Solar Home Design Course at 21 Acres

Are you considering building an addition or new structure and thinking about installing solar panels? Is that even possible with Woodinville’s weather to use solar power?

According to the instructors of a new course at 21 Acres Center for Local Food and Sustainable Living, it is. Chris Herman, owner of Winter Sun Design and Jeremy Smithson, CEO and founder of Puget Sound Solar are teaching a six-week solar home design course beginning May 8.

“Solar energy systems work very well here,” said Smithson. “Trees can hamper solar production, so it is important to measure the amount of annual exposure at a proposed solar collector location to determine feasibility. Properly trained solar professionals can help take accurate measurements.”

The six sessions and topics covered include: 

• Session 1: Solar 101-The Basics of Residential Solar Use; Cut through the chaos and get focused on a specific project
• Session 2: Passive Solar Strategies for Residential Design and applications; Learn about heating, cooling and daylighting – system types and characteristics
• Session 3: Sizing, Performance, Costs and Benefits; Get answers to questions: What capacity should I consider? How many solar panels do I need? Plan a system to meet every day needs. Recoup the investment with long term savings thru Washington State’s cost recovery system
• Session 4: Solar Thermal from A-Z, Design Construction and Operation; Explore residential and backyard farming applications, (i.e. options for greenhouses, residential hot water, passive thermal collection)
• Session 5: Photovoltaic PV systems A to Z, Design, Construction, Operations; Covers engineering, resources, approved contractor lists, smart sourcing of supplies, and, info re who to call next after the class
• Session 6: Off Grid System Types and Operations (urban and rural); Learn about irrigation, water capture and pumping, garden features and covers small panel independent system set-up. Good for ponds, fountains and outdoor lighting.

For more information or to register for the course visit :21acres.org/school, or phone: 425-481-1500, or email: deb@21acres.org.