Summer Workshops

Summer School is in session. Our calenders were full of interesting classes. We started off with a Solar Design and Installation Intensive 40 hour workshop. 5 days-8 hour days. We can now officially install a PV system for a house. Nikolai Tesla is our hero (the inventor of AC Power) Quite an interesting history between him and Thomas Edison. The dual between DC and AC Power! Quite the geeks we have become. I actually know the difference between watts, amps and volts and how to calculate it all. Upon completing the class we were eligible to sit for the NAPCEP exam. The designation shows we have taken the training and have a basic foundation for designing and installing photovoltaic systems. The most important thing we learned from the class was reduce your need for electricity by becoming more efficient. Trade in the electric coffee maker for a french press!

Next on our list was Solar Thermal-building a system specifically for hot water. This is the most efficient use of solar and can be done as primitively as using a black hose to an elaborate system with sensor and pumps. We are in the process of building a system for the tiny house. Hopefully we will have it completed before we leave.

Another facet of our "homesteading" and permaculture training was learning how to build an earth oven to make pizzas, breads, roasted vegetables and anything else. With our previous knowledge of how to make cobb, clay slip, and natural building, we were pros. So many people in Arizona use these solely as fireplaces but they make wonderful ovens. As a thermal mass, the ovens retain heat so well that after 3 or 4 hours after the fire has gone out you can still bake bread. The best thing is the oven can be built out of the clay soil from your own property and all you need is some water, sand, and fiber. Basically can be built for only pennies! You too can have brick-oven pizzas at home.




Roby and I are for hire if you want one built. Just let us know.

Our fall semester will include classes in DIY plumbing, electricity, carpentry, PV finance, Herbal medicine, bamboo building, mushroom cultivation, primitive technology, greywater systems. Anyone interested in a class check out the website solarliving.org and come for a visit.