These habitats host snapping turtles, reptiles, frogs, insects, birds, mammals, and many plant species. Another 3,000 acres of private land provides habitat for wildlife, including two steps outside your door! What kind of wildlife lives here? Let’s find out this April!
Then snap a photo of any plant, animal or fungus you see and get it on our list. Can we break 500 species this year? Who can ID the most? Taking observations of wildlife helps advance science, too! According to National Geographic, “High quality data uploaded toiNaturalist becomes part of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, an open source database used by scientists and policy makers around the world.”
This is a fun activity for your family and to celebrate Earth Week.
This Bioblitz is a collaboration of people from Energize Acton, the Acton Conservation Trust, Green Acton, AB Steam Acton Men’s Outdoor Club, Acton Discovery Museum, the Boxborough Conservation Trust and the Town of Acton Sustainability office. If you have any questions about the activity or about how to join the project in iNaturalist, feel free to contact Matt Liebman at liebman.matt57@gmail.com.

Acton Clean Energy Home Tour: A 1793 Farmhouse Goes Energy Efficient!
2025-05-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Historic Acton Home, Address Sent Upon Registration, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Clean Energy Home Tour:
May Focus on Energy Updates to an Historic House

Register HERE.

Do you have an older home? A larger home? Are you thinking about replacing your oil or gas furnace with high-efficiency air source heat pumps? Interested to know how solar panels can help with electrical costs? Come visit this historic property, with a large 1793 farmhouse, and learn about the steps taken to make this home more energy efficient, including new insulation, windows, air source heat pumps and solar panels. Your hosts are eager to share what worked, what was less successful, and what actions other residents might tackle first in their own homes. This is a great opportunity to explore the unique energy challenges that come with homes built in other eras. Plus, it is an awesome property that many of us drive past every day!
We are optimistic that an official Acton Clean Energy Coach will also be on hand for these tours. There will be a 10:00am session and a 1:00pm session. As usual, coffee and snacks will be on hand, along with the latest resources from EnergizeActon.org, including the most up-to-date information on incentives.

Register HERE.

When: Saturday, May 10th with a 10:00am tour and a 1:00pm tour.
Where: Acton Historic District (Address sent upon registration.)
The technologies you will see in this home include:

27 panel rooftop solar system;
3 air source heat pumps (ducted);
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV);
Ultra efficient heat pump hot water heater;
Rehabilitated historical windows with storms;
Induction stove and energy star appliances;
EV (2017 Tesla) and level 2 car charger;
Fireplace with top sealing damper and makeup air vent;
24W backup generator with critical-loads electrical panel; and
Water conservation measures inside and out.

After registration you will receive an email with the house address and specific information about parking, etc. Thank you for your interest!

EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on each month.

Mass Save: Friend of Our Future
2025-05-28 19:00 - 20:15
Mass Save: Friend or Foe?
Register HERE.

Is Mass Save a villain, causing high utility bills? Or is Mass Save a critical, if all too human, effort to make energy more efficient, more environmentally safe, and—fingers crossed—more affordable? Scrolling social media and news reports this past winter, many people blamed Mass Save for high bills. Is this fair? Can we get an accurate picture of where Mass Save actually stands in the context of energy provision and energy costs for Massachusetts households?
Mark Dyen is an energy efficiency expert who can help us see the big picture.
Mark was a co-founder and leader of the non-profit Conservation Services Group, where he spent over 30 years on energy efficiency program development in several states and the province of Quebec. Over the last 10 years, he has focused on residential energy efficiency, distributed generation policy, and carbon reduction plans. In addition to wide experience across the field, Mark is a voice for energy equity. He has also participated in efforts to improve Mass Save.
Mark will address the following questions.

Was Mass Save the main driver of high energy costs this past winter?
What percentage of your energy bills goes to Mass Save?
How does Mass Save benefit households?
Can Mass Save benefit households with fewer resources, e.g. renters?
Will Mass Save help people reduce energy costs?
Does it make sense for utilities to oversee Mass Save?
What is the future of Mass Save?

Register HERE.

Thank you for your interest in a clean, affordable energy future.
EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays on each month.

Clean Energy Home Tour Double Header!
2025-06-07 11:00 - 14:00 | Two Fossil Fuel Free Neighbors, Address sent after registration., Acton, Massachusetts, US
Tour Two Clean Energy Homes
June Focus: Fossil Fuel Free Neighbors
Register HERE.

