Want To Make Energy Off the Grid?

WNC Renewable Energy Initiative Has a Course for You

Story by Kathleen McFadden

National solar thermal expert Chuck Marken will lead the Solar Water & Space Heating workshop at Appalachian on April 5 and 6. Photos courtesy of WNC Renewable Energy Initiative Alternative energy is the big buzz term these days, but how practical is it to create energy from the sun, wind and water? If you want to get up to speed on the current practices, products, prices and feasibility of creating your own energy, the Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative at Appalachian has a course—or two or three or four—just for you coming up this spring and summer.

According to Brent Summerville of the ASU Energy Center, most of the courses in the catalog run the gamut from 101-type basics to in-depth sourcing and installation, making the courses practical and applicable for just about everyone—from the average homeowner to people who want to build a green house to contractors to people who are thinking of going into the installation business.

“We want people to come because we want them to learn how to make their own energy,” Summerville said. “You don’t have to be an expert to come to any of the courses.”

Another practical reason to make the move now is the status of federal tax rebates. According to Summerville, state tax rebates for installing renewable energy systems are firmly in place for years to come, but federal tax rebates are currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2008. Although some action is taking place in Congress to extend the rebates, their renewal is not a certainty, “so now’s the time to act,” Summerville said, to take advantage of the federal tax credits.

A good reason to attend more than one of the WNC Renewable Energy Initiative courses, Summerville said, is to investigate more than one source of renewable energy. “We suggest having more than one charging source and not putting all your eggs in one basket,” Summerville said, “so you aren’t completely reliant on one energy source.” These courses can help you decide which eggs you want to put in your basket.

If you have questions about workshop registration, call the ASU Office of Conferences and Institutes at 828-262-2933.

If you have questions about any of the workshops, contact the WNC Renewable Energy Initiative office at wind@appstate.edu or 828-262-7333.

Solar Water & Space Heating—April 5 and 6

Participants in the Solar Water & Space Heating workshop will learn how to install solar water heating systems such as this one. The folks at the WNC Renewable Energy Initiative are excited about this workshop because the leader, Chuck Marken, is a national expert and the solar thermal editor for Home Power Magazine. He is a New Mexico licensed plumber, electrician and heating and air conditioning contractor who has installed and serviced solar thermal systems for almost 30 years. As if that’s not enough, he’s a solar thermal instructor for Solar Energy International and the University of Mexico.

Marken, who obviously knows what he’s doing, is making his debut appearance in Boone for this workshop.

Participants will learn how to design and construct solar water heating systems for both domestic hot water and space-heating needs.

The workshop will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, in Room 17 of Harper Hall at ASU, and the cost is $190 for the general public and $95 for students.

Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days.

Want To Go?

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Harper Hall, Room 17, ASUCost: $190

Small Scale Wind Energy—April 19 and 20

In the Small Scale Wind Energy workshop, participants will learn the basics of residential wind systems, and the hands-on portion of the workshop will involve a tour of the Beech Mountain wind turbines and installation of Southwest Windpower’s newest product, the Skystream 3.7—a fully integrated, utility-connected wind generator designed specifically for residential homes. This wind generator is clean, quiet and affordable.

These workshops also serve as dealer training for Southwest Windpower.

The workshop leaders are representatives Southwest Windpower. Steve Loritz is Southwest Windpower’s training manager. Jay Yeager is the company’s technical services manager. Throughout the years, Yeager has analyzed literally thousands of applications and participated in numerous installations of Southwest Windpower products for both field testing and consumer use. The knowledgeable staff of the NC Small Wind Initiative will also contribute to the training.

Workshop participants should bring gloves, hat, sunscreen, raingear, water bottle, camera and notepad, as well as warm clothes. Participants should dress in layers and wear good shoes for walking in various terrain.

The workshops will take place rain or shine: sometimes some of the best wind conditions are in the worst weather.

The workshop will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20, at the Wind Energy Research and Demonstration facility on Beech Mountain that features the full line of Southwest Windpower products, as well as other residential wind turbines on the market. The cost is $300 for the general public and $95 for students.

Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days.

Want To Go?

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Wind Energy Research & Demonstration Facility, Beech Mountain
Cost: $300

Photovoltaics—May 22 and 23

This course on making energy from the sun is a blend of classroom discussion and hands-on installation experience on simulated rooftops and is designed more for do-it-yourself types and contractors, rather than average homeowners.

Participants will follow a typical Sharp Solar installation step-by-step from specification to completion and receive a CD and technical manual that will serve as a highly effective field reference. Workshop participants will be able to put their new skills to work immediately for residential grid-tie installations.

The workshop leaders are representatives from Sharp Solar, the number one manufacturer of solar cells worldwide with nearly as much generating capacity as the next three largest manufacturers combined.

The workshop will be held on Thursday and Friday, May 22 and 23, in Room 178 of Harper Hall at ASU, and the cost is $190 for the general public and $95 for students.

Registration and breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. and the workshop is from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days.

Want To Go?

Dates: Thursday and Friday, May 22 and 23
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Harper Hall, Room 17, ASU
Cost: $190

More Renewable Energy Workshops on the Horizon

In addition to the WNC Renewable Energy Initiative’s April and May workshops, the schedule is full through October. For more info on any of these upcoming workshops, click to www.wind.appstate.edu/workshops/workshops.php, email wind@appstate.edu or call 828-262-7333.

June 20 to 21: Community-Scale Biodiesel Production
July 11 to 12: Domestic Solar Water Heating
August 27: PV and the National Electrical Code
October 4 to 5: Micro Hydro
October 18 to 19: Small Scale Wind Energy