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>PV 101: Introduction to Solar Electric for Homeowners
Sat, May 30
With the extension of the federal tax credit and generous state incentives, don’t wait to invest in solar! This lecture class is for the homeowner considering an investment in a solar electric system who wants to be well informed. You’ll learn a lot about this hot topic and we’ll help you understand the basics of how a solar electric system works, how to establish how many solar panels you’ll need in your array and the approximate costs. You will leave this class knowing how to estimate the array wattage for a PV system; and how to estimate production and system cost with available state rebates and the federal tax credit. We encourage (but don’t require) you to bring a copy of your utility bill as we will review household power usage issues during the class.
By the end of this class, you should understand:
- The benefits and drawbacks of solar systems
- The differences between solar electric and solar thermal systems
- How to tell if you have a good site for solar
- How to estimate array size
- How to estimate system costs, rebates and incentives
- Your next steps toward a PV system
Thinking of installing your own system? You'll want to take our 300 level series of at least Basic PV and Site Assessment and Intermediate PV Design and Installation.
Lecture Topics for PV 101 include:
- Photovoltaic (solar electric) technology
- Energy Storage
- Energy Efficiency
- Site requirements for PV
- Installation considerations
- PV system sizing
- PV system costs
- Rebates and tax incentives
- Working with an installer
| When: | Sat, May 30 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Cost: | $45 |
Instructors
Eric Pedersen
Complete Schedule for this Class
Important Information
Class enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, as class size is limited. To reserve a space please pay the entire tuition upon sign-up. Classes are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment, and you will be notified in advance if a class you had previously enrolled in is cancelled.
Location
Hudson, MA
Headquarters
The Alternative Energy Store
43 Broad Street
Suite A408
Hudson, MA 01749
Accommodations
The Holiday Inn Express in Hudson, MA, offers special room rates to Alternative Energy Store students! You will receive reservation information in a separate email shortly after enrolling in the class.
Directions
From Logan Airport, Boston, MA: (Total Est. Time: 50 minutes Total Est. Distance: 42.17 miles Map)
1: Start out going WEST toward TERMINAL C (Portions toll). 0.9 miles
2: Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto ramp. <0.1 miles
3: Merge onto I-90 W / MASS PIKE / MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE (Portions toll). 30.7 miles
4: Merge onto I-495 N via EXIT 11A toward MARLBOROUGH / N.H.-MAINE. 7.8 miles
5: Merge onto MA-85 CONN E / HUDSON ST via EXIT 25A toward RT-85 / HUDSON. 1.7 miles
6: Turn LEFT onto MA-85 / WASHINGTON ST. 0.1 miles
7: Turn RIGHT onto BROAD ST. 0.7 miles
8: End at 43 Broad St Hudson, MA 01749-2558
From 495:
Take Exit 25A onto Hudson Street. Go about a mile to the 2nd set of stop lights and take a left onto Route 85. Take your first right onto Broad Street. Follow Broad Street for about 3/4 of a mile. On the left hand side after you cross a small bridge you should see a large brick building, known as the Hudson Mills Building at 43 Broad Street. Park in the front and take the main lobby elevator to the 4th floor. Our office is on the far Southeast side of the building. Follow the signs to find your way.
From Other Points:
Please use this Mapquest map with our address as the destination (43 Broad Street, Hudson, MA 01749).