Can you picture your home completely disconnected from fossil fuels? Well, come to the June Clean Energy Home Tour and see two households who have done just that! These are NOT swanky LEED certified designer houses. Rather, these are normal homes where the owners have taken steps over time to transition to clean energy. And both households officially capped their natural gas lines! The two homes are connected to the electrical grid; however, both households signed up for Acton Power Choice GREEN and both households have solar panels, so their use of the grid relies on renewable sources. The owners look forward to speaking with you about their journeys!

There will be a morning tour (11am) and an afternoon tour (1pm) for each household, so that you can see one home or both. You can indicate your choices when you register. You are also invited to a light lunch at noon. In between these two neighbors are a set of recently installed solar carports. For those who can stay to eat with us, Jim Snyder-Grant, Acton Select Board member and a founder of the Acton Clean Energy Coach Program, will give guests an orientation to these new structures and their contribution to the grid. All are welcome free of charge.

Register HERE.

House #1 Details
Duplex with 1200 sq feet of area

Solar panels
Air source heat pump mini-splits (Fujitsu—one single head and one multi-head)
Air source heat pump hot water heater (AO Smith 50 gallon)
Air source heat pump clothes dryer (Miele T1)
EV and EV charging
Induction stovetop (Kenmore)
Whole-house electricity monitoring (Emporia)
Electric Lawn Mower

House #2 Details
2400 sq feet built in 1996

Geothermal Heating and Cooling System (2024)
Solar Panels : 10 kW PV array on roof
Solar Battery Storage : 18 kWh Generac battery
Solar hot water panels on roof
Greenhouse heat transfer system
Clivus toilet composting system
4-stage reverse osmosis water filter
Induction Cooktop
EV and shared EV charger
Rechargeable electric mower

The owners write, “Don’t try to do everything at once, but make a plan and follow it (Zero Carbon Over Time). Don’t agonize and try for perfection. Very good and sooner is better than perfect and later.”

EnergizeActon.org is a joint project of the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and the Acton Climate Coalition.
Interested in joining us? We welcome your involvement in any way, large or small. The team meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at noon. Or just write us to share your ideas. The email address is EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com.

Electric Vehicle Petting Zoo
2025-07-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 586 Main Street, Room Main Meeting Room, Acton, Massachusetts, US
“’With five years of conducting this study and surveying thousands of EV owners, it’s apparent that once consumers enter the EV fold, they’re highly likely to remain committed to the technology,’ (with a repurchase rate of 94-97%.)” J.D. Power

Register HERE . . . or simply stop by at the library!

Even in our uncertain times, electric vehicles continue to advance and amaze. With zero emissions, high performance, and low maintenance costs, EVs are fun to own. And, of course, they are critical to the effort to address our warming climate. EV drivers are huge champions of this technology. The EV Petting Zoo* is a chance for you to talk with local EV drivers and see a variety of electric vehicles, with passenger models from Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai, and more; plus the Town of Acton will be showcasing some of their electric vehicles. We welcome all who are thinking about an electric vehicle AND we welcome folks who have recently purchased an EV and would like to share their experiences. You can sign up to join us or simply come by!
Register HERE.
Resources will also be available addressing topics from incentives to charging. Look for info about the Massachusetts MOR-EV program and its rebates, the latest information on federal EV tax credits, special tips about the growing used EV market, and other helpful organizations such as the Drive Green program.
This event is part of our 2025 Climate Café summer series. The Climate Cafés aim to be an informal, helpful gathering place where Acton residents can discuss a fossil fuel free future, share experiences with clean energy technologies, and look at lifestyle choices that make a difference for our planet. Other events this summer include the

Celebration of Plant-Based Foods Community Potluck Picnic (Wed. July 23rd, 6-8pm, at NARA Park);
Talk—We hope to have another event in August related to resilience. Stay tuned!

Thank you so much for your interest. We look to seeing you at this event or at future events.
*Unfortunately, our “petting zoo” does not include live animals.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Energy Eco-Night
2025-08-15 17:00 - 19:00 | NARA Park Bathhouse Pavilion, 75 Quarry Rd, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Welcome to the Acton Sustainability Office’s
ENERGY ECO-NIGHT!
To sign up, please go to bit.ly/eneconightrsvp.

This event is about celebrating and sharing our community’s efforts to make energy efficiency and clean energy accessible to everyone—regardless of renter status, income, or home type. Our goal is to share a variety of energy-efficiency and cost-saving resources with the public, as well as give attendees the opportunity to ask questions and connect directly with representatives from relevant organizations.
While we are planning a fun event for all ages, the keys to this event are the organizations who have volunteered to share their resources with the community. Please come and check out the resources available to you.
And enjoy the fun!

