Solar Hot Water Workshop
May 15-19 2010
Ananda Kanan is an intentional community with the emphasis on spiritual practices through yoga and service to the surrounding community. We have resolved to become as energy independent as possible. We have a large campus here, with 12 buildings. Our goal is to add solar hot water to each building, and eventually to generate electricity through photovoltaics and wind power. We also want to share our successes and failures so that others may also work on becoming energy independent.
The workshop will consist of two parts. People can participate in the weekend or the full session.
Students installing solar hot water collectors at Ananda Kanan
For More Information,
Instructor Dr. Ron Marusarz
Weekend
Overview of what is involved in applying solar and wind energy systems to your home. How to assess your situation and what you need to get started. What you can do yourself and what you need a pro to help you with. An onsite tour of some solar hot water systems and also a radiant floor system.
5-Day Workshop
Hands-on experience of putting together a solar hot water collector system and installing it. The emphasis will be on using simple materials, most of which can be found at a lumberyard. There will be some classes in theory throughout the week, using the class textbook. The goal of the this workshop is to equip you with the information and experience to create your own system at home.
Workshop Instructor: Dr. Ron Marusarz
Ron is a retired electrical engineering professor from Southern Illinois University with many years of experience as a new product research and development engineer for industry. He resides in an intentional community (Ananda Liina) in Urbana, Illinois, where he has designed and built a number of systems for his own home and other buildings in the community including: passive solar heated homes, solar water heating, radiant floor heatimg systems, photovoltaic arrays, small wind turbines, off-grid battery back up systems, and ozonation systems to recycle rain and surface water for domestic use.. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and his enthusiasm for alternative living solutions.
Topics Covered in Curriculum
Energy efficiency- making the best use of what you have and saving energy
Energy audits
Passive solar house design
Super insulation techniques
Humidity control with slow flow air exchangers
Off-grid living
Passive and active solar heating and cooling
Solar collectors for water heating
Photovoltaics
Wind powered generators
Batteries
Conversion from dc to ac power using inverters
Backup power sources
Classes in basic physics, electricity and heat transfer necessary to better understand alternative energy systems
Cost
Weekend $300 (includes vegetarian meals and lodging)
Full Workshop $750 (includes vegetarian meals and lodging)
Student discounts available.
