Class Syllabus

• Solar, wind, and hydro site assessment
• solar pathfinder usage
• wind and hydro assessment
• site assessment computer software
• System sizing
• Off-grid System Basics
• Loads
• DC
• AC
• Intermittent
• Input
• Solar Electric
• Wind
• Hydro
• Solar Hot Water
• Power conversion
• DC systems
• AC systems
• Storage
• Battery banks
• Off-grid and Remote System Design
• Off grid vs remote
• System winter survival
• Wildlife mitigation
• Transport considerations
• Other options for remote areas
  

  Additional course information:

  Note that this course is offered in both 8- and 48- hour versions. The 8-hour course simply eliminates the hands-on installation portions, and is suitable for renewable energy fairs and other shorter continuing education events. The syllabus is the same for both versions of the course.

  Course Description (6-day class, sample):

  Hands-on Workshop:
  Off-grid Power Systems for Remote Locations,
  Northern British Columbia, Canada

  If you are considering moving off the grid, or if you want to expand your electrical contracting or grid-tied solar business to include off-grid solar, wind and hydro power systems, this could be a dream workshop for you to attend! It will give you crucial hands-on experience in renewable energy work for remote villages in developing countries, disaster aid, remote fishing and hunting lodges, repeater stations, off-shore oil platforms, and more. But even if your off-grid plans simply include a residence far from the nearest city, you can learn from the ground up from folks who have been there and done that...for decades now, and still counting.

  When transport costs can exceed power system component costs in remote areas, the entire renewable energy system design and installation process changes dramatically, and that is a big topic during this seminar. However, all off-grid basics are covered in depth. Your questions and system design concerns are as much a part of this workshop curriculum as what we have planned. It costs over US$25 per gallon to bring gasoline for generators to this remote location by float plane and helicopter. Winter survival of these systems (cold temperatures, snowpack, wildlife damage) is also a critical part of their design. You will be part of the solution to these problems.

  This program is not for everyone. The cost is CAD$XXXX from Smithers, British Columbia, and class size is limited to 2 students. A large portion of this cost is for chartering a float plane to get you into and out of this remote river basin--the nearest road and power line are 75 miles away, and your flight from Smithers is 135 miles each way. This is truly pristine wilderness. There also happens to be an exclusive destination fly-fishing lodge located here, the Damdochax River Lodge, and they are installing small renewable energy systems at two locations this year. You will be involved from the ground up (with very dirty hands) in designing, installing and monitoring both of these systems, with ample classroom time to cover every aspect of off-grid renewable energy. Because of the remote setting and low number of students, you will have the opportunity to be one-on-one with the instructor answering your questions for your entire 6 days in the wilderness.

  You will need to be in decent (but by no means excellent) physical condition for this seminar, as access to the more remote system location is by foot only (4 miles). Balance of system components, PV modules, batteries, wire, and other heavy items will be moved to the site via helicopter sling load before your arrival, but you will need to carry your own (fairly heavy) backpack with sleeping bag, warm clothing, bad weather gear, electrical tools, camera, fly fishing gear, and so on. We will not have regular helicopter service during your stay, and a helicopter town run (for forgotten gear, tools or electrical supplies) costs over $500. You will carry bear spray (provided) on your belt 24/7, as this area is a seasonal grizzly bear migration corridor. Black bears, wolves and moose are also very common, but your safety is our top priority. Again -- this is not your usual renewable energy seminar.