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SOLAR 2007 Presentations

Presentations will open when you click on the presentation title or speaker name. If we did not collect the presentation, or if the speaker did not give us permission to post the presentation, the title or name will not be a live link.

Plenary Sessions at SOLAR 2007 focused on the conference theme, and showcased speakers of the highest caliber – the acknowledged leaders of the Renewable Energy community.

Forums are organized by experts, advocates and decision makers from around the US and the World. Forums feature panel discussions, debates, tutorials, and updates on a broad spectrum of topics.

Technical Sessions consist of oral and poster presentations on the latest research,  successful projects and projects that taught valuable lessons, marketing studies from different RE sectors, state and local government initiatives, successful advocacy efforts, and the state-of-the-art in manufacturing, research and development, resource assessment and building measurement and design. All Technical Session Presenters also prepared a paper which was published in the SOLAR 2007 Conference Proceedings. To purchase the proceedings, contact Dona McClain >>

SOLAR 2007 speakers generally prepared a Powerpoint presentation. If we received permission from the presenter, the Powerpoint presentation is available here. Click on the title of the Presentation to open a PDF version.

Don't see a link to your presentation? Contact Becky Campbell-Howe >>

 

Sunday, July 8

6:30 - 8:00pm

Opening Plenary

Moderator - Overview of SOLAR 2007
Bill Spratley, Executive Director, Green Energy Ohio and SOLAR 2007 Conference Chair

  • Peter Lawson Jones, Cuyahoga County Comissioner
  • Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones, United States Congresswoman
  • Ohio Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher
  • About the American Solar Energy Society
    John Reynolds    , FAIA, Chair, ASES Board of Directors
  • Ronn Richard, President and CEO, the Cleveland Foundation

Monday, July 9

8:30 - 10:00am

Plenary Session - Economic Development Potential of Renewable Energy

10:30am to 12:00pm

Forum - Bringing “Solar Convection” Technology into the Mainstream: Small Wind Turbine Installer Forum

Moderated by: Paul Gipe, Ontario Sustainable Energy Association

Attendees will gain insight on the current strategies employed by successful small wind installers, answer poignant questions on the challenges of installing small turbines and discuss the upcoming NABCEP certification for small wind installers. Presentations will describe advantages and expenses of installing with various utilities and counties and identify winning strategies they have used to open up the local market. Speakers will briefly review the turbines they install and identify the site-specific factors that can affect installation and turbine performance (obstructions, tower height, setback requirements, etc.), recommendations for properly remanufacturing used equipment, required maintenance, and safety requirements (including work platforms, fall-arrest anchors, and fall-arrest systems). Attendees will be given ample time for questions and interactive discussion with panel members.

Speakers Include:

  • Erika Weliczko, REpower SOLUTIONS
  • Small Wind in Ohio
    Geoff Greenfield, Third Sun Solar & Wind Power Ltd.
  • Aaron Godwin, The Renaissance Group

Forum - Overcoming State Regulatory Barriers to the Successful Development of Solar Projects

Moderator: Janine Migden-Ostrander, Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel

Many states face barriers to the development of solar energy – inflexible net metering laws, lack of support in the state legislature and lack of interest by utilities. Various regulatory strategies have been successful at overcoming these barriers and promoting solar energy implementation in the electricity sector. Renewable portfolio standards (RPS) have been in effect in several markets for a number of years. Favorable net metering laws, interconnection standards and standby rates have allowed technology such as photovoltaics to become a viable option for distributed generation market development. This session will review experiences with RPS and solar distributed generation to date, focusing on challenges and efforts to overcome them.

Speakers Include:

Forum - Real Stories from Real Buildings

Moderatred by: Nicholas Rajkovich, Society of Building Science Educators

This session will present findings from selected building case studies conducted by students, faculty and practitioners using methods and equipment from the Vital Signs and Agents of Change curriculum projects. This session is jointly sponsored by the Society of Building Science Educators (SBSE). The projects to be presented take a scientific look at building performance. The concept is simple: visit real buildings; make observations; develop questions and hypotheses about performance; make measurements and talk to building users; develop understandable conclusions that can inform future design efforts and building operations.

