Renewable Energy for the Developing World -- Hands On - CO
This four-day workshop will include classroom sessions and labs, and will
have a strong hands-on component. The workshop will focus on three main areas:
solar electricity, solar hot water, and solar cooking. There will also be survey
coverage of wind and hydro-electric systems, and social and financial issues
surrounding RE in the developing world.
The workshop will be held at Rancho Mastatal, an environmental learning and
sustainable living center, retreat and lodge located in the last virgin
rainforest of Costa Rica's Puriscal County. The property shares a significant
border with the splendid La Cangreja National Park, a protected area providing
habitat for a number of endangered animals and flora, and containing some 2,000
plant species and varied fauna such as 2-toed sloths, trogons, scarlet macaws,
boa constrictors, toucans, poison-dart frogs, blue morpho butterflies, motmots,
white-faced capuchin monkeys, coyotes, and anteaters. Rancho Mastatal maintains
13-kilometers of rainforest trails, connecting to a network of footpaths in La
Cangreja.
Topics Include
2 days focused on the design and installation of simple solar-electric systems,
including an installation of a small PV lighting system.
2 days focused on solar hot water, including construction and installation of a
batch water heater.
1 day focused on solar cooking, including building simple cookers and cooking
simple dishes.
1 day focused on other RE energy technologies and issues.