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NEWSLETTER
Center for Sustainable Energy
February 6, 2006

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Contents

• Advanced and Introductory PV Training to be Offered at BCC
• Teacher Workshop Explores Hydrogen Energy
• First NABCEP Entry Level Exam in NYC
• Center and Baruch College to Conduct Green Power Survey
• On-Line Energy Groups Springing Up
• Tips
• Kudos
• Recommended Reading Events of Interest in the Area

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Advanced and Introductory PV Training to be Offered at BCC

The Center for Sustainable Energy (http://www.csebcc.org) and Bronx Community College (http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/) will host two 20-hour solar electric (photovoltaic) installation training workshops open to the general public. The training will be delivered by a NABCEP (http://www.nabcep.org/)-certified installer, Jonathan Lane, and assisted by Dominica Tantillo, both of Quad State Solar (http://www.quad-state-solar.com/).

The advanced class is open only to those who have had previous training (typically the introductory course offered by the Center). Actual hands-on experience in the field can be substituted for formal training but must be approved by the instructor. Contact the Center for Sustainable Energy if you require instructor permission at: 718-289-5334, or mail@csebcc.org The introductory class is open to anyone interested in either beginning the process of learning to be an installer, or in gaining a greater understanding of this technology and its possibilities.

The workshops include:

• The latest photovoltaic technologies
• Cost analysis, sizing, building/zoning code issues
• Opportunities for financing PV purchases
• Hands-on lab with PV and inverter technology, and mounting methods

The advanced course covers topics similar to the introductory course but in much greater depth. For a course outline and reading materials, please see: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/Course%20Outline_2006_1.pdf

Schedule:

Advanced Training:

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6 pm to 9 pm
Thursday, Feb. 16, 6 pm to 9 pm
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6 pm to 9 pm
Thursday, Feb. 23, 6 pm to 9 pm
Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 am to 5 pm

Introductory Training:

Tuesday, March 14, 6 pm to 9 pm
Thursday, March 16, 6 pm to 9 pm
Tuesday, March 21, 6 pm to 9 pm
Thursday, March 23, 6 pm to 9 pm
Saturday, March 25, 9 am to 5 pm

For Registration, Contact the BCC Office of Continuing & Professional Studies: 718-289-5170 Tuition: $300 for past students; $350 for first-time students.

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Teacher Workshop Explores Hydrogen Energy

A group of 50 public high school science and technology teachers attended a free one-day hydrogen education workshop at Bronx Community College on Saturday, January 21. Sponsored by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority, the New York Power Authority and the Long Island Power Authority, the workshop covered the potential and benefits of hydrogen as a fuel and an energy carrier. Led by Mary-Rose de Valladares (of MRS Enterprises) and two of her colleagues, the teachers were introduced to the new HOPE (Hydrogen Outreach Program for Education) curriculum and assembled their own model fuel cell vehicles (see http://www.fuelcellstore.com/products/MRS/hope.html). According to the workshop’s host, Dr. Reid Strieby, Senior Associate of the Center for Sustainable Energy, co-sponsor of the event, “the teachers were totally absorbed in this presentation and made it clear that they would like to attend more workshops of this kind related to alternative fuel vehicles and conversions.” For information on future workshops like this, contact Todd Rogers of the Energy Smart Schools initiative at trogers@need.org
315- 655-4963 www.GetEnergySmart.org

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First NABCEP Entry Level Exam in NYC

A group of former Center PV students sat for the 2-hour, 60-question NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) PV Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam on January 16 at Bronx Community College. It was the first time that the test had been offered in New York City, and only the fourth time in New York State since it was introduced in April of last year. “We see this as part of the wider strategy of enabling CUNY to acquire the credentials needed to attain accreditation from the Institute for Sustainable Power for solar training,” said Jim Quigley, Director of Operations for the Center for Sustainable Energy. Passing the Entry Level Exam demonstrates, according to NABCEP, that "the student has achieved basic knowledge, comprehension, and application of key terms and concepts of photovoltaic (solar electric) system operations.” See: http://www.nabcep.org/news.cfm?pr=39

