Solar Educating and Speaking Engagements

While we recognize that the transition to a renewable energy economy will take many years, we also believe that one of the best ways to speed up the process is through public education. Most people have little to no knowledge or understanding of how solar energy can heat and provide power for their homes.

Many still remember the solar houses of the 70's and the offensive appearance of large solar thermal collectors on the roofs.

One of our primary missions over the past ten years has been to educate people of all ages on the current state-of-the-art in solar technologies. We have developed a variety of PowerPoint presentations that can be customized to almost any audience.

Presentation
Below is an outline of a typical presentation we have made, which usually last between one and two hours. We typically bring along a number of samples of actual solar modules as well as an abundance of literature on solar technologies.

If you are interesting in booking John Rountree for a speaking engagement, please contact Steiner Talent at 866-319-0050.

Some of the organizations we have made presentations to:
• Beyer, Blender & Belle Architects
• HOK Architects
• Cesar Pelli and Associates
• Richard Cook and Associates
• Perkins and Will Architects
• Gruzen Sampton Architects
• Soundwaters Environmental Center
• Connecticut Green Building Council
• Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
• Peoples Action for Clean Energy
• US Department of Energy

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Photovoltaics in the Built Environment

Introduction To Photovoltaics (PV)
• Description and brief history.
• PV applications.
• PV types (single and polycrystalline silicone cells,
amorphous silicone and thin films).
• The Photovoltaic effect - "how they work".
• Cells, modules and arrays.

Photovoltaics in Buildings
• Introduction and current building energy applications
• Stand Alone vs. grid intertied.
• Overview of system components.
• Utility sponsored programs (SMUD, Detroit Edison, Minnesota)

Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
• US residential projects
• European and Japanese residential examples
• BIPV roofing products (Solar shingles, standing seam metal roofing, Sunslates and Solar Works, Inc. "Energy Roof").
• BIPV in commercial and institutional buildings
(curtain walls, skylights and flat roofs).
• PV tour of Switzerland.

Economics of Photovoltaics
• True costs of renewables vs. fossil fuels and nuclear.
• Current costs vs. predicted future costs.
• Need for energy efficiency and energy conservation.
• State and Federal incentives.

The Educational Imperative
• The need to educate the next generation.
• The Swiss example.
• Current U.S. programs and educational curriculums.
• Solar on Schools programs.

Questions and Answers / Discussion


AIA/CES Credits
This presentation is a level 2 program and qualifies all AIA member
attendees to receive 1.5 credits using the self-reporting form.

residential architecture | solar architecture | consulting | speaking