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SolWest
2008 Sneak Preview
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Join us for SolWest Fair's big 10th anniversary
celebration July 25-27 at the grant County Fairgrounds in John Day!
Plans are underway for the best SolWest yet! Here's a sneak preview
of some of the great speakers and happenings we're planning for you:
Keynote
Address:
Greg
Pahl
author of
"The Citizen Powered Energy Handbook" |
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Greg provides an overview of an exciting and rapidly
growing new movement, "Community Supported Renewable
Energy." A time-tested and highly successful strategy in Europe,
community or cooperative ownership of local renewable energy projects
is finally gaining momentum in North America. It's an idea whose time
has definitely come, especially in light of the increasing price
volatility in the fossil fuel markets, concerns about energy
supplies, ongoing controversy about commercial-scale wind farms in
some locations, and growing alarm about global warming. Topics
covered include examples of successful initiatives, and the many
advantages of community-based energy, as well as some of the
obstacles that stand in the way of achieving greater community
control of energy resources.
Activities
at the Fair
Last year SolWest hosted 56 exhibitors and 2,400 participants.
We expect many exhibitors will again bring the hands-on and
interactive displays which kept so many viewers engaged in 2007.
Solar hot water, wind and solar electricity will again be produced by
working systems on the fairgrounds. You'll again find great buys on
RE gear and other donated items at our Silent Auction. Saturday is
always family day at SolWest, and our volunteer presenters are
planning new and exciting activities for children of all ages.
SolWest
is a Community
One of the best things about SolWest is the sense of warmth
and community that exists on the fairgrounds during the event. Many
people return to SolWest year after year, just for that wonderful
feeling. It's an annual homecoming, as SolWesters share their passion
for renewable living. New acquaintances and old are welcomed into our
circle of friends. Please spread the word about SolWest to your
friends, and help us add to the circle.
Volunteer
Now for SolWest
We couldn't do it without our wonderful volunteers. You help
make SolWest happen! Volunteers are a special group, and we really
show our appreciation. Get details on what help is needed and sign up
today by calling the EORenew office at 541-575-3633 or emailing
us.
Workshops
and More
As usual, SolWest will have over 50 workshops for young, old,
technically-knowledgeable and renewable newbies. Workshops will cover
the hardware, skills, and philosophy of sustainable living. Workshops
already scheduled include solar measurement and data logging, solar
cooking, solar hot water, electric vehicle options, passive solar
homes, and solar water pumping choices. All regular SolWest workshops
are free with fair entry.
In addition to the regular 1-hour workshops, we have three
extended pre-fair workshop for which advance signup is required:
2008
Pre-SolWest Workshops
Hands-on
Installation Workshop
Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday, July 22-24
This three-day workshop will install a 2-kW utility-intertied,
battery-backup, solar photovoltaic system. The system will
incorporate a pole-top mount, Midnite Solar MNBE-C-175 enclosure,
Outback GFX inverter, and an MPPT charge controller. The homeowner
intends to offset a portion of her utility bill through Net Metering,
and be prepared for utility outages with the eventual goal of being
able to rely on the system (along with the solar hot water installed
as a 2004 pre-SolWest workshop) to offset most of the home's power needs.
Instructor Kent Osterberg has 14 years experience working with
photovoltaic power systems installations, and is co-owner of Blue
Mountain Solar in Cove, Oregon. He holds Oregon Renewable Energy
Technician license #007LRT.
Download
the information and registration flyer.
Small
Wind Power for Homes, Farms, Business, and Schools
Thursday evening and Friday morning, July 24-25
Robert Preus of Abundant Renewable Energy will provide an
overview of wind power with an emphasis on small wind turbine
applications. Attendees will understand the fundamental
considerations of wind resource, wind turbine technology, and
economics. Participants will learn the basic steps of a successful
small wind project including system sizing, tower height,
micro-siting, and permitting. An overview of the current marketplace
will be given along with due-diligence questions useful for assessing
the maturity of new products entering the market.
"Building
a High Performance Home"
Friday morning, July 25
Christopher Dymond of the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE)
will cover the technical requirements and financial incentives
associated with building a home to Oregon's new High Performance Home
Tax Credit. Up to $12,000 from the state are available to the builder
of such a home. The Oregon HPH Standard requires both efficiency and
onsite renewable energy generation that can include one or more of
the following technologies: Passive Solar, Active Solar, Solar Water
Heating, Solar Photovoltaics, Geothermal, Wind, Other.
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New,
Better Business Member Benefits!
EORenew is offering new, better benefits to our business
members! The Board of Directors has voted to give all business
members a 10-word service/product listing in our web and fair program
directories. If you are a current business member, you may send your
listing to our office at info@solwest.org. It will be included in one
of our frequent updates.
SolWest
Passes for Business Members
Effective with this year's SolWest, all business members at
the $40 level will also receive two fair passes, and members at the
$100 level will receive three fair passes. Business members at the
$200 level will still receive five passes, ten at the $500 level.
Those at the $1,000 level and above may request any number of passes.
A business member's complimentary passes may be used by staff,
family, or given to your customers. If you would like extra SolWest
passes (beyond your complimentary passes), you may request coupons
from the SolWest office. We will then send you a pdf master for
printing, and we will bill you only when the coupons are turned in at SolWest.
Other
Business Benefits
One of EORenew's goals is to help small RE businesses get
started. If you have no web page, and you just want to have an online
presence so that people can find your business and know what services
you provide, please ask about member web pages. We do not do online
sales, but we can get your photos, contact info, and services list
out there for the world to see.
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Our funders and donors play a major role
in continuing our work of promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Who
are EORenew members?
RE manufacturers, distributors, and retail businesses
People in building trades (architects, electricians, contractors etc.)
Electric utilities
Local stores and service businesses
Professional individuals (all sorts, incl. public servants, financial
services, health care, consultants, bookkeepers, etc.)
Ranchers and farmers
Self-employed people (artisans, professional services, etc.)
Teachers and students
Retired people
Native American tribal organizations
Thanks to the following new and renewing business
members. Your support makes our programs possible:
AIEI, Eugene OR
Bonneville Power Administration, Portland OR
Century 21 Franklin Realty, John Day OR
Grant County Chamber of Commerce, John Day OR
groSolar!, Grants Pass OR
Hatfield's High Desert Ranch, Brothers OR
Hitney Solar Products, Inc., Chino Valley AZ
Home Power Magazine, Ashland OR
Jackson Oil, Inc., Canyon City OR
KJDY Radio, John Day OR
New York Life of Pendleton, Pendleton OR
Oregon Renewable Energy Center (OIT), Portland OR
Oregon Rural Action, La Grande OR
Prairie Drug and Hardware, Prairie City OR
REDI-Renewable Energy Development Int'l, Eugene OR
RightHand Engineering, Woodinville WA
Setanta Solar, Dallas OR
Silent Power, Baxter MN
The Blue Mountain Eagle, John Day OR
More thank-yous to...
Why
I support EORenew:
"I support EORenew because "renewable" is the only
viable future for human use of energy; we really have no other good
choices but to learn as much as we can about existing renewable
technologies." -- Kay Firor, chair, EORenew Board of Directors
"As the energy costs for the consumer increase, it is
imperative that the consumer is informed of the possible alternatives
to formulate a prudent decision about their energy alternatives."
-- Ken Primrose, EORenew Board of Directors
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Spring
'08