Solar Power Basics

Hanford Mills Museum is offering a Solar Power Basics workshop on July 21, 10 am–2 pm, to help people determine the costs and benefits of installing photovoltaic (PV) panels. Retired SUNY Delhi professor Robert V. Morris will explain how PV works, PV system options and how they work in different settings. He also will show how to determine the right size system, discuss cost, and how long the payback will take. Come ready to take notes and bring a bag lunch. Register by July 20 by calling 607/278-5744. $25, Museum members; $32.50, non-members. For more information, www.hanfordmills.org.

In addition to teaching electrical construction and maintenance and photovoltaic design and installation, Mr. Morris has worked as an electrician since 1963. He earned his NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) certification and was instrumental in gaining International Sustainable Power Quality accreditation for the SUNY Delhi.  Since his retirement in 2005 he has continued to teach week-long photovoltaic workshops at SUNY Delhi.

“Weighing the costs and benefits of different ways to generate power is one of the ongoing stories we tell here at Hanford Mills Museum,” explains executive director Liz Callahan. “We are happy to offer people the opportunity to learn how solar power may be able to meet their energy needs in this informative course.”
 

The photo shows a pyramid-shaped skylight, installed at Hanford Mills around 1900 to provide light and warmth inside the Mill.