Gloucester and Mathews homes that use solar and wind power and other energy-saving and environmentally friendly features will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 during the Hampton Roads Solar Home Tour.

Sponsored by the nonprofit Hampton Roads Solar Group, the self-guided tour is free, but registration is required in order to receive directions and other information. Sign up at http://2013hrsolartour.eventbrite.com.

Three Gloucester homes, two Mathews homes, and the methane conversion plant at the Gloucester landfill will all be part of the tour, along with nearly two dozen other sites on the Peninsula, Southside and the Eastern Shore.

This will be the first time that Cappahosic resident Dr. William Dodson has participated in the tour. After six years of working with Gloucester County officials to make it possible to install a wind turbine on his waterfront property, including co-establishing and serving on the Go Green Gloucester Advisory Committee, ...