diy solar hot air collector workshop
During this daylong class, participants will learn how to build and install their own low-cost solar hot air collector, which can be built in one weekend for under $400 using locally available materials. One 4x8-foot panel can mount on a south wall of their house, garage, or workshed to provide daytime heat on sunny days for up to 500 square feet of floor area. During the class, participants will work as a team to construct a collector. Hand tools and all supplies to build one model collector will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their favorite hand tools if they’d like.
When: Saturday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with one hour for lunch)
Where: Workforce Careers Center room 1170 at Lincoln Land Community College
Instructor: Robert Croteau - click here for his bio
Cost: $50 per person or $80 per couple
Registration Deadline: June 30 - Limited space so register today!
To register: Click here to register online. Download a form to print, fill out, and send in. Or contact Julie Bates at julie.bates@llcc.edu or at 217.786.2434 to register or for more information.
past workshops
renewable energy options for homeowners series
This series of five courses is designed for homeowners, professionals, and trade persons who are seeking to gain a quick but thorough knowledge of various renewable energy options. Instructor Robert Croteau will help participants learn how to determine the appropriate types of systems to fit various situations.
WHERE: All workshops will be held in the Trutter Center at Lincoln Land Community College
WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. on the days listed below
COST: The cost is $30 per workshop or $125 for the entire workshop series; students with a valid ID may attend for $15 per workshop.
TO REGISTER: Click here to register online or contact Julie Bates at julie.bates@llcc.edu or 217.786.2434 for more information.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:
4/6/11 - Introduction to Renewable Energy
This course provides a brief survey of the types of renewable energy options applicable to the Midwest region. The primary emphasis is on solar and wind applications. This course will stress the importance of maximizing insulation and other efficiency measures prior to investing in renewable technologies.
4/20/11 - Passive Solar Design for Homes, Greenhouses, and Sunspaces
This course outlines the basic principles of passive solar design. Students learn how to design a home, room addition, or greenhouse using solar geometry. It also covers how to make the structure itself the solar collector by appropriate placement of windows, thermal mass, and shading devices and delves into how solar applications can be incorporated into building projects for no additional cost.
5/4/11 - Solar Thermal Collectors: Hot Air and Water
This course will show the potential of collecting the sun’s heat to meet nearly all of our heating needs for hot air, hot water, swimming pools, and radiant floor heating. The course includes a demonstration of simple, low-cost solar collectors the students can build themselves. Students also will learn how to site and size a system for their home or businesses.
5/18/11 - Photovoltaics (Solar Electricity)
(Stand Alone, Utility Interconnected, and Battery Assisted)
Solar electricity is the premium solar resource for powering our electronic devices and motors. Students will learn the various types of photovoltaic technologies and discover which types and mounting options best fit their situation. They will learn how to site a solar array for maximum gain and how to determine the size and cost of a system for their own home or business. This course includes demonstrations of actual equipment.
6/1/11 - Wind Energy
(Types and Sizes, Tower Types, and Zoning Issues)
Students will learn the differences between vertical- and horizontal-axis generators, as well as how to determine the output and sizing of a generator to fit their needs. Wind energy plays an important role in the renewable energy toolbox. It is easy to site in rural settings, but more difficult in the urban environment. Tower types and required heights needed to catch the “good wind” will be discussed, as well as how to work with zoning issues.