Everybody, it seems, talks a pretty big game when it comes to energy efficiency and green power. But Donckers and The Delft Bistro owner Tom Vear has actually done something about it, putting his own money in as the principle part of a financing package to install dozens of solar panels to help power both businesses, which are located in Marquette’s downtown.

These panels — and there are nearly 60 of them — are expected to generate around 19,000-kilowatt hours annually, which should cover 35 to 40 percent of the two businesses’ energy consumption.

“It just made sense to do it,” Vear said, as the rooftops are “very sun-friendly areas.”

To help offset the project’s $60,000 cost, Vear applied for, and was awarded, an $11,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program. The balance of the money was his own.

Vear noted the installation of the panels is only the latest move he and the people that work for him in the two businesses have taken to help preserve the earth. “We try to be as green and as efficient as we can,” he said.

He makes a point of encouraging other businesses to consider the solar option, observing there are “roofs all around the downtown that are pretty good” for solar panels.

It’s a point well taken. Solar, wind or any of the green energy technologies aren’t going to put fossil fuels out of business — yet. But, without a doubt, the sun is setting on the age of oil and its many derivatives. Smart people like Tom Vear know that and are ahead of the curve.