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Center and Baruch College to Conduct Green Power Survey

As part of CUNY’s Million Solar Roofs Initiative, the Center for Sustainable Energy will be partnering with the eTown Panel project at Baruch College to design a survey of attitudes toward green power in New York City. The eTown Panel project is a web-based survey tool managed by Baruch College’s School of Public Affairs. The eTown Panel consists of volunteers that participate in online surveys about local New York City issues. Past surveys have dealt with recycling, noise pollution, local schools, local parks, emergency preparedness, and neighborhood quality of life. eTown Panel is looking for volunteers to join its pool of survey participants. If you are interested in signing up, please visit www.etownpanel.com for more details.

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On-Line Energy Groups Springing Up

NYC Alternative Energy Meetup Group “focuses on technologies, business models, and system implementation challenges.” The group meets 6:30 PM on the third Tuesday of the month at the Cosi Restaurant, Broadway & 76th St, Manhattan. For more information, go to: http://alternativeenergy.meetup.com/45/ Next meetup Tuesday, Feb 21, 6:30 PM includes (1) China's alternative energy industry; (2) report on Energy Outfitters' annual Solar Expo; and (3) the NABCEP exam (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners). howellshadow@yahoo.com

NYC Peak Oil Meetup Group to “generate ideas and discuss actions to raise public consciousness. Find others concerned about the peak in oil production and the consequences of its inevitable decline.” Next meetup Thursday, Feb 9, 2006, 7 PM. For contact information and meeting location, go to: http://oilawareness.meetup.com/36/

New York City New Urbanism & Sustainable Development Meetup Group “discusses the future of the built environment.” Next meetup Tuesday, Feb 21, 7:00 PM. For contact information and meeting location, go to: http://newurbanism.meetup.com/28/

Participation in any of these groups requires an age of 18 years or older. For terms and conditions, see: http://www.meetup.com/terms/?pop=1

Other such on-line forums of this kind can also be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/

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 Tips:

• Energy Mini-Grants Available : The New York Energy Smart Students Program announces a mini-grant opportunity for middle and high school teachers wanting to engage their students in energy-related projects. This mini-grant is designed to provide seed money for teachers of all disciplines, not just Technology, who wish to enter their students in one of the many exciting NYSERDA-sponsored, energy-related TSA competition categories at the statewide Technology Students Association (TSA) Competition in Oswego, NY, April 7-8, 2006. In order to be eligible for a mini-grant, the teacher must be pre-registered for the event; your school (or majority of students) must contribute to the System Benefits Charge (see application); and projects must include a minimum of five students. The NYSERDA-sponsored, energy-related categories are listed on the informative application, which can be down-loaded at: http://www.getenergysmart.org/schools/schools.asp Email your application to trogers@need.org or fax it to 800-726-2958. Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2006. Mini-grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis to applicants meeting the minimum requirements until funds are fully expended. Awardees will be notified within 2 weeks of submission. Approximately 40 mini-grants of up to $250 will be available.

• Energy Jobs. Looking for work in the energy industry? Post your resume and receive email bulletins. Check out http://www.energycentraljobs.com/

• Join the March to Stop Global Warming . What do Eliot Spitzer, Carole King, James Taylor, Walter Cronkite, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Al Franken, Senators Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain, former CIA Director James Woolsey, General Wesley Clark, Carol Browner, Leonardo DiCaprio and Arnold Schwarzenegger have in common? They've all signed on to the virtual march to Stop Global Warming. Please join them and the other 267,000 people who've signed on. As SGW says, "one person at a time... together we will become millions." Tell them the Center for Sustainable Energy sent you. Go to: http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/default.asp

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 Kudos:

Sustainable South Bronx

“Green the Ghetto” is an excellent bilingual newsletter of Sustainable South Bronx (www.ssbx.org). The Winter 2006 issue features discussion of the South Bronx Greenway, green roofs, creation of a technical consultant position for review of the Hunts Point sewage treatment plant, recycling efforts and more. We salute SSB’s Executive Director, Majora Carter, who was named a recipient of the “genius” award in 2005 by the John D. and Katherine T. MacArthur Foundation. SSB can be reached at 718-617-4668.

