New ways to bring solar energy to communities

Conference · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999

OSTI ID:20050801

Mastaitis, V; Thomas, S M

Efforts to educate decision-makers, planners and the public about the availability and benefits of solar energy use often have appeared disjointed and piecemeal. Recognizing that a more holistic approach was needed to bring solar energy into communities, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council devised an approach that assists government and community officials in bringing renewables into every aspect of community building--housing, recreation facilities, open spaces and businesses. This effort utilizes the Workshop in a Box (WIAB), a collection of informational tools packaged to make it easy to approach a community about using these technologies: climate-responsive buildings, solar electricity, solar water and pool heating and community energy systems (including wind and biomass systems). More important than the tools, however is the training, education, creation of a network of trainers and on-going communications among the group of trainers. The objectives of the WIAB program are: to continue efforts to provide a comprehensive approach in educating builders, planners, community officials and the public in order to bring renewable energy to communities; to continue outreach and building of a network of trainers in cities and communities who are then a resource for renewable energy information; to provide the most up-to-date information on renewables to cites and communities; and, to support the network of renewable energy educators in the states and communities. The intended audience is city, community and neighborhood officials willing to become trainers and educators for renewable energy. However, the Neighborhood Power Workshop in a Box has value and applicability for a wide range of people interested in fostering renewable energy use such as public and civic organizations, environmental groups, chapters of national renewable energy organizations, state energy officials and many others.

• Research Organization: Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Latham, NY (US)
• OSTI ID: 20050801
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
14 SOLAR ENERGY
17 WIND ENERGY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
BIOMASS
COMMUNITIES
EDUCATIONAL TOOLS
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
PUBLIC INFORMATION
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
WIND