Looking for Wind / Solar workshops:

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in General Solar Power Topics #1
Anyone know of some good wind / solar workshops in the United States?

I only know of SEI.

Thanks.

Simon
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #2
    Re: Looking for Wind / Solar workshops:

    If you are near Northern California:

    http://www.solarliving.org/

    What are you looking for? To be honest, I got more practical information here (and on another forum) about solar than I did visiting their facility (I did not take the classes--I just browsed around).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #3
    Re: Looking for Wind / Solar workshops:

    Hi Bill.

    I am on the east coast (Maryland).

    CA is a bit far though it is good to know that there are other organizations giving workshops.

    I need a crash course on wind and solar panels.

    I am also looking for local experts in the Maryland area but have not had much luck yet.

    Simon
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  • crewzer
    crewzer Registered Users, Solar Expert Posts: 1,832 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Looking for Wind / Solar workshops:

    Simon,

    I only know of SEI ( http://www.solarenergy.org/ ). You might try Home Power (www.homepower.com) and see what info their site has to offer. It might be helpful to download their sample magazine and peruse the ads.

    Depending on where you are in MD, I may be able to help you with your solar energy requirements and design -- I'm in northern VA.

    Regards,
    Jim / crewzer
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #5
    Re: Looking for Wind / Solar workshops:

    My name is Simón Zimmer. My family and I recently started a non-profit organization called Aguayuda, Inc.. Our goal is to improve the standard of living in poor rural communities in developing countries by providing appropriate and sustainable water purification technology, water committee training and workshops for the community with emphasis on proper water sanitation and hygiene practices. Recently, we visited Colombia, South America and found two possible projects. The one project would require wind / solar energy to run our water purification system.

    Though I am an electrical engineer and our technical director is a chemical engineer, we have no hands-on experience in the field of renewable energies. We are based in Easton, Maryland and looking for renewable energy experts in the area.

    Depending on your interest and desire, it would be interesting to meet with you and discuss renewable energy (Solar / Wind) in relation to our upcoming project.

    It is important to note that this would be strictly volunteer work. To learn more about Aguayuda, Inc. you can view our homepage at:

    www.aguayuda.org

    Look forward to hearing from you soon.

    Best regards,


    Simon
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  • crewzer
    crewzer Registered Users, Solar Expert Posts: 1,832 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Looking for Wind / Solar workshops:

    Simon,

    I presently have precious little time available for significant volunteer work. However, I’ll see what I can do via this forum to help you get started with learning more about solar energy in general as well as specifying a system for your Columbian project.

    A place to start might be to order SEI’s Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual. This is the textbook used in SEI’s PV Design and Installation workshops, and it’s available from SEI’s bookstore or from Amazon. I consider it to be a good introductory design manual, but it’s missing meaningful content on advanced design concepts such as MPPT controllers and battery recharging efficiency.

    Local hands-on training appears to be difficult to find in our area. Appalachian State University (Boone, NC) and the North Carolina Solar Center (Raleigh, NC) both appear to offer training and/or workshops.

    See: http://asuses.net/get_involved.shtml
    and: http://www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/about/our_capabilities.cfm

    I’d also recommend a subscription to Home Power magazine ( www.homepower.com ). They cover PV energy, solar water pumping, solar water heating, and wind energy.

    Additionally, there’s a considerable amount of design data available on the internet. For example, here’s a link to horizontal insolation data for South America: http://www.apricus.com/html/insolation_levels_sth_am.htm

    So, how did you decide on a 1.2 kW (6 x 200 W) PV array?

    Regards,
    Jim / crewzer
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