2009 Renewable Energy Workshops
Please join us for these exciting workshops in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.
The Southern Appalachian region contains abundant and readily available wind, solar, and microhydro resources for producing home-grown, clean, and renewable energy. The Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative (WNCREI) is an Appalachian State University Energy Center (ASUEC) project dedicated to helping create a sustainable energy future for our region.
Workshops
The WNCREI is proud to host the 2009 workshop series to empower groups and individuals with the tools and resources to pursue wind, solar, microhydro and alternative fuel technologies for energy independence. We have partnered with national leaders to bring you the most comprehensive educational and hands-on experience possible.
- July 27 – 31, Monday - Friday: NABCEP Entry Level PV Course
- August 22, Saturday: Solar Thermal with Brian Raichle
- August 26, Wednesday: PV and the National Electric Code with John Wiles
- September 12, Saturday: Small Wind with Brent Summerville
- September 18-20 and October 2-4, Friday evenings through Sundays: NABCEP Entry Level PV Course (full workshop includes both weekends) $750
- September 26 & 27, Saturday & Sunday: Solar Thermal with Chuck Marken
Week-Long NABCEP Entry Level PV Course
Monday, July 27 – Friday, July 31, 2009
This workshop is currently full. Please consider the two-weekend course listed below that is scheduled for September 18-20 and October 2-4.
This week-long workshop will introduce participants to the basic concepts, tools, techniques and materials needed to design and construct both battery charging and direct grid tie photovoltaic systems. The course will focus on the key competencies addressed in the NABCEP Entry level PV certification test and will include the test on the last day of the workshop. The NABCEP Entry Level PV installer certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which PV installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. (Meals are on your own.)
Where: Campus of Appalachian State University, Kerr Scott/Harper Hall, Room 178
Schedule: Registration: 8:30am on Monday; Workshop: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $750 ($375 for students)
Max Participants: 35
- Kerr Scott/Harper Hall has limited parking, but the Rivers Street parking deck is just next door.
- Lodging info can be found at www.visitboonenc.com.
- A convenient on-campus option is the Broyhill Inn, (828) 262-2204, (800) 951-6048, www.broyhillinn.com
- Weather forecast: www.booneweather.com/Forecast/Boone
- Maps and directions: maps.appstate.edu
Solar Thermal/Solar Water Heating
With Brian Raichle
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Participants will learn how to design and construct solar water heating systems for domestic hot water needs. Now is the time for solar energy with excellent NC State and Federal Tax credits.
Where: Campus of Appalachian State University, Kerr Scott/Harper Hall, Room 178
Schedule: Registration/Breakfast 8:30am; Workshop 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $150 ($75 students)
Max Participants: 75
- Kerr Scott/Harper Hall has limited parking, but the Rivers Street parking deck is just next door.
- Lodging info can be found at www.visitboonenc.com.
- A convenient on-campus option is the Broyhill Inn, (828) 262-2204, (800) 951-6048, www.broyhillinn.com
- Weather forecast: www.booneweather.com/Forecast/Boone
- Maps and directions: maps.appstate.edu
PV and the National Electrical Code
With John Wiles of the Southwest Technology Development Institute
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A thorough knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) is required to competently install any electrical power system, including PV systems, in the United States. Participants will learn how to install a Code-compliant PV system and receive critical information on the latest installation techniques that are being used by the top installers and systems integrators throughout the country. Come learn about the new 2008 NEC code.
Workshop leader: John Wiles is a leading expert on the National Electric Code (NEC) and PV installations and the author of the "Code Corner" column in Home Power Magazine and "Perspectives" on PV in the IAEI News. He has a contract with the US Department of Energy to provide engineering support to the PV industry and to provide that industry, electrical contractors, electricians, and electrical inspectors with a focal point for code issues related to PV systems. John serves as Secretary for an NFPA-appointed Task Group involved with Article 690 of the NEC. Over 30 submissions were accepted for the 2008 NEC and over 50 submissions were submitted for the 2011 code. He drafted the text for Article 690 in the 2005 NEC Handbook. Fieldwork involves balance of systems design for PV systems, inspections and acceptance testing of PV systems, test and evaluation of PV components, and the design and installation of data acquisition systems. John bought his first codebook in 1960 and installed his first PV system in 1984. He has lived in an off-grid, PV/wind-powered home (permitted and inspected, of course) with his wife Patti, two dogs, and a cat for more than 16 years. His current home has a 5 kW utility-interactive PV system with full house battery backup.
8 hours of continuing education credits for NC licensed electrical contractors. 6 hours of NABCEP continuing education credits for PV professionals.
Where: Campus of Appalachian State University, Broyhill Inn
Schedule: Registration/Breakfast 7:30am; Workshop 8:00am – 5:00pm
Cost: $150 ($75 students)
Max Participants: 110
- Kerr Scott/Harper Hall has limited parking, but the Rivers Street parking deck is just next door.
- Lodging info can be found at www.visitboonenc.com.
- A convenient on-campus option is the Broyhill Inn, (828) 262-2204, (800) 951-6048, www.broyhillinn.com
- Weather forecast: www.booneweather.com/Forecast/Boone
- Maps and directions: maps.appstate.edu
Small Scale Wind Energy, Saturday, September 12th
With Brent Summerville
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
This workshop will be held at our Wind Energy Research & Demonstration facility in Beech Mountain, NC, where we feature a variety of the residential wind turbines on the market. Participants will learn how to evaluate wind resources, estimate annual energy output and about the range of residential wind systems in the marketplace today. The hands-on portion of the workshop will involve a tour of the Beech Mountain wind turbines and work on individual turbines.
