April 13, 2012
9 AM - 5:30 PM
Brownstown, Indiana
Instructors: Dan Bartmann, Dan Fink

While solar energy is widely understood at the most basic level by the general public, wind energy at the small, home scale is far more complicated and is generally misunderstood by both the public and the news media. This course presents all the basics of wind power in an easy-to-understand format, then covers all the important details needed to design and install a successful small wind power system for home or business.

This workshop is in the classroom only, with an on-site tour of a functioning wind power system (a 12-foot diameter wind turbine on a 93 foot tilt-up tower).

The class is IREC / ISPQ accredited. Students who successfully complete it are eligible for 8 continuing education credit hours.

Please review our registration and refund policies before signing up.

Following this class, we will be teaching a 2-day Wind Turbine Towers and Installation class at the same site. It's hands-on, and highly recommended for those with a keen interest in small wind power. Unless this class fills up, it may be possible to register for it after the Intro to wind class.

Detailed information will be provided upon registration for the class, but don't hesitate to contact us before registering if you have any questions!

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Course Agenda / Syllabus

9:00 AM – 10 AM Introductions
Overview
What is electricity?
Units of measurement
Grid tie vs. off-grid

short break
10:05 AM – 11 AM Power available in the wind
Lift vs. drag
HAWT vs. VAWT
High wind protection

short break
11:05 AM – 12 PM Wind site assessment


12 PM – 1 PM Lunch! (movies, slideshows)


1 PM – 2 PM Available wind turbine overview

short break
2:05 PM - 3 PM Wind turbine towers

short break
3:05 PM – 4 PM Balance of system
System monitoring

short break
4:05 PM – 5:30 PM Conservation / efficiency
Economics
Resources
Discussion / Q&A
Course evaluations

The textbook for this class is "Homebrew Wind Power" by the instructors, Dan Bartmann and Dan Fink. You might be better prepared for class if you read the textbook in advance, however selected return copies are available at half price during the class.