Free Pizza
Raffle Prizes
Free Wildlife Presentation with Animal Adventures from 5:00-6:00pm
Family-Friendly Activities

Free transportation is also available. Please contact the Sustainability Office at sustainability@actonma.gov.

To sign up, please go to bit.ly/eneconightrsvp .

Acton Flood Solutions
2025-08-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Gardner Park, 526 Massachusetts Ave, Room West Acton, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Tour of Flood-Prone Areas – Part 1
Calling all Students (Grades 7-12) and Residents interested in reducing the impacts of local flooding!
SIGN-UP for the Hack-a-thon HERE.

Are you a problem solver? Interested in environmental science and sustainability? This informational walk marks the first stage in the Acton Flood Solutions Student Hack-a-thon, sponsored by AB STEAM with support from the Acton Sustainability Office, the Acton Conservation Dept. and the Integral Charitable Foundation. Join us as we ask a particular question: How can we reduce flooding and the impacts of flooding in Acton in a way that is economical, sustainable, and socially and environmentally friendly?
Join the organizers for FREE ice cream and information from 4:00-5:00pm at Gardner Park in West Acton. Then the participants will caravan to the Heath Hen Meadow Trail in South Acton at the very back of Mount Hope Cementary, 166 Central St., Acton. The group will walk the Heath Hen Trail, led by Acton Conservation Dept. Staff, and look at a flooded area, discussing challenges and solutions.
As our climate warms, extreme weather events are becoming more common, including serious flood and flash-flood episodes. Help the Town address this challenge! AB STEAM is launching the Hackathon this summer and fall! The winning solution will receive an award and recognition! Plus students can earn community service credit (up to 15 hours). Join a team or create your own team to develop strategies to reduce flooding. Here is the Hack-a-thon timeline

Tues., Aug. 19th, 4:00-6:00pm: Informational Walk about Flood-Prone areas
Tues, Sept. 30th, 6:00-7:00pm on zoom: Main Hack-a-thon information session
Fri., Oct. 3rd: Hack-a-thon Sign-Up Deadline
TBA, January, 2026: Hack-a-thon in-person event to present solutions

The August 19th event also includes an all-day fundraiser for AB STEAM at the West Side Creamery in West Acton. Mention AB STEAM when ordering your ice cream and part of your purchase will go to AB STEAM. (Please note: No funds will benefit EnergizeActon.org.)

Join the Hack-a-thon! Sign-up HERE.

Climate Café: Zero Waste?
2025-08-26 17:00 - 18:00 | The Red House Outdoor Classroom, 468 Main Street, Room (Please park next door at Acton Town Hall.), Acton, Massachusetts, US
Zero Waste? The Story of Our Trash
Please register HERE.

Many people and communities aspire to a zero-waste goal. Yet, in recent years, news reports have left many folks cynical about what actually happens to our trash. Are there facilities for recycling here in New England? Or does it get sent overseas or even incinerated? Is composting making a difference for food waste? What about commercial pick-up from Acton’s apartment buildings and condo associations? Have Acton residents succeeded in reducing their portion of trash in our municipal solid refuse? Has the plastic bag ban been a success?
Join Lauren West, Environmental Analyst for the Acton Sustainability Office, as she outlines what happens to waste here in Acton and as she looks regional/national trends.
This is also an event to celebrate the new outdoor classroom at the Sustainability Office’s “Red House,” 468 Main Street, next to Town Hall. Please park at Town Hall and follow the signs along the walkway and across Woodbury Lane to the Red House. Munchies and cool beverages will be served in low-waste style!!

Please register HERE.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

RECORDING: Garden for Climate Resilience (Watch Anytime!)
2025-09-30 04:20 - 16:22
“A Part of Nature, Not Apart from Nature” Trevor Smith, Regenrative Land Expert
See Recording HERE.
From drought to overwhelming rain, the last two years have been tough on the New England region. Though we have not been hit as hard as some parts of the country and of the globe, the reality of our changing climate is evident in our own gardens and open spaces. Is there anything we can do to keep our home and local landscapes healthy and thriving? The answer is YES!
Join Trevor Smith for this talk about how to garden and manage landscapes for resilience. Trevor is the Design and Education Manager for Weston Nurseries, but he also has long experience in regenerative land care, from addressing urban heat islands with greening projects to designing rain gardens and managing stormwater runoff. A part of Trevor’s presentation will look at the key element of water extremes, i.e., what can we do about too much or too little rain? In addition, Trevor will address the living systems in our yards. How can we keep soils intact and vigorous? What plant species are most adaptable? And which species are key for maintaining the biodiversity on which our land depends?
Trevor’s joy in the natural world is as deep as his commitment to ecological principles. Please bring your questions as he shares his hope for gardeners in a warming world.
This event happened at the Acton Town Hall, 472 Main St., Acton, MA, Room 204, on Wed., April 24th at 7pm. EnergizeActon.org thanks our co-sponsors—the Acton Conservation Trust and the Acton Garden Club Shirley Towle Lecture Fund—for their generosity and their vision.
EnergizeActon.org is a joint project of the Town of Acton Sustainability Office and the Acton Climate Coalition.
We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. Interested in volunteering? Contact us HERE.

