The Solar Flare
E-Bulletin from the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society
July 2007
June 2007 Highlights:
Upcoming Events
July 12th , 6-7 pm
Zero Energy, Zero Emissions, Zero Impact: Integration of renewable energy in Sustainable Architecture
Presenter: Loren Abraham, Abraham
Architects
Location: Flannery Construction, 1375
St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul,
MN
Cost: Free
Loren Abraham , AIA, LEED AP, Abraham Architects, will present innovative approaches to achieving energy self-sufficiency in architecture and industrial design. Current projects reviewed will include a zero energy – zero impact home, a solar hydrogen powered 65' catamaran emergency response vessel dubbed the "Ark Angel," the Brookdale Resource Library, several green roof projects and others. Cradle to cradle concepts for material and product design will also be discussed. To RSVP, call Doug at: 612-308-4757
August 11th -12th, 9:00-5:00 pm
Solar Hot Water Basics Workshop August 11th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Solar Hot Water Site Assessor Training August 12th, 9:00 am -- 5:00 pm
Instructor: Bob Ramlow
Location: Flannery Construction, St. Paul
Cost: $99 - August 11; $125 – August 12
Learn how to use the sun's energy for domestic uses: showers, sinks, clothes washer. A household can save 50% or more in energy costs annually, by incorporating a SDHW system. These systems are easy to install and often pay for themselves in energy savings in just a few years. This class provides an overview of a variety of system types.
Solar Hot Water Basics will be taught on Sat 11Aug, with the following day dedicated to Solar Hot Water Site Assessor training. Sign up now for one or both days! Find out more at: www.MNRenewables.org/events/classes/index.php
August 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm
Basics of Solar Energy Training
Instructor: Mario Monesterio
Location: Libby Conference Center, Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Cost: Free to Eco-Experience Solar Area volunteers, $15 for non-volunteers
Want to learn more about solar power? Join us for a two hour workshop and tour of the space following the training to develop your skills and knowledge prior to the Fair and to gain insight into renewable energy, solar energy technology, regulations and codes, and fun facts about the solar displays at The Eco Experience. This training is provided free of charge for volunteers.
August 23rd – September 3rd, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm each day
Eco Experience
Location: Minnesota State Fair Grounds
Cost: Free to Volunteers, $9.00-$12.00 for visitors
MRES will again be coordinating the Solar Area and are looking for enthusiastic volunteers. In exchange for volunteering, you will receive training, free entry into the state fair for the day, and a great t-shirt. Please check out: http://www.MNRenewables.org/events/ecoexperience/index.php and email us at info@MNRenewables.org for more information on volunteer and sponsor opportunities; For more information, visit: www.ecoexperience.org .
Getting Involved:
Did you know that the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society is run by volunteers like yourself? Renewable energy advocates, educators, homeowners, installers and enthusiasts come together to provide unbiased information and access to resources to all Minnesotans interested in renewable energy. Are you interested in learning more about renewable energy? Sharing your depth of knowledge? Or simply being part of this growing movement? Then we invite you to get involved. There is no long term commitment needed. Simply come to a meeting, give us a call, or volunteer for an event. We need your support & invite you to get involved.
EXTENDED OUTREACH: MRES is working towards two major goals of becoming a carbon neutral organization and reaching greater Minnesota. One method we are experimenting with by establishing conference calls for various meetings. This week, for instance, the Events Committee will meet via phone, saving you time, money, and fossil fuels. We hope you will join us in our efforts! Simply call in to the number listed and then enter the code once prompted. That's it!
Committee Meetings: call to confirm meetings at: 612-308-4757
Events Committee – Tuesday evening phone call (tonight!): dial - 1-785-686-2400 and enter code: 40742
Outreach – cancelled for July
Board Meeting –July 12th , 6:00-7:00 pm speaker, 7:00-9:00 pm meeting, Flannery Construction
Finance – July 16th, phone call 612-308-4757 to be included prior to the meeting.
Curriculum/Training – July 17th, 6:00-8:00 pm, Innovative Power Systems
National News from ASES
Two European companies have
built wind turbine blade manufacturing facilities in the midwest: LM
Glasfiber, a Danish company, in Grand Forks, ND with 500 jobs and Siemens Corp.
a German company, in Fort
Madison IA with up to 200
jobs.
The U.S. led the world in wind
energy installations last year with 2,434 MW, but, on a per capita basis, many
other countries installed much more.
Silicon production is on the
increase and substantial growth is seen between now and 2010, with most of the
increased capacity going to solar electric panels while
semiconductor demand for computers, etc stays fairly level.
A survey of
pv installation companies revealed their top equipment picks to be: SunPower
(USA), SANYO (Japan), and Suntech Power Holdings ( China) for panels and KACO
(Germany) and Outback (USA) for inverters.
On the cutting edge:
Researchers at Rice University revealed a breakthrough in creating cadmium
selenide quantum dots, which could lead to better, cheaper solar
panels.
Thank You!
~MRES has new presence at MREA Fair~
A huge thank you goes out to the volunteers that came to the MREA Fair and volunteered at the MRES booth. Catherine, Jan, Doug, David, Tom, Roger, Joe, and Michelle – thank you for your time and expertise through the sun and the rain in spreading the word about MRES and renewable energy in Minnesota!
The Solar Flare is a monthly service brought to you by the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society. To submit information for consideration of inclusion or to unsubscribe email: info@MNRenewables.org