The City of Mesa’s free “Living Green” workshop series continues Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1:30 p.m. with a seminar on How to Go Solar: Renewable Energy for Your Home at the Mesa Red Mountain Branch Library, 635 N. Power Road. The Development and Sustainability Department and Mesa Library are presenting the monthly workshop series featuring earth-friendly advice for your home and garden.

“This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who is interested in accessible, affordable and renewable solar energy,” Deputy Director of Environmental and Sustainability Scott Bouchie said. “Especially now that there are some generous federal rebates now available.”

How to Go Solar: Renewable Energy for Your Home will be presented by Rhonda Lester. After 21 years working for the Arizona Department of Health Services, Lester retired and devoted her time to solar energy education. She completed training on photovoltaics at the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, California and now enjoys volunteering her time helping others learn about solar and the benefits of renewable energy.

This workshop will focus on how take advantage of the bountiful sunshine Mesa has to offer while explaining what electricity is, how it is made, why costs are rising, and how solar panels create clean, renewable energy that saves you money. Participants will learn what types of solar panels are available and their cost, and what types of utility and tax incentives are available. APS and SRP incentives, as well as State and Federal tax credit amounts will be covered.

If you can’t make it to the workshop, the City has posted a monthly Sustainability Savings Tip on its new Web site, www.mesaaz.gov/sustainability. The September tip provides helpful solar tips and estimates for savings, and includes the availability of solar and other energy efficiency incentives and rebates.

The aim of the “Living Green” series is to inform the community about why and how to increase the sustainability of our community, and is part of larger effort by the City to develop and implement innovative and effective programs to address environmental issues and concerns.

The series will continue on the second Saturday of each month with new topics and guest speakers. For more information on the “Living Green” workshop series or the City’s sustainability efforts, visit www.mesaaz.gov/sustainability or call (480) 644-4400.