PV Photovoltaics

PV1. 2017 NEC Changes for Renewables (3 hours, 3 NABCEP): This three-hour workshop requires a $30 ticket that can be purchased at www.TheEnergyFair.org/tickets or on-site (space limited). 2017 NEC is loaded with major changes, revisions, and new articles that pertain to energy efficiency as well as renewable energy sectors. Learn about new NEC articles on Battery Energy Storage as well as micro grids. Harry Ohde, IBEW Master Trainer and Bob Hattier, IBEW 134. Friday 2:30 p.m. in the Education Room ll l

PV2. Advanced PV: Learn about solar electric with a review of the latest issues in PV design and installation with plenty of time for questions by participants regarding their concerns. Christopher LaForge, ISPQ Certified Master Trainer, Great Northern Solar. Sunday 10:00 a.m. in the Orange Tent lll

PV3. Aesthetics of Renewable Energy: Who says solar can’t be beautiful? Incorporating aesthetics into renewable energy projects provide beauty and function while increasing public awareness and acceptance. This discussion will review worldwide examples. John Hippensteel, PE, President, Lake Michigan Wind and Sun, Ltd. Friday 4:30 p.m. in the Orange Tent ll

PV4. Battery System Concepts for Homeowners: Homeowners will learn about the differences between available battery types, what problems batteries can solve for us, and the feasibility and general costs of various solutions. Charlie Pickard, NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional, NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales, TruNorth Solar, LLC, Genie Solar Support Services, Aladdin Solar. Friday 3:30 p.m. in the Orange Tent ll

PV5. Being a Smart Solar Electric System Consumer: Know what you’re getting for your money, and learn about important features of a high-quality system. Learn key characteristics of modules and inverters that drive system performance and cost. Jim Funk, Owner/Founder, Energize, LLC. Saturday 12:00 p.m. in the Red Tent l

PV6. Build a Diverse and Inclusive Solar Workforce: Research shows that diverse companies are successful companies. The growing solar industry presents an opportunity to bring career track employment opportunities to underserved communities, while connecting companies with a skilled and diverse workforce to help them succeed. What does it take to recruit and train a diverse solar workforce, and what do companies need to do to make their workplaces truly inclusive? Erika Symmonds, Director of Workforce Development, GRID Alternatives. Saturday 2:30 p.m. in the Maroon Tent llll

PV7. Commercial Solar PV Economics: Larger solar PV projects analysis is complicated by demand charges, 15-minute metering, avoided cost rates, etc. Please join us to learn how to improve your ability to assess these

projects. Niels Wolter, Owner, Madison Solar Consulting. Friday 10:00 a.m. in the Orange Tent ll

PV8. Designing and Building a 40kW PV System: Pdon will discuss how he designed and built a ground mounted 40kW net metering PV system near Hastings, MN, with time for questions. Pdon Pinkham, MnSEIA Member, Secondary Teacher (Physics, Chemistry, Math, Programming), Nanoscience Consultant, Energy Enthusiast, Pdonco. Saturday 2:30 p.m. in the Orange Tent lll

PV9. DIY Portable Solar—Fits on Apartment Balcony: The O-GO, or Off-Grid Outlet, is a small solar PV system that can fit on an apartment balcony. It is portable, and can be wheeled around the apartment to power many household devices. Diane Cheklich, Solar advocate/MREA graduate, Solar Party Detroit. Sunday 10:00 a.m. in the Purple Tent l

PV10. DIY Solar Garage—Power a House and Car: How to build your own grid-tie PV solar array that powers a house and electric car from an amateur point of view. Surprising lessons learned, mistakes to avoid, and the joy of doing it yourself. Ben Nelson, Electric Vehicle Builder, 300MPG.org. Sunday 11:00 a.m. in the Purple Tent l

PV11. Electromagnetic Interference—The Basics: Learn about electromagnetic interference, such as EMI and RFI. This workshop will use practical examples to show where it comes from, how it happens, and how to control it. Mike Nemeth, President, P.E., Nemeth Energy Solutions, Inc. Sunday 2:00 p.m. in the White Tent llll