Presentations Include:

Forum - Women in Solar Forum and Networking Luncheon

Moderated by: Marlene Brown, New Mexico Solar Energy Association

Calling all you women in solar! This year’s “Women in Solar” Forum will highlight amazing women from Ohio and listen to their successes in solar. Are you working in the solar industry or interested in getting started? We are again honored to be in a beautiful state with many women working in the solar industry. The forum will be followed by an exciting “Women in Solar” luncheon. The luncheon will have a keynote speaker and there will be plenty of time to network. All are welcome to attend.

Speakers Include:

Technical Session - Solar Thermal Technical Advances

Session Chair: Gary Vliet, University of Texas

Technical Session - Innovation in Solar Financing

Session Chair: Steven Letendre, Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development

Technical Session - Design Strategies and Tools

Session Chair: Pablo La Roche, Cal Poly Pomona

12:30pm to 1:30pm

Poster Sessions

Join poster authors for a lively and brief overview of their work, followed by adjournment to the posters for further discussion.

Technical Session - Annual Posters

Session Chair: Byron Winn, Colorado State University

Technical Session - Policy & Marketing and Passive Posters

2:00pm to 3:30pm

Forum - Growing Renewable Energy Markets Through State Policy: A Look What’s Happened, What’s Happening and Where to Go From Here

Moderated by: Bernadette Del Chiaro, Clean Energy Advocate, Environment California

Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said state legislatures were the "laboratories of democracy" because of their willingness and ability to address urgent issues with new and innovative policy approaches. No issue area better elicits this dynamic than energy. For better and sometimes for worse, the states have been the incubators of new initiatives to change the way we consume, use, generate and sell the energy needed to run our modern world. While the tides are changing in D.C., leadership will continue to come from the states in the years to come. Much can be learned from the states that have taken the lead in promoting clean energy alternatives. This forum will study 3-4 state clean energy initiatives evaluating them for policy impact and political strategy.

Presentations Include:

Forum - JOB CREATION & YOU - Job Opportunities in Renewable Energy / Energy Efficiency

Organized by: Paulette Middleton, Panorama Pathways

Welcome students and others looking for new opportunities!! The ASES Divisions Committee is providing the most up-to-date information on general job possibilities in a wide array of sectors.

Come with interest and questions. ASES division representatives will make brief presentations about current and near term job opportunities in their topical areas. Handouts with summary information and contact information will be provided.

Forum - Residential BIPV Installation Details

Moderated by: Steve Heckeroth, ASES RFT Division

Residential BIPV products have the ability to provide distributed generation (DG) with zero emissions. The cost, weight and aesthetics of traditional PV panels mounted on top of common roofing products have presented significant barriers to their wide-spread application. New combination PV-roofing products have the potential to provide low-cost aesthetically pleasing residential DG solutions for the mass market. The forum will include brief presentations by several cutting edge residential BIPV installers and experts followed by a discussion on products that can turn homes into zero emission net energy producers.
Presentations Include:

Forum - The Importance of Demonstration Projects in Providing Education and Awareness of Renewable Energy to the Public

Moderated by: Richard Stuebi, The Cleveland Foundation

Demonstration projects are an effective way to educate the public on renewable energy. Such projects are often installed in high profile locations which are accessible to large numbers of people and attract media attention. In this forum several demonstration projects will be presented. Learn about the marketing tools and educational programs which have been implemented by these high profile projects. Interactive displays, tours, websites and printed media are some of the strategies covered. Best practices and recommendations will be offered.

Presentations Include:

Technical Session - Solar Thermal Applications

Session Chair: Cheryl Kennedy, National Renewable Energy Lab

Technical Session - Wind Power Markets and Trends

Session Chair: Trudy Forsyth, National Renewable Energy Lab

Technical Session - High Performance Building Case Studies

Session Chair: Liliana Beltran, Texas A&M University

Tuesday, July 10

8:30am - 10:00am

Plenary Session - State and Private Programs and Jobs Created by Them

10:30am to 12:00pm

Forum - Educational Programs That Are Moving the Midwest Renewable Energy Market Forward

Moderated by: Katy Matthai, Midwest Renewable Energy Association

Midwest chapters of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) share the secrets of their successful educational programs. Four ASES chapters will highlight their programs that link renewable energy experts with consumers, professionals, and policy makers. The innovative initiatives include introductory-level community courses, intensive training for installers, and advocacy programs. Learn about their best practices, and walk away with tools and resources to help move the renewable energy market in your area.