October Clean Energy Home Tour
2025-10-25 11:00 - 14:00 | North Acton neighborhood, Address sent upon registration., Acton, Massachusetts, US
Tour the Clean Energy Home of the Month
October Focus: Heat Pumps/Gas/Solar Multi-System House
Register HERE.

Concerned about the fossil fuels that heat your home? But not be sure how to incorporate unfamiliar renewable technologies? This month’s clean energy home is a great example of homeowners who have decided to address change one step at a time. They began by reviewing their home energy efficiency and doing a thorough project of insulation–with immediate results. Then, rather than redo their entire gas system, they decided the first step was a dual fuel combo of air source heat pump and natural gas furnace. Finally, a change in their tree canopy opened up space for their latest project, rooftop solar. Their experience has been so positive that one of the homeowners has become an Acton Clean Energy Coach!
Very few households have the resources to decarbonize their homes in one fell swoop. Come and talk with these Acton neighbors about creating a multi-year plan for transitioning to clean energy. Forward motion is the key. Perhaps year one is the affordable goal of an in-depth home energy audit and using the clothes dryer less in favor on drying racks. Year two might be another affordable goal of home insulation with great rebates from Mass Save. And so on, planning toward significant change. This home tour will give you good ideas about systems big and small, timeframes, and costs.
Register HERE.
The October Clean Energy Home’s Technologies

Mass Save Insulation Program
Ducted Bosch heat- pump and high efficiency gas furnace combo
Solar panels with majority of panels facing west due to trees on south side
Eco power lawn mower and leaf blower

When: Saturday, October 25, 11am and 1pm
Where: North Acton
There will be two 1-hour sessions to see the house at 11am and 1pm.
After registration you will receive an email with the house address and specific information about parking, etc.
Pumpkin give-away to celebrate the season! Along with cider, coffee, and munchies.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Discover STEM
2025-11-07 18:00 - 20:30 | Acton Boxborough Regional High School, 36 Charter Rd, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Energize Acton Demos Energy Efficiency Technology

Join AB STEAM for the DiscoverSTEM 2025 event, exploring science, technology, engineering, and math career options. DiscoverSTEM is set up like a trade show where local STEM companies exhibit the latest technologies for students in grades 7 through 12 and for the community. Exhibitors are representatives from diverse fields who showcase about their products, services, ideas, and inventions and share the real-world usage of STEM.
EnergizeActon.org will be one of the exhibitors, highlighting the tools used to increase home energy efficiency, such as infrared cameras to pinpoint heating/cooling gaps in home/building envelopes.
DiscoverSTEM 2025 is sponsored by AB STEAM (Acton Boxborough Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Math). AB STEAM is a non-profit community organization dedicated to 1) providing family-oriented math, science and art activities and events; 2) collaborating with parents, students, schools, community leaders and business partners; and 3) promoting resources that enrich Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) education in our community.

RECORDING -- The Trees Are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests
2025-12-31 00:05 - 23:55
The Trees Are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests
SEE THE RECORDING HERE.

“What we’re really talking about when we talk about forests isn’t only about the trees, and it certainly isn’t only about the lumber; it’s about the relationships.” Lynda V. Mapes

Registration for this event has closed, however we are pleased to provide the recording HERE.
Unfortunately, we have only the author’s slides and audio. Her initial slide is up for quite some time, which might seem like an error, but please presevere! Lynda’s talk is wonderful! And varied slides do come up.

