Canton Solar Home Is Scene of CPTV Energy Show

Actor Ed Asner and homeowner Judi Friedman stand in front of the Friedmans' photovoltaic panels. Judi is chairperson of People's Action for Clean Energy.

When Lou and Judi Friedman decided to install 40 solar panels in their Canton backyard, they never dreamed it would bring Ed Asner to their home. Asner, the former Lou Grant of the popular Mary Tyler Moore Show and the winner of seven Emmy awards, was there last month to narrate Connecticut’s Energy Future.

The five-part series, an original Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) production, will explore the issues surrounding the current energy situation, as well as renewable energy technologies and conservation methods. New sources of energy are on the horizon that could change the way we power not only our homes, but our cars, appliances and electronic gadgets.

Presented by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund with supporting sponsorship from SmartPower Connecticut and additional funding from by Bridgewater Solar Works, the series began in January. That overview examined our nation’s dependency on fossil fuels and issues surrounding global warming, nuclear power, natural gas pipelines and vulnerability to terrorism.

Part two of the series, slated to air on Tuesday, February 18 at 10 p.m. (with a repeat airing on Saturday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m.), will explain the energy options that could be part of the state’s energy mix. These include wind, solar, biomass and hydropower.

Producer/ Director Jennifer Boyd has planned three additional episodes for airing this spring. In April, part three of the series will look at transportation issues and the potential for a future "hydrogen economy." In May, part four will highlight "green" building and "green" living, showing techniques for building a "green" home (from geothermal heating to recycled flooring) and simple, cost-saving ways to "green" existing homes. The final episode of the series in June will focus on successful role models that Connecticut might emulate. These include towns, states and countries already working vigorously to reduce greenhouse gases while maintaining a high quality of life for their citizens.