Presentations Include:

  • Solar 101 Program
    Mark Burger, Illinois Solar Energy Association
  • MREA Certification & Training Programs
    Katy Matthai,Midwest Renewable Energy Association
  • Solar Challenge in Northeast Ohio
    Athan Barkoukis, Green Energy Ohio
  • Go Solar Michigan
    Jennifer Alvarado, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association

Forum - Legacy Schools

Moderated by: Blanche Sheinkopf, The Sheinkopf Group

This forum will address the components that make the ASES Legacy School program an educational success. Topics will include the school selection process, funding and donations, teacher training, classroom connections and curriculum, technical/installer training, installation of photovoltaics at the school and ongoing data monitoring.

Speakers Include:

Forum - Seeing is Believing: Going Mainstream with Small Wind

Moderated by: Meg Gluckman, eFormative Options, LLC

In 2006, Time Magazine named a small wind turbine as one of its Top-100 Inventions of the Year. Does this mean small wind has made it mainstream? Maybe not yet, but there are many efforts underway to continue moving in that direction. This panel will look at the work underway to: help customers compare products and learn about financial incentives, use high-visibility media like popular magazines and TV for marketing, and incorporate wind energy, the science and the social issues, into education. Audience members will be invited to offer additional suggestions for helping small wind move into the mainstream market.

Speakers Include:

Technical Session - Resource Measurements

Session Chair: Richard Perez, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, SUNY Albany

Technical Session - Solar Thermal Design

Session Chair: William Bennett, University of Hawaii

Technical Session - Designing Comfort

Session Chair: James Wasley, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

2:00pm to 3:30pm

Forum - Eliminating Skepticism in the Economical Application of Solar Energy

Moderated by: Kenneth Borah, Karpinski Engineering

Presentations Include:

Forum - Greening the Curriculum: Process, Practice and Potential

Moderated by: Michael Zaretsky, University of Cincinnati - DAAP

In the last ten years, the design and planning professions have fundamentally transformed as a response to client demand, recognition of short and long-term financial benefits and consciousness of the impacts of design and construction on climate change. The proliferation of the LEED building rating system has given the populace a measurable sign of success in the muddy waters of "green design." However, curricular change in architectural education has not responded as quickly. Students are demanding more courses in green design, qualified and enthusiastic faculty, and tools, resources, and better facilities. This forum will address curricular change and attempt to provide some tangible solutions for design educators, students and practitioners.

Speakers Include:

  • Leonard Bachman, Associate Professor of Arch., University of Houston
  • Mary Guzowski, Associate Professor of Architecture, University of Minnesota School of Architecture in the College of Design
  • Bruce Haglund, Professor of Architecture, University of Idaho
  • Tom Kimmerer, AASHE

Forum - Home Grown Bio-Fuels

Moderated by: Dr. Jack Martin

This forum will examine several examples of how biofuel groups got started, and quickly grew into diverse programs expanding ways of making biodiesel available to people. The forum members will illustrate their trials and tribulations of their initial start up and growth. Attendees will listen to their shared history and support, present dilemmas and vision for the future.

Presentations Include:

Forum - Spirit and Sustainability

Moderated by: Stephen Sargent, Sargent Associates

Sustainability has many elements. Some of these involve the physical world, such as population, resources, and environment. There are also non-physical, spiritual elements, well described in the recent book by David Korten, “The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community.” It provides a guide to the changes in thinking that will be necessary to move us toward a more sustainable planet. This forum will examine some of those concepts, as well as other spiritual aspects of sustainability. This year, as every year for the past ten, it will provide a lift to those who continue to work towards a sustainable future.

Speakers Include:

Technical Session - Resource Modeling

Session Chair: David Renné, National Renewable Energy Lab

Technical Session - Maximizing Solar and Efficiency

Session Chair: Irene Stillings, The California Center for Sustainable Energy

Technical Session - Daylighting Tools and Case Studies

Session Chair: Harvey Bryan, Arizona State University

4:00pm to 5:30pm

Forum - The Basics of Successful Passive Solar Design

Moderated by: Dan Chiras, Sustainable Systems Design, Inc.

Passive solar design provides year-round comfort and cost-saving performance with little or no additional upfront cost. Although passive solar design is simple in concept, there are many ways designers and builders compromise the performance and comfort of their homes. In this workshop, we’ll explore passive solar design guidelines; design options, common design “mistakes,” and energy software that can help us achieve optimal performance and comfort at minimal cost.

