Solar Fiesta Kickoff Celebrates 50th Anniversary of First Solar House

This post was submitted by guest blogger Suzanne Prescott, who has been contributing reports regularly to DFNM. She also shot the photos at the event.

Whether you call it solar energy, oil independence, or renewable energy, it may not be the issue that wins the fall election but an increasing number of people believe it's the issue we need to address in order to preserve our planet. Recognizing the issue’s significance, the 50th anniversary of the world's first commercial solar building was held today, Friday September 22, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The crowd included many of the state's renewable energy cognoscenti who came out to recognize the 1956 work of Frank Bridgers and Don Paxton whose bold experimental solar design was successful. 

The occasion also marked the inauguration of the first Equinox Award for contributions to an environmentally sustainable economy. Winner of the award was internationally known Santa Fe architect, Ed Mazria, pictured below. Presenting the award were Janet Briedgers, daughter of Frank Bridgers and city councilor, Ike Benton.

Pictured include (left to right:) Martin Heinrich, Jim Baca,  Ed Mazria, Janet Bridgers, Mrs. Frank Bridgers, and Ike Benton

Also in the crowd was Senator Dede Feldman, sponsor of the 2006 NM legislative energy tax credit legislation.

The event also marked the beginning of this year's Solar Fiesta which will be held at the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center on Saturday on Sunday. For more information about the fiesta visit https://www.nmsea.org. For more coverage of the 50th Anniversary celebration visit Jim Baca's blog at https://onlyinnewmexico.blogspot.com/.

This is a guest blog by Suzanne Prescott. If you'd like to submit material for possible publication as a guest blog, please contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of our main page. -- BW