Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010
¾¨Ó㴫ý will host "Alternative Energy 101: Solar Power" Saturday, June 5, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Field Station.
The hands-on workshop is open to students, community members, and educators who want to learn more about alternative energy and solar energy. Participants will experience small-scale solar devices and have an opportunity to help in the construction of a 2 kW grid-tied solar energy installation. No experience is necessary and all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend. Act 48 or continuing education credits are available for those who participate.
Workshop leaders are: Dr. Douglas Armstead, ¾¨Ó㴫ý assistant professor of physics; Dr. Helen Boylan, associate professor of chemistry; and Dr. Clarence Harms, professor of biology emeritus and director of ¾¨Ó㴫ý's Field Station.
Two break-out sessions are on the agenda. The first involves installation of the 2 kW solar system and includes: mounting support rails for panels; mounting panels; running wires for connecting solar panels to the electrical inverter; mounting the inverter; and interfacing the data logging system. The project will be supervised by a certified electrician.
The second break-out session is for those interested in solar energy from an educational perspective. Participants will experiment with commercially-available solar energy kits; will be able to use existing solar exercises or develop their own; and will be introduced to solar energy education resources available, including the Field Station's weather data and forthcoming solar data.
Registration is $15 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Participation is limited to 25 openings.
The workshop is sponsored by ¾¨Ó㴫ý's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and the Continuing Education Program.
Contact the Continuing Education office at (724) 946-7353 or e-mail conted@westminster.edu for additional information.