PV12. Energy Management Technology and Training for Home and Business: Explore the science of Energy Management technology while learning the basics of how to improve the energy efficiency of your home or business. Jenny Brinker, CEM, Instructor, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Friday 10:00 a.m. in the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Grid Trailer (Exhibit Booth x51-55) llll

PV13. Energy Storage and Renewable Energy (3 hours): This three-hour workshop requires a $30 ticket that can be purchased at www.TheEnergyFair.org/tickets or on-site (space limited). Improvements in energy storage systems and low photovoltaic prices are making people more interested in going “off the grid.” Find out how energy storage-based systems work with or without the grid, when they are appropriate, and when energy storage may be profitable. System designs and planning will be covered in depth. Christopher LaForge, ISPQ Certified Master Trainer, Great Northern Solar. Saturday 2:30 p.m. in the Brown (Extended Workshop) Tent ll

PV14. Financing PV Systems for Tax Exempt Organizations: No tax appetite? No problem. There are financing solutions that make these situations not only practical, but they are also financially beneficial to your organization. Doug Stingle, PV Sales, North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative. Saturday 4:30 p.m. in the Red Tent l

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PV15. Intermediate PV: You will learn how PV systems work. Identify and discuss four types, components, applications, and limitations of each system type. Define the solar window, energy efficiency recommendations, and estimate system loads. Kris Schmid, Owner/Founder, Legacy Solar, LLC. Saturday 4:30 p.m. in the Orange Tent l

PV16. Intro to Photovoltaic Systems (A): Discover an introduction to photovoltaic/solar electric technology and how to use it based on system types, mounting options, shading, costs and benefits, and next steps to implement a system. Jim Funk, Owner/Founder, Energize, LLC. Friday 10:00 a.m. in the Red Tent l

PV17. Intro to Photovoltaic Systems (B): An introduction to solar electric technology and how to use it. Learn about system types, mounting options, shading, costs and benefits, and next steps to implement a system. Kris Schmid, Owner/Founder, Legacy Solar, LLC. Saturday 10:00 a.m. in the Orange Tent l

PV18. Join MREA’s PV+EV Campaign: MREA has brought lovers of solar photovoltaics (PV) and electric vehicles (EV) together through our year-round renewable energy tours, free EV charging, and The Energy Fair’s Clean Transportation Show. As interest in marrying PV and EV technologies keeps growing, MREA will be fundraising for a new PV carport that will have expanded EV charging capacity, host the Energy Fair’s Clean Transportation Show, and serve as a year-round technical training lab. Nick will guide you through the vision to help MREA make this carport a reality. Nick Hylla, Executive Director, Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Friday 11:00 a.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. in the Red Tent l

PV19. Living Off-Grid, Really!?: Aur ‘Da Energy Mon’, has lived off-grid for 19 years and empowers YOU to get energized with renewable energy. Learn real, fun, interesting, and low-cost ways to start living the off-grid mentality now. Start simply; start now! Aur Beck, Chief Technician, Advanced Energy Solutions Group, Inc., LivingOffGridReally.com. Friday 3:30 p.m. in the White Tent ll

PV20. Maximizing PV Value and Utility Rate Plans (Residential and Commercial): Changing utility rate schedules have an impact on a PV system’s value. Learn how proper system sizing, designing for energy storage, and zero export (in commercial applications) can maximize PV’s value. Rob Peck, PV Sales, North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative. Friday 2:30 p.m. in the Orange Tent l

PV21. MREA Solar Power Hour: Learn how solar electric systems work, learn the financial benefits, how to select an installer, and how to find available financing options. Discover everything you need to know to get started. Devon Cupery, Engagement Manager, Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Saturday 10:00 a.m. and Sunday 3:00 p.m. in the Red Tent ll

PV22. Off-Grid Cabins: Imagine your vacation cabin in the woods… with electricity and no generator. Off-grid PV is a way of life. Learn about the components, the costs and the lifestyle of off-grid living. Craig Buttke, PV Installer, North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative. Saturday 3:30 p.m. in the Orange Tent l