Presentations Include:

Forum - Community Wind and the USDA Farm Bill

Moderated by: Trudy Forsyth, NREL

Forum - Opportunities for Solar Thermal in Industrial Process Applications

Moderated by: Lori Glover, SOLID Energy, Inc., Arizona

What things to the solar community, industry, utilities, engineers, and government entities need to know to apply solar thermal to industrial processes?  The forum will discuss how best to achieve: 1) reliability, 2) cost-effectiveness, and 3) financial support.  The forum will also provide examples of effective industrial applications and general guidance on self-assessment for industrial companies.  The forum will also address the value of indirect benefits such as RECs (renewable energy credits), carbon credits, NOx allowances, offsets, and benefits to local economies and the evolution of a market for emission offsets that solar thermal systems generate.

Presentations Include:

  • Commercial Solar Thermal for Industrial Processes: Lessons from the EU
    H. John Ellers, S.O.L.I.D. International, GmbH
  • Financing and Incentive Sources for Commercial Solar Thermal Process Applications
    Carlo La Porta, Capital Sun Group, Ltd.
  • On-Site Concentrating Solar Thermal for Industry
    Arnold Leitner, SkyFuel, Inc.

Forum - Traction Battery Development

Moderated by: Steve Heckeroth, ASES RFT Division

Plug-in vehicles have the ability to reduce C02 emissions when they are plugged into the grid and eliminate emissions altogether when they are charged from renewable energy resources like photovoltaics and wind. The cost and weight of portable electronics batteries has quickly created whole new industries, yet heavy lead-acid traction batteries have remained the same for over 100 years the forum will showcase exciting new developments in traction battery technology. Several cutting edge traction battery manufacturers and Argonne National Labs will make brief presentations that will be followed by a discussion on developments that have the potential to make our transportation system zero emission.

Speakers Include:

Technical Session - Resource Data Applications

Session Chair: Frank Vignola, University of Oregon

Technical Session - Policy Perspectives

Session Chair: Rusty Haynes, North Carolina Solar Center

Technical Session - Daylighting and Glare

Session Chair: Murray Milne, University of California Los Angeles

Wednesday, July 11

8:30am - 10:00am

Plenary Session - Workforce Development

10:30am to 12:00pm

Forum - The PV Experience Curve: What Technology Will Bring Us the Lowest Cost Panels and Grid Competitive Electricity?

Moderated by: Alvin Compaan, Department of Physics and Astronomy

PV module manufacturing has followed a learning curve that shows the cost of PV panels drops to about 80% for each doubling of cumulative production. This forum will review the learning curve data and then will attempt to predict how much additional module cost reduction can occur and which technology will be the first to provide consumer electricity that competes successfully with traditional central-station power. Will it be modules assembled from silicon wafers (first generation)? Thin-film modules of amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper indium diselenide (second generation)? Or will it be self-assembled organic PV or some other third-generation material?

Presentations Include:

Forum - Solar Thermal Economic Development Strategies for Cities and Public Utilities

Moderated by: Stephanie Strong, Entrepreneurs for Sustainability

The growth of the solar thermal industry can provide a region with high quality jobs, increased revenues from taxes and a reduction in dependency on foreign oil. Municipalities and public utilities have an interest in trying to encourage the growth of this industry. Developing strategies to help expand the growth of this industry is good for the environment, economy, and society. This forum will explore various models developed by a water utility, City and electric utilities to promote economic development and jobs in their local communities.

Speakers Include:

Forum - Talkin’ About Peak Generation: Could a Renewable Capacity-Based RPS Rock?

Moderated by: Jill Cliburn, Cliburn and Associates and Electric SUN

Even as Renewable Portfolio Standard policies begin to sweep the nation, solar PV remains an underutilized peak-focused resource. That’s because RPS is typically geared toward kilowatt-hours, not kilowatts. In fact, some utilities are building new, carbon-emitting power plants, even as they meet RPS targets. This forum will explore prospects for a utility peak-capacity based RPS as an adjunct or enhancement to current strategies. The forum will address technical and political parameters of a capacity-base RPS, which could advance cost-effective solar development, maximize integrated solar/load management and solar/efficiency strategies, and build a stronger constituency for an aggressive national RPS.

