I traveled to Arizona three times to attend solar home tours. First, there was Tucson then a year or so later Flagstaff and Prescott. Each one was a great experience. I got to meet homeowners who were doing things differently and benefiting from it. Best of all was their willingness to share their experiences with others.

I'll never forget seeing my first straw bale home. The natural feel of the walls and the thick, inviting window ledges seemed to envelope those inside. I remember speaking with one homeowner as he proudly displayed his solar heating and cooling system. Yes, in the very hot climate of Tucson he cooled his home using passive and active solar technology and design with very little electricity. I learned a lot from that conversation.

From passive solar designs to water and energy efficiency to solar power, each home featured unique combinations of technology, materials and the wise use of resources. The common thread among them all was the tangible benefit of green living. These people were examples of how to live well, while at the same time doing more with less waste. My experience of those Arizona home tours was of tremendous and lasting value. I learned that green living is more about awareness, attitude and commitment than dollars and cents.

If this type of experience sounds interesting to you, then you are in for a treat. On Oct. 7, the second annual Southern Nevada Solar Home Tour will take place in the valley. Organized by Solar NV, the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, this year's tour will feature approximately 15 sites -- nine residences, as well as educational and commercial facilities.

The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in the courtyard of The Gardens at the Springs Preserve (3701 W. Alta Drive). Educational exhibits will be staffed by representatives from various organizations to provide information about renewable energy, green building, energy efficiency, school district programs, solar rebates and more. The Gardens itself is a wonderful example of water-efficient landscaping and is well worth exploring. The tour-related exhibits will be open until noon.

Guidebooks will be available for purchase, serving as the ticket to the self-guided home tour. Each book will have an overall map, instructions and details on each home or facility on the tour. To minimize energy use, car-pooling is encouraged. One $15 guidebook is good for a whole vehicle, so take your family or a carload of friends. Hybrid vehicles will receive a $5 discount for setting a good example.

Those who spend a little time reviewing the guidebook and planning the rest of the day will most likely get the most out of the experience. All tour sites will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Complete details, including how to receive an early registration discount, can be found at www.solarnv.org. Last year's tour was a sold-out success, so be sure to come early.

For those who live in other areas of the country, rest assured. The Southern Nevada Solar Home tour is part of the National Solar Tour. Similar events will be held across the U.S. and national attendance is expected to top 90,000 people this year. If you'd like to find out about tours in other areas, check out www.nationalsolartour.org for tour listings by state.

We are all aware of the serious issues we face today, including the climate crisis, pollution, dwindling supplies of fossil fuels and increasing energy costs. Often, it can seem that these issues are too big for anyone to have a significant impact on. Well, we do have an impact. Every one of us can be part of the solution, but we need the solution now. I invite you to participate in the Southern Nevada Solar Home Tour. It's all about green living.

Steve Rypka is a green living consultant and president of GreenDream Enterprises, specializing in renewable energy, green building, alternative transportation and lifestyle choices for both residential and commercial clients. The company is committed to helping people live lighter on the planet. Steve can be reached via email at steve@greendream.biz or at www.greendream.biz.