I had the pleasure of helping Ian Woofenden start up this workshop several years ago. I’m pleased that it’s still going strong and in a great location to learn about renewable energy. (Actually, it’s now in two Costa Rican locations.) This week in Costa Rica gives you the chance to discover, hands-on, what PV installations can do for developing countries. Consider attending, or share this opportunity with your friends and colleagues! -Johnny Slides from Last Year’s Workshop “Really loved the course! As someone with no prior experience in the solar world, I feel this course excellently introduced me to its great potential and great complexity. I was also excited to learn about its excellent application in the developing world.” “Eco-tourism doesn’t get any more authentic.”
Students’ Comments
Ian Woofenden’s Costa Rica Solar Workshop
Learn about solar electricity for the developing world in the developing world!
Ian Woofenden is offering yet another workshop in Costa Rica. In January, he offered one in a new and exciting venue at the Las Alturas Reserve, and the next one, in March, will be at Ian’s long-time venue in Mastatal.
Participants will study the basics of off-grid solar-electric design while installing 3-4 solar-electric lighting and cell phone charging systems for our facility and for local families.
The workshop will take place in a large (~50 square-mile) and remote private reserve in southern Costa Rica, near the border with Panama. Very few people are able to visit this special place, and we’ll be spending a week living and working there, with time to explore nature and the community while learning and contributing.
The workshop combines classroom sessions with a strong emphasis on real-world projects in the community, along with hands-on labs. You will have the opportunity to understand, design, and install lighting and cell-phone-charging systems that can dramatically improve the living conditions of the local people. This is an experiential program, with a real-world focus. Come and learn by doing, sharing, and experiencing on projects in the developing world.
Topics include:
- Basics of Electricity
- Meters
- PV System Terminology & Components
- Designing for System Efficiency
- Energy Efficient Appliances
- Safe Installation
- PV Cells, Modules, & Arrays
- Series/Parallel Principles
- Establishing System Voltage
- Solar Site Analysis
- Orientation, Tilt Angles, & Shading
- Mounting Options and Hardware Selection
- Batteries
- Controllers
- Inverters
- Wiring, Overcurrent Protection, Disconnects, & Grounding
- Technology Transfer in the Developing World
Renewable Energy for the Developing World-Hands-On
For millions of poor, rural people around the world, solar electricity may provide the first electric lights a family has seen, replacing darkness at sunset with the opportunity to read, study, or recreate after a day of work. This hands-on workshop teaches how give this amazing technology to the people who are most in need.
In the classroom portion, workshop participants will gain a basic understanding of the principles of small, stand-alone solar-electric systems and their design and installation. In labs and in three real-world installations, participants will learn in by doing, while helping improve the lives of local people.
Rancho Mastatal, Costa Rica (http://www.ranchomastatal.com
April 2-10, 2016
$1,325 includes program, food, dorm lodging, and in-country travel
Details: http://www.renewablereality.
Debby and I meet in the late ’80s when she participated in a Photovoltaic (PV) workshop that I co-taught.