Presentations Include:

Technical Session - PV Systems and Cells

Session Chair: Richard King, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Technical Session - Education and Training

Session Chair: Blanche Scheinkopf, The Sheinkopf Group

Technical Session - Getting to 2010

Session Chair: Elizabeth Lewis, Florid A&M University

2:00pm to 3:30pm

Forum - As Green as it Gets? Working To Make Green Jobs Even Greener

Organized by: Paulette Middleton, Panorama Pathways

Looking for new ways to green-up your work life? Wondering what others are doing to accelerate use of renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, and expand conservation practices on the job? Join in this interactive forum guaranteed to generate new ideas for greener transportation to work and getting greener at your office be it a home business, large company, small business, university / college / K-12 setting, government facility, or something in between. We will start with a few introductory comments and questions (15 minutes tops) and then get down to serious discussion. Bring your ideas, questions and contact information for continue E-exchanges. We will bring food for thought.

Speakers Include:

  • Erin Middleton, University of California Santa Cruz
  • Rebecca Valentine
  • Rob Nelson, Heliakos

Forum - The Cost of Tackling Climate Change with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Moderated by: Chuck Kutscher, NREL

In January, ASES released a landmark report, “Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.,” that describes how energy efficiency and renewable energy can provide the needed reductions in U.S. carbon emissions. But what will this cost and how does it compare to the cost of not acting? Speakers will address these issues from several perspectives. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion.

Speakers Include:

Forum - Solar Thermal – An Untapped Market Solution

Moderated by: Tim Merrigan, National Renewable Energy Lab

Get into hot water! Solar thermal heating is attracting renewed attention in today’s renewable market, and with good reason! Equipment is reliable, cost-effective, and available off-the-shelf. Advanced metering allows accurate measurement and reporting of system performance. Innovative business models are creating new market opportunities. These factors make solar thermal a strong contributor for meeting RPS requirements, supplying green energy and creating RECs. Come and hear what the major players from utilities, industry and trade associations see as the future of solar water heating. Back by popular demand – RECs from Lakeland Electric’s solar program will be given away to 10 lucky participants during this forum.

Presentations Include:

Forum - Utility Solar Programs: Finding a Model that Works

Moderated by: Mike Taylor, Solar Electric Power Association

The Solar Program Options Tool (SPOT) is a new online tool designed to help electric utilities assess and prioritize solar programs, activities, and incentives. Users take a short online survey that evaluates options based on conditions specific to their utility’s solar motivation. A utility under a regulatory solar requirement will have a very different SPOT assessment (utility ownership, third-party contract, customer incentives, solar energy credits) than one looking to improve customer relations (green pricing, customer incentives, solar schools). SPOT ultimately helps electric utilities and stakeholders prioritize the wide variety of potential solar programs, incentives, and actions for further investigation.

Speakers Include:

Technical Session - PV Performance Evaluation

Session Chair: Marlene Brown, Sandia National Labs

  • Performance Assessment of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Modules in Hot and Humid Climate of Florida
    N. Dhere, A. Kaul, B. Kumar, S. Khatri and S. Pethe, Florida Solar Energy Center
  • Development of a Retractable PV Array for Easy Retrofitting of Existing Homes
    D. Heidenreich, IPESsol Inc. EBO Group Inc. and PT Tech Inc.
  • The First Major Application of Photovoltaics to the Broiler Poultry Industry
    C. Sherring, D. Williams and M. Ingles, WorldWater & Power Corp.
  • Experience with Light-weight Solar Powered Electric Vehicles Running on Less than 5 Horsepower
    A. Schoenberg, Sunzeecar LLC
  • Solar Energy Project for Nonprofit Housing
    R. Tinker, Kelly-Tinker Architects/Archiopolis, LLC and B. Lowstuter, Clean Energy Systems

Technical Session - Building Components

Session Chair: Bruce Haglund, University of Idaho

Technical Session - Design Narratives

Session Chair: Marc Schiler, University of Southern California

4:00pm to 5:30pm

Forum - A Look at Net Metering

Moderated by: Tom Starrs, PPM Energy, Inc.

The forum will consist of 4 short presentations: An overview and highlights of net metering programs around the country; first-hand insights into working through net metering issues with utilities and utility commissions; how to design effective net metering campaigns; and a look at net metering from an installer's perspective. The presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion and audience Q&A session.

Presentations include:

Forum - The Aesthetics of Energy: Art, Public Participation, and Education

Moderated by: Kathryn Janda, Oberlin College

Public acceptance of renewable energy systems is a critical part of increasing their adoption. Although many solar enthusiasts believe that renewable technologies are innately more beautiful than the smokestacks they replace, any changes to the status quo must successfully weather public debate and discussion. This forum describes new forms of art and music that articulate the nuances of renewable energy in ways the public can interpret and use.

