The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will sponsor a program about the benefits of solar power the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 10. The program will be held at 7 p.m. at the National Conservation Training Center outside Shepherdstown. It will be held in Room 151 of the Instructional West Building.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

The speaker will be Mike McKechnie, the President of Mountain View Solar, of Berkeley Springs. He will focus on the environmental implications of solar power, such as the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that have been offset through solar installations and use of electric vehicles.

Mike and his brother Pete discovered the power and benefits of solar energy during their time as green homebuilders in Berkeley Springs. In 2009 they decided to add renewable energy to their company’s portfolio and eventually did a full conversion from building homes to installing solar energy systems.

Mike has won several awards for his work throughout the state and continues to be a charismatic and passionate advocate for renewable energy and its job-creating potential.

In addition to his advocacy, he works as a consultant to an array of professionals and building owners involved in the green building industry.