Small Scale Renewable Energy Systems 101 Workshops
Small scale renewable energy is experiencing a renaissance in the U.S. at Federal, state and local policy are evolving to encourage renewable energy at the home, farm or business scale. This workshop will cover a wide variety of energy issues for local governments and stakeholders. We will be focusing on small energy systems including wind, solar and wood burners, the state and federal policy environment and options for local decision-makers. Small scale renewable energy presents challenges to local communities related to resource assessment, the economics of renewable energy, navigating the myriad of incentives, understanding net metering, and planning and zoning.
Communities that proactively plan will be better positioned to leverage the current opportunities and avoid issues arising from siting and installation regulation for small scale wind and solar applications reducing the potential for public conflict. Communities are well advised to consider adopting local policy and regulation before the potential for conflict arises. In addition, school districts and non profits can become positioned to leverage opportunities related to energy development. Join the dialogue to diversify your community’s energy supply.
To help communities address these challenges this workshop will cover:
• The basics of small scale renewable energy.
• Renewable energy resource distribution.
• Federal and State incentives including
government and school opportunities.
• Connection of small systems to the grid and
net-metering.
• Solar access issues.
• Planning and zoning for small wind systems.
• Regulating wood burners.
• Example ordinances.
Click HERE to view brochure
Locations
The workshops will be held from 6pm-9:30pm on the following dates at the following locations:
December 2, 2009 - Marquette, Ramada Inn, 412 W Washington St, Marquette
December 3, 2009 - Traverse City, Haggerty Center - Great Lakes Campus, 715 E. Front
December 7, 2009 - East Tawas, East Bay Resort, 300 E. Bay
December 7, 2009 - Petoskey, Emmet County Community Building, 1129 Charlevoix Avenue
December 9, 2009 - Manistee, City Hall, 70 Maple Street
December 9, 2009 - Bad Axe, Huron County Expo Center, 170 W. Soper Road
December 9, 2009 - Grand Rapids, Kent County MSUE, 775 Ball Ave.
December 10, 2009 - Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan Community College, Room F117
December 10, 2009 - Okemos, Holiday Inn Express (Comfort Inn), 2209 University Park Drive
Registration & Fees
The cost to attend this workshop is $65 before November 15th and $75 After. The MCP Cost is $55 before November 15th and $65 after. Click HERE for online registration.
Look for upcoming regional workshops in our events calendar.
Materials from past presentations will be posted on this page as downloadable pdf’s.