Introduction to photovoltaics

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A one-day course run in partnership with Low Carbon Trust

Thursday 7 October 2010, 9.00am -5.30pm

Learn how to make a basic off-grid solar electric energy system for domestic and other similar purposes.

Venue

Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex), Brighton. Click here for directions to our meeting point at Stanmer Park.

Click here for details of local accommodation and to find out about Brighton Permaculture Trust supporters who can provide accommodation in their homes.

What will the course cover?

The course will cover the basics of photovoltaics, from system design and load calculation through to the various types of solar panels, batteries and inverters and their suitability in different situations. The afternoon will be spent setting up a small photovoltaic system and will include a tour of the award winning Earthship Brighton.

The day is aimed at those who wish to get a broad introduction to renewable energy technologies, as well as those wishing to install an off grid photovoltaic energy systems.

Each participant will receive a copy of "Off the Grid" by Duncan Keridge. Please bring a basic calculator to use during the day.

Course tutor

The course will be taught by Alex Saunders who is an engineer bursting with both knowledge and passion for all things renewable. Alex became interested in renewable technology after studying a course in wind power at the Centre of Alternative Technology in 1997. In the following years drawing on his background in Engineering has installed a number of off grid power systems using wind, Solar, and inverter backup systems. These have been in a variety of environments from static/domestic to mobile exhibitions and on boats. Alex in association with AV Resource annually provides power to the kids area's of both Glastonbury festival and the Big Green Gathering.

Mischa Hewitt will be assisting Alex. Mischa was one of the Project Managers of Earthship Brighton, the author of the book Earthships: Build a zero carbon future and has an MSc in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies from the Centre for Alternative Technology. He is a building consultant and works with the green building company Earthwise Construction.

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone wishing to learn how to make a small scale basic solar electric energy system for domestic or other similar purpose. It is suitable for complete beginners, as well as those more familiar electrics.

Brighton Permaculture Trust aims to meet the needs of participants with physical disabilities and leaning difficulties. If you have any issues which you feel may affect your ability to attend or participate in this course/event, please contact us to discuss them prior to booking.

What you will need to bring

Handouts will be provided, but a note-pad and pen is useful to jot down extra ideas. Please bring food to share for lunch or your own lunch.

Learning methods and outcomes

Participants will learn about photo-voltiac systems, from the basics of electricity, betteries, panel types and inverters through to designing a basic off-grid system. The course includes slides, discussions, a practical session wiring up and testing a small off-grid photo-voltaic system and a tour of Earthship Brighton.

Fees

Fees include tuition, refreshments and information sheets.

£162 - Sponsored/organisation rate
£162 - Individual income more than 25k/yr
£132 - Individual income 18-25k/yr
£102 - Individual waged less than 18k/yr
£72 - Individual, concessionary rate

Concessionary rates are available to people in receipt of means-tested benefits (including housing benefit, council tax benefit and working tax credit), also full-time students and OAP s.

We endeavour to make our courses/events affordable to all. Unfortunately we do not receive any external funding for most of our courses/events and rely on large amounts of voluntary input.

See the cancellations and refunds policy.

Booking

Booking is essential as most of our courses/events are fully booked weeks in advance. However if places are still available then reservations can be made until midday the day before the course/event.

You can pay now using a credit/debit card or paypal. This is our preferred option as it saves us administration time. It is usually also possible to pay by cheque/postal order, however this option will not be available on the form in the 2 weeks leading up to the course/event, or if it is nearly fully booked. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment and reservations will only be valid for 3 working days.

Please read the information on this page then
register here for Introduction to photovoltaics, 7 October 2010
If places are available you will automatically be taken to the booking form.

You will receive email confirmation of your registration and further emails from us; please check your spam or junk email folder (especially Hotmail account holders).

Contact us

For further information or if you have problems with your registration please contact us.