Sun Day Events In Vienna Provide Advocacy For Clean Energy Sources

VIENNA, VA — To celebrate Sun Day as a way to advocate for clean energy, events were held Sunday in Vienna and other communities around the U.S.

Mothers Out Front Fairfax and a coalition of climate organizations participated in the Sun Day events in Vienna. Environmental activist Bill McKibben spearheaded the effort to post more than 500 events in 50 states to call for a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind and battery-powered energy.

"In Fairfax, we're already seeing the incredible potential of clean energy. Our community is proving that solar and renewable energy aren’t just the future, they're actually powering our present," said Bobby Monacella, a Mothers Out Front Fairfax organizer. “As moms, we know that a livable future for our kids depends on a rapid transition to renewable energy. And we know moms are a trusted voice to share the news that solar energy is less expensive, faster to build, and healthier for our kids."

The Sun Day events in Vienna highlighted clean energy efforts by Fairfax County Public Schools, local churches, and others in the community.

At Louise Archer Elementary School, attendees learned about solar and electric school bus initiatives at FCPS. Presenters included Del. Holly Seibold (D-Vienna), Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) School Board Chair Karl Frisch and Superintendent Michelle Reid. The Fairfax County School Board recently approved 35 solar school projects, including one at Louise Archer Elementary School.

In addition, 17 new electric school buses were recently delivered, bringing the school district's fleet to 90. At the event, attendees could tour electric school buses and get a look under the hood. There were free snow cones and live music powered by the bus battery, intended to demonstrate how the battery could power the building in the event of a power grid outage.

Presenters included Del. Holly Seibold (D-Vienna), Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) School Board Chair Karl Frisch, Superintendent Michelle Reid and Langley High School student Shriya Gubbi.

Gubbi has advocated for the initiatives at the Fairfax County School Board.

"In the midst of budget cuts, I urge FCPS to continue to make these choices so that kids all across the county have the opportunity to have a clean energy future,” said Gubbi. "It's important to note that these improvements will actually save the district money on energy costs in the long run. In fact, FCPS has already saved 100 million dollars from sustainability efforts. That's money that can be invested back into classrooms to maintain the great quality of education we get here in Fairfax County."

Other Sun Day events in Vienna included a tour of the new 180kW solar parking lot canopy and an EV Showcase at Church of the Holy Comforter, a Solar Sip & Shop event at Trace the Zero Waste Store, a tour of a new net-zero home and personalized home electrification coaching from GoElectricDMV coaches, and another home tour of an eco-awarded house with solar and battery storage and a pollinator-friendly native plant garden.