This work focuses on the critical role of forests everywhere, but especially on both coasts of the U.S., and on the role of indigenous voices in advocating for ecosystem integrity.
Do you look at your own yard and see stressed trees? Spruces dying back? Fir trees struggling? The heart-wrenching loss of beautiful beeches to beech leaf disease? What is the connection between our local trees and the health of our forests? Increasingly, we recognize the importance of forests for key ecological functions, such as clean air, clean water, important pollinator/wildlife populations, carbon storage, and a balanced climate. So how are our forests doing? And how can we advocate for trees, near and far?
Lynda V. Mapes, award-winning environmental journalist for the Seattle Times, was inspired to write The Trees Are Speaking after exploring the richness of old growth forests in the Northwest U.S. and Canada. But she also came face to face with the widespread destruction of these forests. Mapes writes, “The book therefore became a witness not only to the incredible ecological and cultural values of these forests but to the connected history of their loss, beginning on the East Coast in Maine and repeated across the United States and continuing over the border into Canada, even today.”
But not all is gloom. Mapes also outlines the resilience of nature, the insights and perseverance of First Nations people who have raised their voices to protect and renew ecosystems, understandings of our inter-relatedness uncovered by scientists, and even new approaches to commercial forestry.
Please join us.

This talk is co-sponsored by the Acton Conservation Trust, the Acton Garden Club Shirley Towle Lecture Fund, the Silver Unicorn Bookstore, and EnergizeActon.org.

EnergizeActon.org is a joint effort of the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office. Interested in lending a skill? Contact us HERE. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month.

Biosphere Book Club - Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane
2026-01-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
The Biosphere Book Group is an experiment!
Join us to read authors who reflect on climate vis-à-vis the health of human and ecological communities.

Our first author is Robert Macfarlane who has received acclaim for his 2025 book, Is a River Alive?
We know that folks have many demands on their time. As much as we would like to read on a regular basis, this goal is often difficult. So, the Biosphere Book Group will be “text-based,” that is, each session leader will read the book, pull out key quotes, and plan questions or reflections that can involve all the participants, whether they have read the book or not. Of course, if you have time to tackle the book, that enriches the experience for you! But reading the book before our meeting session is not required. The session page of quotes and questions, along with the zoom link, will go out to registered participants the Friday before each session.
Our first session will be online, but perhaps we might meet in person at times, depending on our participants. The idea is to explore a different book every 2 months, for 6 sessions per year.
The true goal is to foster discussion about our extraordinary, yet endangered biosphere. What are researchers, scientists, journalists, and authors saying about the natural world? Can clean energy advances, government policy, and life style choices make a difference? What are we ourselves noticing and thinking? What gives us joy? What leaves us deeply concerned? Can we create a sense of community, however humble, that gives us strength? Can that sense of community help us to make a concrete difference? Big questions aside, pour yourself a cup of tea or other beverage, have a good time, and celebrate the written word!

Solar without federal incentives: why it still works and what options exist
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00
Thinking about solar but not sure where to start? Join our webinar to learn how solar works, what options are available, and how it can help lower energy costs while supporting a cleaner, healthier community!
Register: www.tinyurl.com/home-solar-webinar

Clean Energy Home Tour -- Focus: SOLAR SHINGLES!
2026-03-01 11:00 - 14:00 | Address shared upon registration, West Acton Village Area, Acton, Massachusetts, US
Clean Energy Home Tour
March 2026 Focus on Solar Shingles
“David Martin was top notch! We will be following up with him.” 2023 Clean Energy Tour
“This went way beyond my expectations!” 2024 Clean Energy Tour
Register HERE.
People know about rooftop solar panels and the great long-term savings on electricity bills. But what about SOLAR SHINGLES? Is this the new way to save? Join the Energize Acton March Clean Energy Home Tour and see a house that has been a model for many clean energy innovations, now including solar shingles! Acton Clean Energy Coach David Martin is delighted to show you this new update to his home and explain how it compares with traditional solar. This house is also unique because it has both a standard mini-split heat pump and a larger heat pump to hot water system. Feel the comfort level for yourself and talk with David Martin about his experience moving the home from fossil fuel heating and cooling to cleaner energy systems. David has experience with a wide variety of clean energy technologies.
When: Sunday, March 1st with an 11:00am tour and a 1:00pm tour.
Where: South Acton (Address sent unpon registration.)
The technologies you will see in this home include:

Solar Shingles
Hydronics whole-house heat pump
Mini-split heat pump
Heat pump dryer
Heat pump water heater
Induction range
EV and Electric car chargers
Battery-electric hard tools (lawn mower, snow blower, chain saw, etc.)

There will be two 1-hour sessions to see the house at 11am and 1pm.
Register HERE.
After registration you will receive an email with the house address and specific information about parking, etc. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Also, there will be handouts about state incentives as well as background material about the technologies you will see..
EnergizeActon.org is co-sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Do you have ideas or a talent you would like to contribute? Please contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. The Energize Acton team meets the 1st Wednesday of each month.
