I-Renew Timeline

January 1992 The Eastern Iowa Renewable Energy Association was formed. Co-founders Tom Deves and Tom Snyder. Jim Sievers was first president. In Summer 1992, Home Power magazine ran a full-page ad as "the Iowa Renewable Energy Association."
October 17, 1992 1st I-Renew Energy Expo, a one-day affair at Jim Sievers’ property on Edgewood Road, Cedar Rapids. A 17.5kW photovoltaic array and 2.5kW wind generator displayed by Lake Michigan Wind & Sun.
August, 1993 I-Renew poured five cubic yards of cement in the old "Fly Ash" disposal area at Hawkeye Downs for a 3kW windmill donated by Tom Deves. First legal experience with "Fly Ash" disposal problem from previous electrical producers in Cedar Rapids.
September 25-26,1993 2nd I-Renew Energy Expo, Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids. Two-day affair, with five tents for 31 workshops, plus many displays in an open horse barn. All electric power was supplied by Chad Lampkin with 1.5kW photovoltaic array and I-Renew's 3kW Whisper wind generator.
September 10-11, 1994 3rd I-Renew Energy Expo, Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids. Electric power again supplied by 1.5kW PV array & I-Renew's 3kW wind generator. 30 workshops.
Earthday (April), 1995 Tom Deves officially displays his first electrathon car at Kennedy Mall in Dubuque. Tom Snyder receives warning while driving electrathon car on Mall property.
September 9-10, 1995 4th I-Renew Energy Expo, Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids. Original 1903 electric car ran on half-mile race track. First I-Renew Electrathon classes held at Expo.
June 1996 Don Laughlin and Tom and Dave Snyder trekked to Long Island, NY and dismantled a 116-panel photovoltaic array (+ many parts) donated to I-Renew after a full year of “paperwork” by Tom Snyder, with help from the ISU's Department of Energy lab in Ames. Two New York I-Renew members showed up to help. Two weeks later, the Iowa National Guard transported the entire Semi load back to Cedar Rapids.
September 1996 5th I-Renew Energy Expo, Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids. Clarke Beasley from Australia displayed his award (and race) winning Electrathon car "Slingshot One." A total of 39 workshops and 46 vendors and displays. Second I-Renew Electrathon classes held at the Expo.
May 17, 1997 The I-Renew Iowa Electrathon 1st official race held at Hawkeye Downs with the cooperation of UNI's Center for Energy and Environmental Education.
September 7-8, 1997 I-Renew photovoltaic workshop at Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids. A total of 24 Brookhaven PV panels installed. Dennis Pottratz, instructor. Article in Home Power magazine, issue #63.
August 1997 Another 24 Brookhaven PV panels installed on specially rebuilt boat trailer and officially christened the “Solar Traveler.” Work performed by Don Laughlin, Kirk Boyd, and Pat Mulligan. Excel Tech donated a 4 kW inverter.
August 23-24, 1997 6th I-Renew Energy Expo, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Iowa City. Electricity supplied by I-Renew Solar Traveler. A total of 42 workshops and 63 vendors and displays.
July 19-25, 1998 I-Renew members Don Laughlin and Tom Snyder took the I-Renew "Solar Traveler" on a six-day RAGBRAI tour across Iowa with 10,000 bicyclists). Some16 kW of electricity was supplied for Pat Hazel and many other bands during the trip, proving to Iowans that photovoltaics can work. Article in Home Power magazine, issue # 68.
August 1998-2002 I-Renew displayed the Solar Traveler at the Iowa State Fair for five years running, supplying electricity for stage acts.
September 19-20, 1998 7th I-Renew Energy Expo, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Iowa City. A total of 48 alternative energy workshops and 42 booths and displays.
May 1999 I-Renew sponsored two strawbale building classes at Prairiewoods Franciscan Center. Later a second I-Renew workshop was held to install a photovoltaic system donated by I-Renew.
September 23-26, 1999. 8th I-Renew Energy Expo, Cedar Rapids. A four-day affair organized by Jeff Johnson as the"All Iowa Energy Expo."
August 15, 2000 9th I-Renew Energy Expo, Waverly College, Waverly, IA. Organized by Dennis Pottratz and Cynthia Kay, with co-sponsors Waverly Light & Power, which gave tours of their hydroelectric and wind systems.
June 29-July 1, 2001 Don Laughlin's 10 kW wind workshop, Decorah, IA. Class led by Dennis Pottratz, with 13 attendees. Article in Home Power magazine, issue # 92.
September 8-9, 2001 10th I-Renew Energy Expo, Prairiewoods Franciscan Center, Hiawatha, IA. Richard Perez, editor of Home Power magazine, Ashland, OR was a workshop presenter and keynote speaker. More than 60 workshops and 45 exhibitors. Article in Home Power magazine, issue # 87
June 15-16, 2002 Solar domestic hot water/heat workshop, Garrison, IA. Presented by Tom Snyder
September 7-8, 2002 11th I-Renew Energy Expo. 66 workshops and over 60 exhibitors
June 2003 Solar DHW class, Phil Scott, Fairfield, Iowa, Tom Snyder
September 6-7, 2003 12th Energy Expo, with 70 workshops and 51 exhibitors.
February 19, 2010 I-Renew continues to have annual Energy Expos, renewable energy tours, and training workshops. Please bear with us as we update our historical timeline to reflect our more recent activities.