This Saturday (September 21st), you’re invited to take the West Seattle Solar Tour – nine installations open to the public between 11 am and 2 pm, part of the citywide solar tour (see the Google Map here).

And while no doubt all the stops will be interesting, one will be extra special, a tribute to a young West Seattleite gone too soon, Ben Huppe. His dad Bob Huppe explains:

Our son, Ben, designed this installation before his untimely death last summer in an auto accident (reported here).

Following his death, we had the solar panels installed before his memorial service as a tribute to his dedication to alternative energy. Here is a picture of him from last summer at a solar energy fair on Vashon Island, where he was working for Artisan Electric:

Our small solar installation made over 60% of our electrical energy over the last year. It will fully pay itself off within 7 years and then still will increase my home value at resale. This would be as if your kitchen remodel could generate money to pay for itself while you were living there.

Here’s the map for Saturday’s West Seattle tour stops – you’ll see Bob Huppe’s home listed on 46th SW.