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February 28, 2005
Akumal, México
Sponsored by:
RENEW Wisconsin
Yucatan Environmental Foundation
SoListo
Southwest Windpower
You can tap two of the Yucatán's most plentiful resources—sun and wind—to reduce energy costs in your residence, your business, or the properties you manage. You can also design a renewable energy system to reduce power outages!
A small wind turbine can generate a few watts of electricity to supply part of your energy needs, or a larger wind turbine can produce several kilowatts and become your main source of power.
The sun can do even more for you—generate electricity and heat your water. The abundant sun of the Yucatán can produce considerable amounts of electricity, while solar water heaters can give you gallons and gallons of hot water. In fact, solar water heaters are especially ideal for large users of hot water, including hotels, condos, and restaurants.
Renewable energy can be your legacy to the Riviera Maya, because power generated from gas or coal power plants impacts the jungles and reefs of the Yucatán. Your renewable energy installation would help the Riviera Maya become a sustainable model for México and beyond.
Topics at the morning workshop (8:30 a.m. to noon) on wind energy will include:
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Overview of wind electric systems
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Where to locate a wind turbine to take advantage of the wind
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Picking the right size for your home, condo, property, or business
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Overview of installation
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A buyer's guide to wind turbines
Topics in the afternoon workshop (1:00 to 4:30 p.m.) on solar energy will include:
- Overview of solar systems for electricity and hot water
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Where to locate solar panels to take advantage of the sun
- Picking the right size and number of panels for home, condo, property, or business
- Overview of installation
- A buyer's guide to solar collectors
Both workshops will be held at the Centro Ecológico Akumal Center.
Schedule a free visit by the instructor to assess the site where you might want to install a turbine or solar system! The number of participants will be limited so that we don't overwork the instructor, who wants some time to enjoy the Riviera Maya, so register soon to guarantee a place in one or both of the workshops.
More information
Contact Ed Blume at eblume@renewwisconsin.org or 608.819.0748 (U.S.)
Course instructor
After dropping out of college, working as a shipyard pipe fitter, and then returning for his engineering degree, John Hippensteel traveled from the Midwest to Africa and back before purchasing Lake Michigan Wind and Sun (www.windandsun.com) in 1997.
Hippensteel still travels afar, teaching wind resource assessment and turbine maintenance in Europe, China, and South Korea.
When he can actually spend time at Lake Michigan Wind and Sun in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, he splits his time along the lines of the company's business commitments—25 percent in solar heating; 25 percent in solar electrical; 20 percent in commercial wind site assessment, monitoring, and tower installations for data loggers; and 30 percent in wind turbine wind maintenance and service.
Read an interview with John
RENEW Wisconsin
RENEW Wisconsin is a non-profit organization advocating the adoption of clean energy strategies to power Wisconsin businesses and households in an environmentally responsible manner. Through 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 to displace fossil-generated electricity.
Ed Blume, a frequent visitor to Akumal and a CEA volunteer, serves as communications director for RENEW.
Register on-line for
Wind & Solar Workshop
1/2 day Solar Workshop
1/2 day Wind Workshop
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