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Solar Energy Systems for Homes & Businesses
A hands-on workshop in solar theory and installation
Akumal, México, March 2-9, 2004
Learn the theory of solar energy and how to build a solar water heater, solar panel, and solar cooker.
You’ll learn how to build and install solar systems in your home or business -- whether in México, the U.S., or anywhere else in the world.
Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) and Grupo Fenix of Nicaragua invite you to participate in a week-long, hands-on workshop to learn about solar energy systems. Build and install at least two solar water heaters -- one on the roof of the CEA dorms and one or more on local homes.
The course will be taught in Spanish and English by Rich Komp, president of the Maine Solar Energy Association, and a staff person from Grupo Fenix.
The tuition has been discounted to $555 USD, and does not include lunches or transportation to and from Cancún. A three-day tuition to learn the principles of solar energy on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday is $300 USD.
Cosponsored by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (www.the-mrea.org) and RENEW Wisconsin (www.renewwisconsin.org).
Schedule
Tuesday, March 2, 2004 -Theory of sunlight, how it travels across the sky, the solar spectrum, blackbody radiation, thermal physics and the basics of solar heaters, cookers, and driers.
Wednesday, March 3 - A short hands-on course in photovoltaics (solar panels). Construct a small solar battery charger.
Thursday, March 4 - Theory and practice of solar water heaters. Start hands-on assembly of batch water heaters.
Friday, March 5 - Continue assembly of water heaters. Possibly make a flat plate solar water heater collector.
Saturday, March 6 - Install one of the batch type heaters on CEA dorm. Start installation on a casa nearby.
Sunday, March 7 - Free day to enjoy the beach, sea, Tulum ruins, and area.
Monday, March 8 - Finish up assemblies and installations.
Tuesday, March 9 - Farewell breakfast or other farewell event.
For more information, contact workshop organizer Ed Blume at ed@ceakumal.org.
Activities in Akumal and the Riviera Maya
You’ll have plenty to do (or nothing at all) when you’re not in the workshop. We’ll plan a few activities and leave plenty of time for you to enjoy Akumal.
Sunning, swimming, snorkeling, diving. The shallow, crystal-clear water and sandy beach of Akumal Bay define tropical perfection. Dive shops are right on the beach.
Ruins. The small, but stunning, Tulum ruins hug the sea 20 minutes south of Akumal, and the jungles hide many, many small sites that you can visit on your own or with a guide.
Restaurants. You can go from cheap eats at a tacoria in the pueblo to gourmet dinners at restaurants overlooking the bay.
Shopping. Playa del Carmen, 30 minutes north of Akumal, satisfies every shopping impulse!
Nature. Local guides can give you exceptional walks. CEA staff give entertaining and educational presentations nightly.
Families. The reef-protected bay and laid-back pace suit families with children of all ages. Make the workshop a vacation, too!
Workshop Sponsors
Centro Ecológico Akumal (CEA) works on saving the Great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, only yards offshore from Akumal, through the elimination of groundwater contamination.
To achieve its mission, CEA supports the use of advanced systems using natural technologies, such as solar power, composting toilets, and created wetlands.
Located 100 kilometers south of Cancún, CEA began in July 1993 with a generous donation of four hectares of land and buildings from the yachtless Akumal Club de Yates. Income from the properties helps support CEA’s programs and projects.
RENEW Wisconsin, Madison, is a nonprofit organization advocating the adoption of clean energy strategies to power Wisconsin businesses and households with environmentally responsible systems. With a combination of public policy and private sector initiatives, RENEW aims to increase the use of clean, self-renewing energy resources to generate electricity or displace fossil-fuel generated electricity. More about RENEW at www.renewwisconsin.org.
Grupo Fenix was started in 1996 by a group of enthusiastic engineering students and Professor Susan Kinne at the Universidad Nacional de Ingeneria (UNI) in Managua, Nicaragua.
Searching for more technical expertise for her students, Professor Kinne contacted Richard Komp, Ph.D. Trained as a physical chemist, Dr. Komp has been a proponent of solar energy since the 1960s and continues this passion as the president of the Maine Solar Energy Association and of his small company, SunWatt Corporation. In 1997, Dr. Komp agreed to give workshops in Nicaragua and has become a major technical consultant for Grupo Fenix. More at www.grupofenix.org.
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association, a progressive nonprofit, works to create a sustainable future based on renewable energy. Since 1990, the MREA has helped individuals and businesses establish locally owned, earth-friendly solar and wind systems across the country. Activities include hosting the Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair; workshops and hands-on training; and, developing the ReNew the Earth Institute demonstration facility in Custer, Wisconsin. For more, visit www.the-mrea.org.
Please copy and print this form
Detach and return
Solar Energy Systems for Homes & Businesses
Akumal, Mexico, March 2-9, 2004
Registration
Name ___________________________________________________
□ Full course - $555 USD □ Three days - $300 USD
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Address, City/State/Zip
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Phone (day time) Phone (evening) E-mail
Course fee is payable to: Yucatan Environmental Foundation, the 501(c)3 non-profit U.S. foundation that supports Mexican nonprofit organizations. Mail to: Yucatan Environmental Foundation, Box 2116, Madison, WI 53701-2116. Charge by Mastercard or Visa at: www.ceakumal.org.
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