Solar energy workshop, tour offered in Morris

The University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) is hosting a solar energy workshop in Morris on Tuesday, June 12.

Several small-scale solar energy systems are in use in the Morris area presenting a rare learning opportunity. Workshop attendees will tour five unique solar energy systems including a solar air conditioning system using evacuated tube collectors at the WCROC office building. The other systems include pool heating, domestic hot water, and electric PV systems.

The solar resource in Minnesota and the technology used to collect it will be thouroughly explained, and performance data from the local installations will be presented. There will be an introduction to free, web-based modeling tools that can be used by consumers to predict the performance of solar energy systems. Minnesota solar manufacturers will be on hand, and there will be a keynote address by University of Minnesota professor Jeffrey Bielicki.

The workshop is open to the public and anyone interested in solar energy is encouraged to attend. Online registration is requested by June 1 at http://renewables.morris.umn.edu.

Tags: regional news, news, updates, solar, energy