Our Biggest Solar Training Event in 2009 - coming to So. San Francisco
By Orion Walker, Events Manager
On September 16th-19th join the SLI for our biggest solar training event of the year; the 4 day Solar Business Training Series held in South San Francisco at the Green V Sustainable Center. This multi-track event offers solar business courses in economics, sales, finance and start-up strategy as well as manufacturer and technical trainings from industry product leaders.
If you are looking to start a solar business, secure a solar sales and marketing position, advance your design and installation skills, or fulfill NABCEP continuing education hours, this event has something for you. Sign up for one session, or all four days. Mix and match courses to fit your interests.
On all 4 evenings we will have networking receptions from 5:30 – 7:30 featuring speakers from Vote Solar, CALSEIA, Solar Richmond, the Solar Masaai Project, and many more as well as organic wine and refreshments.
These evening receptions are FREE and open to the public.
The more workshops you attend – the more you save! - Attend 3 workshops and receive 20% off by using coupon code: SFsolar3
- Attend at least 1 workshop on every day and enjoy 30% off using: SFsolarfull
Some times overlap, be careful to schedule accordingly
Thank you to the sponsors of the
2009 Solar Business Training Series
 OutBack Power Systems is the leading designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, back-up power and mobile applications.
 Enphase Energy is changing the way solar power is delivered to homes and businesses with the breakthrough Enphase Microinverter System, making solar power systems more productive, more reliable, and smarter.
Online Solar Training
By Diane DePuydt, Workshop Director
Thank you to those of you who have applied as a Beta Tester for our upcoming online solar workshop- the response has been overwhelming and at this time we are at capacity for testers.
Continuing our tradition of leadership in renewable energy, we are launching an innovative new online course, Solar PV Design & Installation Training in October 2009, this highly interactive eLearning course will provide learners throughout California and the US with the quality professional instruction that SLI is noted for through this convenient and lower cost new medium.
Students can choose from two online course tracks: instructor-supported and self-paced.
Instructor-Supported: A (6) week course with a set schedule and limited student enrollment. Participants in this track will benefit from a high degree of interactivity with a PV instructor providing guidance and feedback for each of (14) learning modules. Learners also have access to discussion forums and webinars, as well as integrative assignments and assessments.
Self-Paced: Offers continuous enrollment and students can set their own schedule. All the peer interactivity of the first class will be available to students in this track. There will be limited instructor feedback through email.
Following the launch of this first training course, SLI plans to add a special 3-day hands-on PV installation course for students who complete the online training. Early in 2010 we will be releasing new online courses in PV sales, marketing, finance and economics. Online courses are also planned for homeowners and seasoned PV professionals.
Fill out a quick survey about your interest in online courses & receive a special discount on future tuition!
Fall Conference Schedule
By Orion Walker, Events Manager
Fall tends to be the busiest time of year for events and we are gearing up for a bunch of great ones. You can join us at:
West Coast Green - October 1-3
Bioneers - October 16-18
Solar Power International - October 27-29
SF Greenfest - November 13-15
Green Career Conference - November 21
THANK YOU to our local
Wineries & Breweries
By Karen Kallen
Moondance was a great success in gathering staff, interns, volunteers, board members and the greater solar and sustainable community this past month. We are certainly appreciative of the generous donations from Mendocino and Sonoma County wineries and breweries. Solar Living Institute is fortunate indeed to be able to consider these fine establishments 'local'.  In addition, we also thank our sponsors below for their support of Moondance: | September
2009
The Solar Living Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on the support of donors to continue its environmental education mission.