Speakers Include:

Forum - Creating Solar “Buzz” - How to Market Solar On the Grassroots Level

Moderated by: Kathleen Cunningham Faraone, Renewable Energy Long Island

As early adopters, solar home-owners are generally tech savvy, informed individuals.  Their testimony and word of mouth recommendations are very influential in promoting solar energy on the grassroots level.  They are a credible, trustworthy and free marketing tool for solar advocates and industry alike, especially when their talents are organized through a variety of effective programs.

Based on the notion that product users benefit the overall economics of that product by generating a positive feedback loop, this forum will demonstrate the success of “buzz” campaigns as educational and marketing outreach in the Northeast.

Presentations Include:

Forum - Quality Assessment for Renewable Energy Practitioners, Products & Services - Update & Trends on Certification Activities

Moderated by: Jane Weissman, Interstate Renewable Energy Council

Certification schemes for solar and small wind products, installers and training programs have raised the bar for professional services for the renewable energy industries. Some of these third-party certification corporations have been operating for a long time; others are relatively new and establishing a track record; and still others are on the drawing boards. This forum will provide an update on quality assurance programs and plans for photovoltaic practitioners, solar thermal practitioners, solar thermal collectors and systems, photovoltaic modules, small wind turbines, small wind practitioners, and training programs and instructors.

Presentations Include:

Technical Session - PV Code and Grid Interactions

Session Chair: William Young, Jr., Florida Solar Energy Center

Technical Session - High Performance Residential Case Studies

Session Chair: Lew Pratsch, US DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

6:30 - 8:00pm

Plenary Session - Emerging Transportation

Moderated by Steven Heckeroth, ASES RFST Division

8:15 - 10:00pm

Plenary Session - Emerging Architecture

Thursday, July 12

8:30am to 10:00am

Forum - Policies Needed to Tackle Climate Change with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Moderated by: Chuck Kutscher, NREL

ASES has shown that energy efficiency and renewable energy can provide all or most of the carbon reductions needed in the U.S. to fight global warming. But what policy measures are needed to support this level of deployment. Experts from the different technologies and from the financial world will cover both broadly beneficial and technology-specific policy measures that are needed.

Speakers Include:

Forum - Solar Water Heating – Installation Issues

Moderated by: Alison Mason, SunJuice

This forum will address system installations and lessons learned, solar system overheating protection, system working fluids and corrosion prevention, installation training, heat exchanger technology, use of PEX, reliability of subcomponents (flow meters, check valves, etc.), roof penetrations and packaged systems/ preferred products.
NOTE: A written record of questions and answers generated in this session was kept. Click here for the notes >>

Panelists include:

Forum - Teaching Sustainability in Schools of Architecture: Models from the Ecology and Design Report

Moderated by: James Wasley, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

This forum will showcase innovative ‘green’ architectural coursework recognized in Ecology and Design: Ecological Literacy and Architecture Education (AIA, 2006). The goal of the AIA Committee on the Environment’s ‘Ecological Literacy Project’ has been to assess the state of ecological literacy in architecture education as part of a long-term effort to inject sustainability principles into architecture education in the United States. The purpose of this forum is not to discuss any single curriculum effort in detail, but to present a mosaic of current activities as the basis for an ongoing discussion of the future of environmentally progressive architectural education.

Presentations Include:

Forum - Update on the New Version of the National Solar Radiation Database (Session 1)

Moderated by: James Bing, New Energy Options, Inc.

The newly updated 1991-2005 National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) is now available to designers, engineers, educators, and researchers. The update of the old 1961-1990 NSRDB includes hourly data for more than 1400 sites in the U.S., Caribbean, and Guam, and features a new multi-year 10km gridded data set for most areas. The NSRDB Update Forum will present background on the design and production of the data set, a discussion of the data quality and its uncertainty, demonstrations of NSRDB applications, and methods of data access.

