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SUN-WIND NEWSLETTERRenewable Energy News & Events in the Puget Sound RainshadowSeptember 22, 2004 Hello Renewable Energy enthusiasts, In June Whidbey Sun & Wind moved into new digs at the corner of Wanamaker and Fort Casey Roads, three miles south of Coupeville. We poured a lot of sweat into remodeling the old Quonset hut and decaying barn into our new office and warehouse. It's a much larger space, great view, and just the right amount of funkiness for my taste. It's also better for receiving truck deliveries than our old office in town. And, the commute is about 30 seconds from my house! Also in June we welcomed Brian Vick to our staff to help manage our growing renewable energy business. Brian has lived from one end of Whidbey to the other for nearly 20 years, and now lives with his wife and two daughters in the Bayview area of South Whidbey. His future plans include building a straw bale home on the Island. Brian is very capable, doing just about anything that needs to be done… from building a portable solar power station, to rebuilding our web site, to managing orders, to fixing anything. I'm very thankful for his energy, creativity and skills. We have been busier than ever before this summer, installing a variety of solar photovoltaic, wind power, and solar-thermal (heating) systems. You'll be able to see many of the projects that we've been working on by going to the portfolio section of our web page (soon to be up). The web page has been completely redesigned and will be revitalized by next week. Events The American Solar Energy Society hosts its annual National Solar Homes and Buildings Tour October 2nd, from 10 to 4. There are tour sites throughout the northern Puget Sound region and State, including on Whidbey Island. For more information go to the Solar Washington web site, www.solarwashington.org and follow the links. There are two sites listed for Whidbey Island right now but should be several more next week. We are helping to coordinate the Solar Home tour sites on Whidbey Island. If you, or someone you know, is interested in having your solar home or building on the tour please contact us for more information. The date is only 10 days away so please let us know right away so that the information can be posted on the Solar Washington website in time. My own home will be on the Tour this year. Whidbey Sun & Wind will also be hosting an open house at our new office, right next door, on the same day. Please stop by, say hi and see what we've been up to and what we have in the works. The 5th annual Northwest Renewable Energy Festival in Walla Walla is happening this weekend, September 24th & 25th, www.nwrefest.org The Olympic Energy Expo in Port Angeles, scheduled for October 16th & 17th, is NOT happening this year. The organizers may try to reschedule for next spring. Workshops Solar Energy International is offering renewable energy workshops on Guemes Island, north of Anacortes in October. Whidbey Sun & Wind designed the wind and solar electric generation system for the off-grid home that will be completed during these workshops, and will be overseeing the installation. This will be a truly impressive installation, utilizing a 160-foot free-standing tower for both the wind turbine and solar modules.
There are also special workshop opportunities in Costa Rica early next year: Homebuilt Wind Generators Fundacion Durika, Costa Rica-www.durika.org Build wind generators from scratch with Hugh Piggott Monday - Sunday, February 21-27, 2005 * Tuition: US$650
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