PV23. PV for Domestic Hot Water and Backup Power with DIY Controller: Learn how much backup power you could generate if it was ‘free’ because the system’s primary purpose is domestic hot water. Pete demonstrates photovoltaics (PV) for domestic hot water (DHW) using a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller you can build yourself. Learn how much backup power you could generate if it was ‘free’ because the system’s primary purpose is domestic hot water. Pete demonstrates photovoltaics (PV) for domestic hot water (DHW) using a simple on-off controller you can build yourself. Plans will be provided. Pete Gruendeman, Designed and built the MPPT Type PV for DHW Controller. Saturday 2:30 p.m. in the White Tent ll

PV24. PV for Your Home: Learn why many people are installing solar PV on their homes and how you can too. We’ll use real-world case studies to look at how a solar PV system works as well as the environmental and financial benefits. Jordan Kaiser, PV Sales, North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative. Sunday 12:00 p.m. in the Orange Tent ll

PV25. Rail-less RT [E] Mount (Demo): DIY husband and wife team installing four modules on demo roof display. Demonstrating how simple and easy it is to install solar on your home with Roof Tech RT [E] mount rail-less racking system and RT flexible butyl flashing. Mike Dunlap, Regional Sales Manager, Roof-Tech. Saturday 9:15 a.m. at the Exhibit Booths B8-10 l

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PV26. Real Time Analysis of Standalone Home: A Minnesota off-grid home’s energy use is tracked for one heating season.  The real data, presented and analyzed to reveal generator run time, battery usage, and system design considerations.     Darryl Thayer, Installer, Educator, DT Renewables. Friday 2:30 p.m. in the Red Tent ll

PV27. Realistic Calculation of Solar Payback: Solar business training guru and NABCEP Secretary Jeff Spies will walk through the process of calculating solar payback with focus on the evolving changes in incentives, net metering, and utility solar taxes. Financial review includes historical electric rate analysis and future rate projections. Jeff will also address new utility solar taxes that threaten to derail the U.S. solar market and what homeowners and business owners can do to defend their rights to distributed generation with solar power. Jeff Spies, Sr. Director of Policy, Quick Mount PV. Saturday 12:00 p.m. in the White Tent lll

PV28. Reconstruction and Characteristics of a 24 Volt Li-ion Battery Based on Leaf Cells: Used Nissan Leaf battery cells were reconnected to form a 24 Volt Li-ion battery, using a third party BMS.  Charge and discharge characteristics are graphed to compare to standard Lead acid battery.  Darryl Thayer, Installer, Educator, DT Renewables and Stewart Roberts, Battery and Advanced Technologies Specialist, The Foreign Service Hybrid and EV Repair in Roseville, MN. Saturday 12:00 p.m. in the Orange Tent ll

PV29. Reduce Soft Costs—Solar in New Construction (1 AIA LU): Learn how including solar during the construction phase lowers soft costs, allowing the contractor to lower the cost per watt, create faster payback time, and generate more margin dollars. Contractors can capitalize on this growing trend, understand how solar adds value to homes, and how to successfully involve your sub-contractors. Compare the payback of a solar project installed during construction to a retrofit install. *Members of the American Institute of Architects will receive 1 LU. Jack Kluempke, Solar Business Advisor, MN Department of Commerce. Saturday 10:00 a.m. in the Purple Tent l

PV30. Residential Solar Electric Systems: Join the solar revolution! Let’s talk about how PV systems work, how a solar array is sited, interconnecting with the utility, and environmental and financial benefits. Real-world case study examples. Rob Peck, PV Sales, North Wind Renewable Energy Cooperative. Friday 4:30 p.m. in the Red Tent ll

PV31. Safety and Ergonomics Awareness Training and Best Practices for Solar Energy Generation Employees (3 hours, 3 NABCEP): Training includes hands on activities and demonstrations specific to the solar industry on the following topics: overexertion (lifting, awkward posture, carrying, pushing/pulling, etc.), slip/trip/falls, struck-caught, electric shock/electrocution, employee rights and responsibilities, noise, and environment. Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan, PhD, Professor, Department

Developed as part of MREA’s engagements with higher education, our new Solar Finance Simulator is an easy-to-use online tool for universities, hospitals, municipalities, and businesses to simulate long-term financial forecasting for four types of solar photovoltaic (PV) investment. The tool can be used to guide or validate potential projects, compare proposals, or simply help users become more familiar with financing structures and common transaction costs. Try it at www.solarprojectbuilder.org or join us for our following Energy Fair workshops:

The Solar Finance Simulator was

developed with support from

The U.S. Department of Energy SunShot

Initiative.

