Introduction to photovoltaics
A one-day course run in partnership with Low Carbon Trust and in association with RESET
Saturday 14 June 2014
9.00am - 5.00pm
Stanmer Park, Brighton
(Click here if you would like to be notified about future runs of this course/event.)
Learn how to make a basic off-grid solar electric energy system for domestic and other similar purposes.
What will the Introduction to photovoltaics 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.
Who is the Introduction to photovoltaics course for?
This course is open to anyone aged 16 or over. It 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 with 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.
Learning methods and outcomes
Participants will learn about photovoltaic 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 photovoltaic system and a tour of Earthship Brighton.
Accreditation
Continuing Personal or Professional Development (CPD) accreditation is available for this course/event, which is accredited by the CPD Certification Service. We can issue a certificate after you have completed the course/event. To find out more, please contact us or visit: http://www.cpduk.co.uk
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' areas 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.
Venue
Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex), Brighton. Click here for directions to our meeting point near the church in 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.
Recommended reading
No reading is required prior to the course, texts listed here are recommendations only:
• Off the Grid by Duncan Keridge(This book is provided as part of the course)
• Wind & Sun Design Guide and Catalogue
• Home Power Magazine
• Green Building Bible
• The Low Carbon Trust links page is a very useful resource
• The Centre for Alternative Technology has a wealth of useful resources on renewable energy
Fees
Fees include tuition, refreshments and information sheets.
£184 - Sponsored/organisation rate
£184 - Individual income more than 25k/yr
£152 - Individual income 18-25k/yr
£120 - Individual income less than 18k/yr
£88 - Individual, concessionary rate (please read below)
Concessionary rates are available to people in receipt of a state pension, means-tested benefits (including housing benefit, council tax benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit (income does not exceed £16,190) and/or Child Tax Credit), and full-time students. Please bring evidence of this to the course.
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 the Introduction to photovoltaics course
Booking is essential, as most of our courses/events are fully booked weeks in advance. However, if places are still available, then bookings can be made until midday the day before the course/event. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment.
Please do not book unless you are able to pay for your place.
Paying for your place
Please read this section carefully.
When you complete the booking process, you will receive a confirmation email from us. If you haven't received that email within the next few hours, please contact us immediately, as this email contains vital information regarding your booking.
You can pay when you book your place using a credit/debit card or PayPal, or you can tick the 'Pay later' box (in the Event Fee section), which gives you the option to pay by BACS or send us a cheque after you have booked.
If you tick the pay later box, you will have 7 days to pay for your place. Bookings that remain unpaid on our system for longer than that will expire. You will receive notification of this expiration by email. If you then decide you want to come, you will need to contact us to see if there is a still a place available for you.
If you are booking within two weeks of the course, you will not have the option to pay later. Instead, you will need to pay immediately at the point of booking using a credit card or PayPal. This will also be the only option available if the course is nearly fully booked.
Be certain that you understand ALL the information on this page, then:
Register here for Introduction to photovoltaics, 14 June 2014
If places are available, you will automatically be taken to the booking form.
Contact us
For further information or if you have problems with your registration, please contact us.
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