NY Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA)

Congratulations to outgoing New York Solar Energy Industries Association (http://www.nyseia.org/) Executive Vice-President Joel Gordes for his five years of service of helping to build a thriving community of solar energy manufacturers, distributors, installers, educators and advocates; and we join in extending a welcome to the new NYSEIA Executive Vice-President Christine Donovan who has been in the renewable energy industry for over 25 years. Joel continues as Founder and Principal of Environmental Energy Solutions in West Hartford, CT 860-561-0566 http://home.earthlink.net/~jgordes. Christine can be reached at 518-495-1454 or ctdonovan@nyseia.org See NYSEIA’s excellent January 2006 newsletter at http://www.nyseia.org/news/Newsletter6-1.pdf

Powerful GreenMap of New York

Want to see New York City’s energy environment at a glance? GreenMap lists hundreds of sites and online resources “focusing on energy conservation, renewables and climate change.” Thousands of these maps are being printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper and will be available in both folded and poster formats. Contact Wendy Brawer at 212-674-1631, email apple@greenmap.org, or see http://www.greenapplemap.org. See also their related “launch” event scheduled for February 15 (below).

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Recommended Reading:

Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual: Renewable Energy Education for a Sustainable Future, by Solar Energy International, New Society Publishers. “How to design, install and maintain a photovoltaic (PV) system. This manual offers an overview of photovoltaic electricity, and a detailed description of PV system components, including PV modules, batteries, controllers and inverters. Electrical loads are also addressed, including lighting systems, refrigeration, water pumping, tools and appliances. The manual includes chapters on sizing photovoltaic systems, analyzing sites and installing PV systems. The manual also includes detailed appendices on PV system maintenance, troubleshooting, and insolation data for over 300 sites around the world. Used as the textbook in SEI's PV Design and Installation Workshop” (and in the PV courses offered at Bronx Community College). Available for $60 from SEI.. http://www.solarenergy.org/resources/store.php or from Amazon.com for $49.

The Peak Oil War: A World Peace Story , by Pat Murphy, published by The Community Solution, a Program of Community Service, Inc. in Yellow Springs, Ohio (http://www.communitysolution.org/). “This is a fictional resolution of the Middle East conflict, and climate change. Our world teeters on the brink of resource wars for oil and gas. The protagonists are the Western world, the eighteen percent of the world represented by the nations in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and that part of the Islam world in the Middle East which, fortunately or unfortunately for them, contains two-thirds of the world’s oil and a similar share of the natural gas. Peak Oil, the day when oil production reaches its maximum and begins a steady decline until it is gone in 40-50 years, is fast approaching. Its approach correlates with the increasing tensions in the world. If a world war comes, it may well be fought with nuclear weapons in the Middle East. The fable of Armageddon could well be a reality.” Free at: http://www.communitysolution.org/pdfs/ThePeakOilWar.pdf.

See additional readings recommended by the Center at: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/News_Publications.cfm

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EVENTS OF INTEREST IN THE AREA: 

Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 10 AM to 2 PM, Mahwah, NJ

Articulating a Hydrogen Energy Policy at the State Level: New York Lessons for New Jersey Contact Carmela Federico at 201-684-7500, ext. 6227; or e-mail, cfederic@ramapo.edu or see http://policy.rutgers.edu/ceeep/newhome/njh2lc.html

Tuesday, February 7, 2006, 7 PM (Through Tuesday April 4, 2006), New York, NY

"The Green Renter" series, presented by Solar One, a “green energy, arts & education center” in Stuyvesant Cove Park, Manhattan. "Doing right by the Earth in the world's greatest city,” a free informative discussion series led by local experts. Held Tuesdays at 7 PM at E.23rd and the East River (6 Train to 23rd St, or L Train to 1st Ave.). RSVP required, contact Chris Neidl, 212-505-6050, neidl@solar1.org See also: http://www.solar1.org