Solutions for Financing Local Government Solar ProjectsFriday, June 16, 12:00 p.m.Presenters: Sherrie Gruder, UW-Extensions; Eric Rehm, MREA Solar Finance ManagerWorkshop PV36.

Solutions for Financing for Business, Homeowners, and Nonprofits Sunday, June 18, 2:00 p.m. Presenter: Eric Rehm, MREA Solar Finance Manager Workshop PV34.

Interested in learning about solar financing options for your public or private institution? Learn about MREA’s new Solar Finance Simulator while at the Energy Fair!

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Chair of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Consortium for Advanced Research in Gas Industries (CARGI) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Madiha Ahmed, MS, pursuing PhD degree in Ergonomics and Safety, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Jenny Heinzen, Training Coordinator, Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Sunday 10:00 a.m. in the Solar Professional Building ll

PV32. Selecting an Installer, Facts, and Expectations: This workshop is for those individuals looking to add solar to their home or business. Get the facts about financing, incentives, permitting, and how to choose from someone who is not an installer. Jack Kluempke, Solar Business Advisor, MN Department of Commerce and Tom Shock, Tom Shock PV Seminars. Friday 11:00 a.m. in the Blue Tent ll

PV33. Smart Grid and Micro Grid Basics: John will provide an introduction to our evolving electrical distribution network, specifically describing Smart Grids and Micro Grids. John Hippensteel, PE, Instuctor, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Saturday 10:00 a.m. in the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Grid Trailer (Exhibit Booth x51-55) l

PV34. Solar Financing for Business, Homeowners, and Nonprofits: Want to unlock the financial power of solar energy? Come gain insight by learning how to use MREA’s powerful Solar Finance Simulator Tool to choose the best financing option and harness solar energy for your business, home or nonprofit. Eric Rehm, Solar Finance Manager, MREA. Sunday 2:00 p.m. in the Red Tent llll

PV35. Solar Revolution—Cheaper and Spreading Fast: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems are competing successfully with fossil-fuel power on price alone in many places. Systems large and small are going up fast. Learn how to compute the cash-flow of a PV system at your home. John Richter, Co-founder, Institute for Sustainable Energy Education. Sunday 3:00 p.m. in the Orange Tent l

PV36. Solutions for Financing Local Government Solar Projects: Want to unlock the financial power of solar energy? Come gain insight into local solar financing options using UW-Extension’s Solar Energy Financing Guide and MREA’s Solar Finance Simulator Tool. Eric Rehm, Solar Finance Manager, MREA and Sherrie Gruder, Energy Program Manager, UW-Extension. Friday 12:00 p.m. in the White Tent llll

PV37. The History of the Pioneers of PV Power: Documentary filmmaker Jeff Spies tells the stories of the pioneers of PV who sparked the renewable energy revolution that is rapidly transforming our electric grid. Jeff Spies, Sr. Director of Policy, Quick Mount PV. Saturday 3:30 p.m. in the White Tent llll

PV38. When and Why You Should Work with an Engineer: Learn when you need an engineer involved in your solar PV project. We will discuss both how the installers benefits and how the building owners could benefit.

Find out details, ask questions, and get the answers. Mike Nemeth, President, P.E., Nemeth Energy Solutions, Inc. Sunday 11:00 a.m. in the Orange Tent l

PV39. Women Advancing Our Renewable Energy Future—Panel and Networking: Did you know the six foremost solar organizations in the U.S. are led by women? Join a panel of women leaders from around the country for a lively conversation on ways to increase women’s voices and leadership in the clean energy industry. We will discuss ideas to further educational opportunities, increase diversity in leadership, and share strategies for overcoming obstacles. Then stick around for a fun networking event from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. to further the conversation. Women in renewable energy… we’re stronger together. Panel of Women Leaders including Elizabeth Hittman, Sustainability Coordinator, City of Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office and Amy Heart, Director, Public Policy, Sunrun. Friday 2:30 p.m. in the Pink Tentlll

Save the date for The Energy Fair in St. Paul, MN! Sept. 9-10th with a Solar

Professional Day Sept. 8th. More information on pages 102-103 and at

TheEnergyFair.org.

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