Solar Party in Gainesville Florida Supports Sheriff Darnell Re-election

Invited guests, neighbors and solar panels soaked in the clean Florida sunshine during this past week’s first Solar Party held in Gainesville, Florida. An estimated 180 to 200 people attended the party in support of the re-election of Sheriff Sadie Darnell to the position of Sheriff of Alachua County and to learn more about the Solarize Now! solar discount program.

After retiring from the Gainesville Police Department in 2005 as Captain, Darnell was first sworn Sheriff in 2006 to finish out the term of former Sheriff Steve Oelrich, who left office to make a successful run for the Florida Senate. Darnell was subsequently re-elected to her second term as sheriff in 2008.

Now seeking a third term, Darnell filed the required paperwork in July 2011 to campaign as Alachua County Sheriff in November 2012.

“I just love my solar system”, says Darnell. She first installed a solar hot water system to her home about five years ago. The hot water system worked so well and saved so much money that she installed a solar photovoltaic (PV) electrical generating system in January, 2011. Her system was selected by lottery into the Gainesville Regional Utilities GRU feed-in tariff program and is featured in Solar Ambassadors America.

Guest of the Solar Party enjoyed a BBQ spread catered by Adam’s Rib Company, a locally owned and operated restaurant. The menu included zesty BBQ chicken and shredded pork accompanied by all the southern-style fixings.

Two local solar installation companies were on-hand to answer questions about solar hot water systems and solar photovoltaic (PV) electrical power generating systems. ECS-Solar represented hot water while Power Production Management presented the solar PV.

The Solar Party was the result of collaborative efforts between Clean Energy Logistics Lab (CELL) and the Re-elect Sheriff Sadie Darnell campaign. CELL promotes solar through their Solarize Now! solar discount program.