Where: Small Wind Energy Research & Demonstration Site, Beech Mountain, NC; Check in at the Pinnacle Inn Conference Room near the pool
Schedule: Registration/Breakfast 8:30am; Workshop 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $150 ($75 for students)
Max Participants: 20
- If you can, please bring: gloves, hat, sunscreen, raingear, water bottle, camera, notepad, etc. Bring warm clothes, dress in layers and wear good shoes for walking in various terrain.
- For convenience, we recommend making a reservation at the Pinnacle Inn, which is located directly next to the Research & Demonstration Site. (800) 405-7888, (828) 387-2231, www.pinnacleinnresort.com. Other accommodations and are info can be found at www.beechmountain.com
- You may also camp at the wind site for free. This is primitive camping, no bathrooms or hook-ups, only grass, trees and wind turbines.
- The workshop will take place rain or shine: sometimes some of the best wind conditions are in the worst weather.
- Door to door directions can be found using www.maps.yahoo.com using a destination address of Pinnacle Inn Road, Beech Mountain, NC, 28604
- Weather forecast: www.averyweather.com/Forecast/Beech+Mountain
2 Weekend NABCEP Entry Level PV Course
Friday Evening, Saturday & Sunday, September 18, 19 & 20, 2009
Friday Evening, Saturday & Sunday, October 2, 3 & 4, 2009
This two weekend workshop will introduce participants to the basic concepts, tools, techniques and materials needed to design and construct both battery charging and direct grid tie photovoltaic systems. The course will focus on the key competencies addressed in the NABCEP Entry level PV certification test and will include the test on the last day of the workshop. The NABCEP Entry Level PV installer certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of national standards by which PV installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from their competition. (Meals are on your own.)
Where: Campus of Appalachian State University, Kerr Scott/Harper Hall
Schedule: Friday Evening 6:00 – 9:00pm; Saturday: 8:00am – 5:00pm; and Sunday 9:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: $750 ($375 for students)
Max Participants: 35
- Kerr Scott/Harper Hall has limited parking, but the Rivers Street parking deck is just next door.
- Lodging info can be found at www.visitboonenc.com.
- A convenient on-campus option is the Broyhill Inn, (828) 262-2204, (800) 951-6048, www.broyhillinn.com
- Weather forecast: www.booneweather.com/Forecast/Boone
- Maps and directions: www.maps.appstate.edu
Solar Thermal/Solar Water Heating
With Chuck Marken
Saturday & Sunday, September 26th & 27th, 2009
Participants will learn how to design and construct solar water heating systems for both domestic hot water and space heating needs. Now is the time for solar energy with excellent NC State and Federal Tax credits.
Workshop leader: Chuck Marken is the solar thermal editor for Home Power Magazine and is a New Mexico licensed plumber, electrician, and heating & air conditioning contractor. He has been installing and servicing solar thermal systems for close to 30 years. He is a solar thermal instructor for Solar Energy International and the University of Mexico and has published numerous articles on solar thermal technology.
Where: Campus of Appalachian State University, Kerr Scott/Harper Hall, Room 178
Schedule for both days: Registration/Breakfast 8:30am; Workshop 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: $300 ($150 for students)
Max Participants: 75
- Kerr Scott/Harper Hall has limited parking, but the Rivers Street parking deck is just next door.
- Lodging info can be found at www.visitboonenc.com.
- A convenient on-campus option is the Broyhill Inn, (828) 262-2204, (800) 951-6048, www.broyhillinn.com
- Weather forecast: www.booneweather.com/Forecast/Boone
- Maps and directions: maps.appstate.edu
Who Should attend these workshops?
... basically anyone
- Renewable energy Installers, contractors, dealers
- Electricians and plumbers
- Land, home, business, or farm owners
- Students, tradespersons and inventors
- Teachers
- Elected officials
- Utility companies/cooperatives
- Any energy user interested in harnessing power from solar, wind or water.
Regional Airport options
Asheville Regional Airport
828-684-2226
Asheville, NC
Mileage from Boone: 105 miles
Drive time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 105 S to Linville, Hwy. 221 S to Marion, I-40 W to Asheville, I- 26 E follow directions to the airport.
Boone Airport - very small
828-265-3598
(No scheduled services. 3,200 ft runway)
Boone, NC
Directions: Hwy 321 to Deerfield Rd, Follow Deerfield Rd and turn right on Bamboo Rd southeast of town. The airport is on your right.
Charlotte Douglas Airport
704-359-4013 (international airport)
Charlotte, NC
Mileage from Boone: 100 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 321 S to Gastonia, I-85 N to Charlotte, take Billy Graham Parkway exit. Follow signs to the airport.
Tri-City Airport
423-325-6000
Between Johnson City and Bristol, TN
Mileage from Boone: 75 miles
Drive time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Directions: Hwy. 105 S to Hwy. 184 (Banner Elk turn-off). Proceed through Banner Elk to stoplight. At stoplight turn left onto Hwy. 194 .At Elk Falls turn right onto Hwy. 19 E to Elizabethton, TN. In Elizabethton continue on 19E until it intersects with Hwy 11E/19. Turn right on 11E/19 to Hwy 394 at Bluff City, TN. Turn left (west) on Hwy. 394 to Blountville, TN. In Blountville take Hwy. 126 and then at this intersection with Hwy. 75 turn left to the airport.
Piedmont Triad Airport
336-665-5666 or 800-428-4322
Greensboro, NC
Mileage from Boone: 97 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 421 S to Winston-Salem, NC. In Winston-Salem take I-40E to Greensboro, NC. (not business I-40). Outside Greensboro take exit 210 (Hwy. 68N) to the airport.
Questions?
Any registration questions prior to the workshop can be e-mailed to Conferences and Institues. Or call (828)262-3045.
Any program questions prior to the workshop can be e-mailed to WNCREI. Or call (828)262-7333.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!