Upcoming Workshops - Indicates Price Reduced * Indicates 50% off Mendocino County
- Sep 8-12 PV300 Advanced PV Sys Sep 12 How to Make & Use Biodiesel Sept 12 Sustainable Beekeeping Sept 13 Build A Biodiesel Processor Sep 14-18 PV200 Design & Install PV
-Sep 19-20Build A Strawbale House
Sep 19-20 Install A Greywater System
-Sep 26-27Intro to Ecological Design
-Sep 26 Irrigation Essentials Oct 2-6 PV200 Design & Install PV Oct 3 Electric Vehicle Basics Oct 10 Solar Water Heating Oct 10-11 Build an Earth Oven Oct 11-12 Solar Thermal Intensive
*Oct 11 Intro to Herbal Medicine Oct 12-13 Intro to Off-Grid Systems Oct 14-15 Off-grid for Professionals -Oct 17-18 Build A Strawbale House Oct 21-22 Intro to Photovoltaics -Oct 22-23 Do-It-Yourself Carpentry Oct 23 Wire Your Own PV System
-Oct 24 Do-It-Yourself Electrical
-Oct 25 Do-It-Yourself Plumbing Oct 31; Mushroom Cultivation Sonoma County
Oct 3 Electric Vehicle Basics
San Francisco Bay Area
Sep 11-12 Intro to Photovoltaics
Sep 21-25 PV200 Design & Install PV
Sep 13 Wire Your Own PV System
Special Event - Solar Biz Training
Oct 1 Your Green Job Skills
*Oct 3 Sustainable Beekeeping
Oct 6-10PV200 Design & Install PV
Oct 15 Breaking into Green Careers
Oct 19-23PV200 Design & Install PV
Oct 24 How to Make & Use Biodiesel
*Oct 24 Green Mat'ls & Building-Beg
-Oct 25 Green Mat'ls & Building-Adv
Oct 25 Acing the Green Interview
Oct 25 Build A Biodiesel Processor
Oct 26 Brew Up A Biodiesel Business
Oct 28 Fundamentals of PV Sales
Southern California
Oct 23-24 Intro to Photovoltaics
Oct 25 Wire Your Own PV System
Meet Jenny Lu
Jenny Lu
J oin us in welcoming our newest addition to the SLI staff family! Jenny Lu was born and raised in China and has lived in the United States for the last 7 years. Jenny graduated from Ukiah High School in 2005, and is now working toward her Associate's degree in Psychology at Mendocino College. She has been highly involved in student government, both on the local level and state level, where she attained her publicity skills. Utilizing her marketing, publicity and computer skills has helped Jenny land a position at SLI as an Administrative Marketing Assistant where she works to promote Solar Living Institute's workshops, and assists in database cleanup, among other general important and helpful tasks.
Feel free to contact Jenny at jenny.lu@solarliving.
New Landscape Intern
Guido Frosini
Join us in welcoming our newest addition to the SLI intern family! Guido Frosini was born and raised in Florence, Italy and has lived and traveled in the United States for the last 5 years. In the last three months Guido had been living in Oakland with five other housemates and six chickens, where they have created a food garden and small orchard with integral chicken rotation in the back yard. They even started a greywater recycling system for the washing machine. Another venture in West Oakland included the advent of a community garden where Guido and his gardening posse encouraged the neighbors to get involved in watching the harvest grow. Previously this year Guido had the opportunity to work in Hawaii on a Biodynamic farm, helping to create a CSA offering cacao, coffee, banana, papaya, mango, and citrus. Rounding out his experiences, Guido also worked on a permaculture farm in Hawaii and a cattle ranch/blueberry farm in Marin County.
Feel free to contact Guido at guido.frosini@solarliving.org, but you may have to be patient because he's outdoors alot!
Sustainable Living
Are you looking to learn new skills to live a more sustainable, independent life? We have many great workshops to choose from: beekeeping, natural building, herbal medicine, mushrooms, ecological design, primitive technology, biodiesel, electric vehicle, water, strawbale, earth oven, green materials, bamboo, green remodeling & energy efficiency & even more await eager to learn students. Visit www.solarliving.org for a complete list of our sustainable living workshops.
New Goats Arrive
Florence and Siena
Arriving about the same time as our newest intern, Guido, are a couple of happy & curious goats that we are hosting for a while. They are let out to graze on grass and assist Guido with pruning the blackberries. Florence & Siena are 8 months old and are adjusting well to life here.
Central Oasis in front of Real Goods store
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