Thursday, February 9, 2006, 8 AM - 10 AM, New York, NY

New York Energy Forum featuring Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr. and The New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance at Club 101, 101 Park Avenue (Corner of Park Avenue & 40th St. one block from Grand Central Terminal). Space is limited, to reserve a seat at this event please contact New York AREA Program Coordinator, Laurent Lawrence at: 212-683-1203. Cost: $25 per person or $200 per table of eight. See: http://www.area-alliance.org/documents/NewYorkEnergyForumRSVP.02.09.06.pdf See also the official newsletter for the New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance

http://www.area-alliance.org/NewVersion/Newsletter/NYNEWS05-06.pdf

Wednesday, February 15, 2006, 6 PM - 8 PM, New York, NY

Powerful Greenmap Launch Event on the campus of The New School, Theresa Lang Student Center, 55 West 13 th St. (See item above for more details). Contact Wendy Brawer at 212-674-1631, email: apple@greenmap.org, or see http://www.greenapplemap.org

Tuesday, March 7 to Thursday, March 9, 2006, Boston, MA

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) 2006 Building Energy Conference and Trade Show. Call 866-462-2290, or see http://buildingenergy.nesea.org/

Tuesday, March 21 to Friday, March 24, 2005, NY & NJ

Solar inverter and solar data communications workshops in White Plains, NY and Bordentown, NJ. Fronius USA Solar Electronics Division, a world leader in power electronics has recently announced an East Coast training tour. To register, either download a registration form from the Training page of the Fronius US Solar Electronics Division website at: http://www.fronius.com/worldwide/usa.solarelectronics/news/training.htm or call 805 683-2200. See also: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/events.cfm?page=116

Thursday, March 23, 2006, 1:30 PM, New York, NY

Clean Cities Market Development Committee (a program supported by the US Dept. of Energy, see: http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/index.html). Interested in alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles, and the community of companies and advocates for them? Come to the New York Power Authority office on the 9 th floor, 501 7 th Ave. (@ 37 th St.). RSVP Michelle Brathwaite of NYC DOT at Mbrathwaite@dot.nyc.gov or call 212-487-6822.

Thursday, April 27 to Saturday April 29, 2006, New York, NY

Peak Oil New York City Conference . The American economy and the lifestyle it supports are predicated on a cheap, abundant sources of energy. But times are changing. Regional experts in economic localization, sustainable food systems, alternative transportation, and responsible financial management will share their insights into the evolution of a low-energy, sustainable society. Numerous networking opportunities will be available with established local organizations that have already embarked on this vital transition. Contact Dan Miner at 718-786-5300 x 27 or email dan.miner@licbdc.org See also: http://www.energysolutionsconference.org/

Have a related event scheduled that you would like to see publicized in this newsletter or on our website? Send us an email at:mail@csebcc.org

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Next Issue:

• NYC MSR Solar Energy Market Study
• CSE’s Spring Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Seminar and Workshop Series Announcements

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Know anyone who would like to receive this newsletter? Have Them sign on at: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/Join_Mailing_List.cfm

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The Center for Sustainable Energy, established in 2003 at Bronx Community College, City University of New York, was funded with a Congressional appropriation sponsored by The Honorable Jośe E. Serrano, and administered through the U.S. Department of Energy.

The mission of the Center is to promote the use of renewable and efficient energy technologies in urban communities through education, training, workforce development, research, and project facilitation. The Center supports clean energy development and energy conservation as the means to protect the environment, enhance public health, and position New York City to capture emerging economic development opportunities in the energy sector.

Tax deductible contributions to the Center may be sent to the address below. Checks should be made payable to “ Bronx Community College Foundation/Center for Sustainable Energy.”

Center for Sustainable Energy
Bronx Community College, CUNY
Hall of Fame Terrace, GML 102
Bronx , NY10453

Call the Center at: 718-289-5332
Email the Center at: mail@csebcc.org
Visit the Center website at: http://www.csebcc.org

For links to the latest news, check out the Center’s news page at: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/News_Publications.cfm

West 181st. Street & University Ave., GML-104 Bronx, New York 10453