Iowa Renewable Energy Association Announces Summer Solar Power Workshops

The New Bohemia Solar Project is a collaboration between I-Renew and Alliant Energy, The City of Cedar Rapids, the Thorland Company, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy. The partners have come together to erect a solar array in the "New Bohemia" neighborhood on the Southeast side of Cedar Rapids, which will provide 7200 watts of electricity to Alliant Energy's Second Nature customers while serving as an educational tool and a visual symbol of the neighborhoods rebirth as the creative center of Iowa's “Technology Corridor”.
"I-Renew  looks forward to working with the DOE, IDNR, the city, Alliant and Thorland to raise awareness of  available solar technology, and make a vision of Iowa's future a reality in downtown Cedar Rapids.  This is truly a win-win situation." Said Beverly Hannon, President of I-Renew.

The I-Renew Summer Solar workshops will be lead by Dennis Pottratz of GoSolar in Decorah, an experienced solar installer and one of the states leading experts on small scale solar and wind energy equipment. Dennis will lead classroom sessions beginning on two consecutive Friday evenings and by the following Sunday afternoons, the participants will have installed a complete system. Acording to Pottratz, “The photovoltaic system planned for the New Bohemia project combines amazing size and innovation. Soon to be the largest solar system in Iowa at 7.2 kW, it allows a comparison between single and dual tracking arrays (which will follow the sun through the day) and fixed arrays. All follow the popular method of integrating solar and grid power without the use of batteries. Participants will walk away with the knowledge needed to do the same at their location.”

When completed, the New Bohemia Solar Array will become a permanent installation, which will include educational displays for visitors year round.

______________________________________________________________________

For more information on the New Bohemia Solar Project, contact project manager Rich Dana at: (319) 530-6051 or email: rich@gotoplanb.net

For workshop information and registration, contact I-Renew membership coordinator Michelle Kenyon Brown at: (563) 432-6551 or email:irenew@irenew.org or visit www.irenew.org