Staff report

Numerous energy-efficient homes will be open to the public throughout central Maine on Saturday.

Most of the homes will be open for tours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour.

The event focuses on energy-efficient and solar-powered homes and other buildings in an effort to highlight renewable energy technologies and energy-efficient building practices.

The homes have various forms of solar power, including some not connected to the electricity grid. Some also generate electricity with wind power.

There is no charge to participate. More information, including information on the approximately 30 central Maine homes on the tour, is available at www.midcoast.com/~jgs/ and www.mainesolar.org

Local buildings include:

n The Meadow Hill Road, Manchester, home of Tom Bartol and Barbara Moss.

n Maple Hill Farm, a bed and breakfast and conference center on Inn Road in Hallowell.

n The Marden Hill Road, Palermo, home of Paul and Nora Armstrong.

n Three homes in Whitefield: Curry Caputo and Andrea Lani's South Hunts Meadow Road home; Fred and Rebecca Haines' Townhouse Road home; and Ken and Hillary Holm's Philbrick Road home.

n The Kelley Road, Pittston, home of Fred Todd and Ann Pistell.

n The Hagar Street, Richmond, home of Dave and Marilyn Tilton.