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Exhibitors,
Displays, and Activities at SolWest
You know that you'll always find hands-on and interactive displays at
SolWest, and this year should be no exception. As usual, we'll have
working systems on the fairgrounds producing solar hot water, wind
and solar electricity. You can expect to find great buys on RE gear
and other donated items at our Silent Auction. Saturday is family day
at SolWest, and our volunteer presenters are planning new and
exciting activities for children of all ages.
The
SolWest Community
Where else can you come and spend three days among people that care
so passionately about the same things that are important to you? The
energy among SolWest devotees is what's truly renewable! Whether it's
your first time, or you've been to every SolWest, you're welcome into
the SolWest circle! 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 at info@solwest.org.
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 "Passive Homes", clay plasters,
solar cooking, backyard wind generators, a home electric vehicle
conversion project, solar design, and simple solar water heaters. All
regular SolWest workshops are free with fair entry.
In addition to the regular 1-hour workshops, we have three
extended pre-fair workshops for which advance signup is required:
2009
Pre-SolWest Workshops
Hands-on:
Build a Cob Shelter by the Creek
Monday
July 20 through Friday noon, July 24
Construct a shelter out of cob and other earthen and natural
materials. The building will have architectural features including a
window, roof, built-in shelving, fireplace and bench. These features
will allow participants to see how a full-fledged cottage or home is
constructed. Issues and techniques to be covered include: mixing,
application, materials, test bricks, and how to connect cob to other
parts of a structure. Lectures and labs will cover foundation,
drainage, siting, passive solar, bale cob (a hybrid of insulation and
thermal mass), roofs, and tools.
Instructor: Natural builder Bernhard Masterson fuses a deep
commitment to sustainable systems and a rich sense of aesthetics to
create unique living environments. Trained as a sculptor and educator
Bernhard has become skilled in alternative waste systems, water
management, Rocket Stoves, earth ovens and Rumford fireplaces.
Bernhard is a positive and insightful teacher who derives deep
satisfaction from empowering others to pursue their visions.
Download
registration form for cob building workshop.
Solar
Electric System Design, Theory, and Practice
Tuesday
through Thursday, July 21-23, test Friday morning
This class is structured to prepare participants to take the North
American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Entry-level
Certification exam. The certification allows individuals to meet some
of the technical requirements of the Oregon Department of Energy's
Tax Credit Certified Technician (TCCT) program. Those seeking TCCT
status will need to attend an additional state-sponsored training on
specific program requirements. The NABCEP Entry Level certification
will be granted to those who successfully participate in the course
and pass the two-hour, 60-question exam that will be administered at
the end of the course.
Instructors: Ryan Mayfield is a NABCEP Certified PV Installer who
currently teaches PV courses at Lane Community College in Eugene,
Oregon, and is the founder and principal of Renewable Energy
Associates, a consulting, design and educational firm focused on
photovoltaics, small wind and micro-hydro projects. Kyle Bolger has
been teaching Solar Design and Installation courses with Solar Energy
International for more than three years throughout the United States,
and is an accredited Institute For Sustainable Power Quality
certified PV instructor. He holds an Oregon Limited Renewable Energy
Technician license, and is the founder and president of Sunflower
Energy Solutions, Inc of Bend.
Download
registration form for solar electric workshop.
Hands-on:
SolWest Solar Hot System
Friday
July 24, 9am-1pm
Workshop Description: In classroom and hands-on sessions, students
will install the solar hot water system that heats the showers for
SolWest Fair. The system consists of a 56 square foot collector, a
120-gallon solar storage tank with built in double-wall heat
exchanger, and a 30-watt photovoltaic module which powers the 12 volt
DC pump that circulates the fluid when the sun is shining on the
panel. The classroom session will cover an overview of system types,
theory, selection and design of solar hot water systems. The seminar
is open to people interested in all aspects of solar hot water.
Instructor: John Patterson started Mr. Sun in 1980. Since then he has
installed over 1,300 solar water heaters, solar pool heaters and
photovoltaic systems, and serviced thousands more. He has extensive
thermal systems engineering experience, as well as a thorough
knowledge of manufacturing and production processes.
Download
registration form for solar hot water workshop.
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Scholarships for all these classes may be
available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Please inquire. |
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Donations
of goods and services to EORenew multiply our capabilities many
times over.
Over the years, many EORenew members have responded to our wishlists
and requests for help. We've received furniture, computer stuff,
professional services, and assistance with web research and office
projects. Without these donations of goods and services, our small
budget would be stretched even further than it already is! We'd
really appreciate it if you could take a look around your
home/office, and see if there is stuff just gathering dust that we
can use to help in our mission of promoting renewable energy
education and implementation.
Have you upgraded your computer system recently? If you had to buy
all-new software (rather than an upgrade), you do not have to keep
your old software. You can give it (with its licenses) to EORenew. We
are operating on Windows 2000/XP, and the list of software we would
like to have can be found on page 11.
How about computer hardware? If you no longer need your old USB DVD
drive, or have a small-footprint laser printer gathering dust, we'd
be happy to arrange pickup or shipping to our office.
Have you got a little spare time, and a fast Internet connection?
I've posted the SolWest dates on fifty events calendars, but they
need to be checked and verified. Just ask, and I will send you the
URL list! If you are near John Day, we've got a few small office jobs
and some photo projects that we'd love to have some help with (tea
and a sunny office space provided).
Just call, and find out how easy it is to earn a great, big Thank
You! |
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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
Blue Mountain Eagle, John Day OR
Bonneville Power Administration, Portland OR
Dan Antonioli Construction, Oakland CA
DC Dynamics/SE Marine, Scappoose OR
Earthtoys/Hometoys Inc, San Diego CA
Eastern OR Prof Services Inc., Mt. Vernon OR
Energy Trust of Oregon, Portland OR
Hitney Solar Products Inc, Chino Vallay AZ
Home Power Magazine, Ashland OR
Jackson Oil Inc, Canyon City OR
KJDY Radio, John Day OR
New York Life of Pendleton, Pendleton OR
NEEI/Lane CC, Eugene OR
Oregon Institute of Technology/OREC, Portland OR
Peaceful Economics, Idaho Falls ID
Prairie Drug & Hardware, Prairie City OR
RightHand Engineering, Woodinville WA
SR Design Consulting Inc, Beaverton OR
Solar Assist, Eugene OR
More thank-yous to...
Like
most nonprofit organizations, EORenew owes
much of its funding to your generous donations. Contributions above
value received ($15 for our newsletter) are eligible for deduction
from your taxable income as charitable donation.
Every dollar you donate frees up valuable funding for our renewable
energy education, information, and energy service programs! We accept
donations designated for specific programs. You may also make a
donation through your local United Way. Please consider EORenew when
making your charitable donation decisions for 2008.
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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