Presentations Include:

Technical Session - Renewable Conversions and Hydrogen

Session Chair: Susan Hock, National Renewable Energy Lab

Technical Session - Expanding U.S. Solar Markets

Session Chair: Sara Ward, Ohio Department of Development's Office of Energy Efficiency

Technical Session - Sun, Sky and and Urban Environments

Session Chair: Gregory Thomson, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

  • Microclimates and Thermal Comfort in Outdoor Pedestrian Spaces A Dynamic Approach Assessing Thermal Transients and Adaptability of the Users
    F. Ahmed-Ouameur and A. Potvin, Université Laval, Canada
  • Post-Treatment Analysis of the Glare Remediation of the Walt Disney Concert Hall
    J. Suk, M. Schiler, and K. Kensek, University of Southern California
  • Defining Standard Skies for Better Daylight Design in Hong Kong
    E. Ng, V. Cheng, A. Gadi and Z. He, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, PR China
  • Applications for Light Weight Flexible Thin Film Photovoltaics
    J. McCabe, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.

10:30am to 12:00pm

Forum - Advanced Solar Thermal’s Potential to Meet California’s Global Solutions

Moderated by: V. John White, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT)

Nearly seventy percent of California’s green house gas (GHG) emissions come from fossil fuels. Under AB 32 the use of fossil fuels must decline while demand for energy will grow due to the state’s population increases. Non-fossil resources must increase rapidly in the electricity and thermal sector to meet the state’s climate change goals. The forum will address: 1) GHG reduction potential for distributed advanced solar thermal technologies in CA and selected states 2) current solar thermal programs in CA and AZ and 3) the European Union’s solar thermal plan and 4) projections for broader application in the United States.

Speakers Include:
Overview of Forum >>

  • Ken May, IST/Solucar
  • Lori Glover, Solid USA
  • Rachel McMahon or Paul Veracruzen, CEERT
  • Sanford Klein, Solar Energy Laboratory, University of Wisconsin Madison
  • Jan McFarland, Americans for Solar Power (ASPv)

Forum - Education for Sustainable Energy Careers

Moderated by: Debra Rowe, U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development

How do you know where the educational opportunities are in sustainability? How can you learn about the existing careers and the new careers that need to be created? How can we teach sustainability literacy and engagement to all? Come hear from experts in sustainability education and community engagement. Learn about resources to locate educational programs that relate to emerging careers. Hear about a continuum of educational opportunities, including K-12, higher education in multiple disciplines, education for the built environment, and professional organizations’ initiatives. See how sustainability education can be useful in collaboration with the government, consumer and business sectors to create award winning community and regional partnerships for sustainability.

Speakers Include:

Forum - National Renewable Energy Incentives

Moderator: Brad Collins, American Solar Energy Society

A number of countries have instituted incentives to promote the deployment of renewable energy technologies. By looking at Germany, Japan and Canada, we have the opportunity to reflect on potential incentives for the U.S.

Presentations Include:

Forum - Thin-Film Photovoltaics in Ohio - Activities of the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization

Moderated by: Bob J. Davis, Nano-Tech West Laboratory, Ohio State University

This forum will highlight recent activities of the Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC), established with the support from Ohio's Third Frontier Project. PVIC includes three universities and seventeen industries and non-profits in Ohio whose efforts span the value chain for thin-film photovoltaics (PV). The forum will focus on the downstream activities of the center including opportunities for market expansion in polycrystalline and amorphous thin film technologies, installation approaches for these technologies, as well as public policies required to lower the barriers to market expansion and lower costs by exploiting the favorable economies of scale for automated thin-film PV production.

Presentations Include:

Forum - Update on the New Version of the National Solar Radiation Database (Session 2)

Moderated by: James Bing, New Energy Options, Inc.

The newly updated 1991-2005 National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) is now available to designers, engineers, educators, and researchers. The update of the old 1961-1990 NSRDB includes hourly data for more than 1400 sites in the U.S., Caribbean, and Guam, and features a new multi-year 10km gridded data set for most areas. The NSRDB Update Forum will present background on the design and production of the data set, a discussion of the data quality and its uncertainty, demonstrations of NSRDB applications, and methods of data access.

Presentations Include:

  • NSRDB Products and Distribution
    Steve Wilcox, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Tom Whitehurst, National Climatic Data Center
  • NSRDB Applications and Utilities
    Frank Vignola, University of Oregon and Steve Wilcox, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • NSRDB and Solar Resource Assessment Future
    Open Discussion

Technical Session - Water Pumping and Purification

Session Chair: Stephen Sargent, Sargent and Associates

Technical Session - Assessing Building Impacts

Session Chair: Walter Grondzik, Florida A&M University

12:30 - 2:00pm

Plenary Session - Closing Luncheon