Category: Sustainable Stars

From Sunlight to Savings: A Rooftop Solar Success Story

3/31/2025

By Sara Vinson, Sustainable Newton Co-Founder & Secretary

Mike McQuaide is our second Sustainable Star of 2025. Mike is a professor emeritus of sociology at Oxford College and a former Sustainable Newton board member. Mike and his wife Stacy Bell installed solar panels on their historic Oxford home in 2023. We asked Mike some questions about the decision to go solar, the process and the results that they’ve seen.

What inspired you to install rooftop solar panels?
We were inspired to install solar panels for several reasons. When we learned about the many positive consequences of solar panels in reducing greenhouse gasses we also learned about the number of trees that would have to be planted to sequester the same amount of gases that the solar panels would save in emissions. Our 5.67 kW, 14-panel system will reduce carbon emissions equivalent to planting 580 trees. Put another way, they’re the equivalent of 56,000 car miles avoided.
We all contribute to global climate change. Installing solar panels was one decision we could make to reduce our carbon footprint.

0 Comments

Oxford's Eve Mullen Transitions to EV

1/25/2025

0 Comments

By Sara Vinson, Sustainable Newton Co-Founder & Secretary

This year, we're highlighting Newton County residents who have used Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and rebates to increase household energy efficiency and transition to clean energy. These individuals and families are our Sustainable Stars.

Our first Sustainable Star is Eve Mullen. Eve is an associate professor of religion at Oxford College of Emory University. Since completing a home energy audit in 2023, Eve and her husband, Florian Pohl, who joined the Sustainable Newton board this year, have been taking steps to make their home more energy efficient. In December 2024, Eve took advantage of the IRA’s $7,500 new-EV rebate, to purchase her first electric vehicle, a Chevy Equinox, from Ginn Chevrolet in Covington. We asked Eve some questions about making the leap to an EV.

What made you decide to purchase an electric vehicle?
I had been looking at EVs for some time. It's an environmentally friendly way to get around, and my family wanted to do our part by cutting emissions.

How did the Inflation Reduction Act incentives influence your decision?

0 Comments

From Sunlight to Savings: A Rooftop Solar Success Story

Oxford's Eve Mullen Transitions to EV

Categories

Archives