2009 Energy Workshop Series

Solar Hot Water, October 25

Considering installing Solar Hot Water in your home? This is the workshop for you. The workshop will teach you the fundamentals of solar collector systems for heating domestic hot water. Incentives and rebates that help make these systems affordable and the payback period on energy savings will be explored.

Jeff Benz brings over 30 years of expertise in Solar and Renewable Heating installing his first system in 1977. He has been a consistent leader in the industry and has continued to help people understand how conventional and renewable energy systems are used to heat water for daily domestic hot water & space heating systems.

Residential Solar Electric (PV), November 14

This workshop is for the curious and the experienced solar power user. The class will cover the basics of residential sized, grid-tied photovoltaic solar systems. Attendees will learn the basics of designing a system, including the cost of installation and the incentives and rebates available to help offset the cost.

Instructor Dennis Pottratz, of GoSolar, is Iowa's first nationally certified photovoltaic installer (NABCEP). Since starting business in 1996, Dennis has designed and installed more than 100 working systems. Dennis is a frequent workshop presenter for I-Renew and a recognized expert in solar design and installation.

All workshops will take place from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at:
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
120 E. Boyson Road
Hiawatha, IA 52233-1277

Cost: $110 for I-Renew members and $160 for non-members, including lunch prepared by Prairiewoods.
To register, download the registration form, email us at irenew@irenew. org or call (319) 338-1076.

Residential Wind Workshop, December 12

Attendees will leave this workshop with the working knowledge to evaluate if residential wind is a realistic option to fill all or part of their residential energy needs. Leave knowing if your site is right for wind energy, size, wind patterns etc. Learn how to size and select a wind turbine. Evaluate which turbine to purchase and learn how the turbine is installed. Instructor James McCain will also talk about wind energy incentives, grants, and tax incentives available to users of wind energy.

McCain received his CERET degree from Madison Area Technical College. He has attended MREA and SEI's training workshops as well as other product specific training programs. He is the owner of Innovative Kinetics, a Des Moines company that specializes in small wind energy systems.

Prairiewoods Hands-on Solar Energy Workshop

Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18
Rain dates: July 30 - Saturday, August 1
9:00 am - 4:00 pm each day
120 E. Boyson Road
Hiawatha, IA 52233

This three-day workshop will provide information about and experience in installing solar panels to generate electricity. It will include hands-on exposure to assembling pole-mounted solar racks, installing solar modules and wiring of the entire system including modules, disconnects, inverters and grid tie. Approximately half the class time will be in the classroom learning how solar energy works. Classroom instruction includes basics of how solar energy works and an overview of the hands-on activities, including basic electricity, design process and safety. The class is geared towards grid-tied systems without batteries as the most cost effective method of using solar electricity.

Dennis Pottratz, of GoSolar is the instructor for this workshop. Iowa's first nationally certified photovoltaic installer, Dennis has designed and installed more than 100 working solar systems. Dennis and GoSolar are recognized industry leaders in solar design and installation.

Workshop fee: $250 for first person from a family, business or organization, $200 for each additional person.
Lodging is available for $45 per night at Prairiewoods.
Call Prairiewoods for more information and to register at (319) 395-6700.