The Solar Flare

E-Bulletin from the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society

 

May 2007

 

In this issue:

• Free MREA Fair Entry!
• Solar Power Your Next Event
• FREE: Learn how to build your own solar thermal collector
• MREA courses now in Minnesota!
• 30% off sale on Solar Energy
• Photos from the Global Warming Day of Action
• PV breaks the 40% barrier

 

We Need You!

Calling All Volunteers

Volunteer slots are still available for this weekend's Living Green Expo on the Minnesota State Fair Grounds and for the upcoming Solar Boat Regatta on May 19 ^th at Phalen Lake. No experience needed: on-site training provided. Just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to help spread the word about renewable energy.

 

Also needed are volunteers to staff the booth at the MREA Fair, June 15-17, in Custer, WI. Volunteers for the MREA fair will receive free entry into the fair! For more information on any of these volunteer opportunities, email: info@MNRenewables.org or call Doug at: 612-308-4757.

 

Member Resources

Solar Power Your Next Event

Did you know that the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society has a Power Trailer that is available for rent for your next event? This handy trailer provides on-site solar electric power for concerts, lighting, or simply demonstration. Great for community picnics, outdoor weddings, and educational events. See www.mnrenewable.org and click on calendar to check 2007 available dates or call 612-308-4757 for more information.

 

Attend an upcoming MRES Committee Meeting

Come join MRES this week for the Events Committee meeting (6 pm Tuesday) and Outreach Committee meeting (rescheduled to 6:30 pm Thursday) or future weeks this month for the Advocacy, Curriculum and Training, or Finance Committee meetings. For a complete list of dates and times, visit: http://www.MNRenewables.org/events/index.php

 

Presenters available.  Would your school, church or civic group like to learn more about renewable energy and/or conservation?  Contact MRES for a list of presentations and to check availability of the presenters.

 

Upcoming Events

May 5^th – 6^th: Living Green Expo

Are you looking for a free event to gather lots of information and knowledge? Then visit us and hundreds of other organizations at the annual Living Green Expo at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds, May 5 ^th & 6^th. To learn more visit: www.livinggreenexpo.org. Also, volunteers are still needed. To learn more, email Michelle at info@MNRenewables.org

 

May 10^th : Special Guest, Kenneth Clive – Build Your Own Solar Heating System

Join us this month as Kenneth Clive shares how an average do-it-yourselfer can build his or her own solar heating system! Kenneth will also have copies of his book Build Your Own Solar Heating System on sale (on Amazon for $29.95) for only $15. Clive's presentation will precede the board meeting on May 10 ^th at 6:00 pm at Flannery Construction, St. Paul. To RSVP, call Doug at 612-308-4757.

 

Note: The June member presentation and Board meeting has been rescheduled to June 21 ^st due to the Renewable Energy Fair. Save the date and learn more about the controversial new "Citizenre" program available in Minnesota. See the next issue of the Solar Flare for more details.

 

May 19^th: Solar Boat Race (Regatta!)

Come join us for the 15 ^th annual Solar Boat Competition, Saturday, May 19, 2007, at Phalen Lake Park in St. Paul, MN and watch student groups from across Minnesota utilize their knowledge, ingenuity, and creativity in powering their boats using only solar energy. For more information visit: www.MNRenewables.org/events/solarregatta/index.php

 

June 15^th-17^th: Renewable Energy & Sustainable Living Fair

Come join us at the world's largest renewable energy fair this summer! The renewable energy and sustainable living fair is located outside of Stevens Point, WI. For more information, visit: www.the-mrea.org. To volunteer to staff the MRES booth (and get in free), visit: www.MNRenewables.org or email: info@MNRenewables.org

 

Renewable Energy Classes

Save the Date for Upcoming Courses in Solar and Wind Energy:

In conjunction with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), MRES will be offering the following courses in Minnesota. Sign up for courses will begin soon once locations are established. Watch the website and future Solar Flare's for more information:

• Solar PV 101 and Site Assessor Training – September 22 & 23, 2007
• Solar Domestic Hot Water 101 & Solar Hot Water Site Assessor Training - August 11 & 12, 2007
• Wind Site Assessor Training - Dec 3-7, 2007
• Wind 101 – Date To Be Determined

 

Advocate for Renewable Energy

TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO BACK FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR SOLAR AND WIND POWER:
    
1) Bill HR. 550 (Senate: S. 590), would make solar energy much more affordable -- in some places, cheaper than buying electricity from the grid. It extends the 30% federal investment tax credit (currently set to expire at the end of 2008) for another 8 years, modifies the distributed photovoltaics incentive to $1500 per half-kW of capacity and removes the $2000 residential cap. As the folks at the Vote Solar Initiative say, "Think of it as a 30%-off sale for solar."
 

For more information go to:     
<http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/votesolar/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=6766&t=ActionAlert.dwt>
    
2) The "Rural Wind Energy Development Act " (also S. 673 in the Senate) would provide $1,500 per one-half kilowatt of capacity for small wind systems.  This bill would provide credits for the installation of wind energy property, including installation by rural homeowners, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses, and for other purposes.
    
To contact your Representative and share your thoughts on legislation that will support renewable energy, click on this link: <http://capwiz.com/windenergy/issues/alert/?alertid=9594816>

or call 202-224-3121

Inform your representatives of your support for renewable energy today!

 

Photos from Global Warming Day of Action

        

 

News from ASES (American Solar Energy Society)

PV breaks the 40% barrier!  A Boeing subsidiary, Spectrolab, Inc., claims to have produced a concentrator PV cell that has reached a record breaking 40.7% conversion efficiency.   A concentrator PV cell is one that uses a lens to focus or concentrate the sun's rays on the cell, creating a greater power potential, but also creating a lot of heat that can cause problems.

New Wind Turbine wins award.  Southwest Windpower's Sky Stream 3.7 wind turbine won an award as the 2006 Popular Science Best New Product in the home division.  The Sky Stream is an all-in-one wind turbine design with the inverter built right in so that the user can just connect and use.  Their web site - www.skystreamenergy.com contains great information and links for the homeowner trying to determine whether their site is suitable for small wind power.

New ASES report demonstrates that conservation and renewables can meet needed carbon reduction goals.  A new report by the American Solar Energy Society entitled "Tackling Climate Change in the U.S." contains peer reviewed papers submitted for last year's ASES conference. Together, these papers show that a combination of energy efficiency and existing renewable technologies could result in carbon emission reductions of 1.2 billion metric tons by 2030.  Download a summary or the complete report at www.ases.org.

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