Paths to Energy Efficiency
Associate Professor of Physics Hans Pfister (left) teaches workshop participants how to make a cost-efficient hot water heater in the first of a series of three sustainability workshops available this fall. Photo by Matt Atwood '15.
Dickinson offers free sustainability workshops this fall
On Saturday, Sept. 27, Dickinson hosted the first of three sustainability workshops for people interested in simple ways to increase energy efficiency or in exploring more complex renewable-energy devices such as solar air heaters. Led by Associate Professor of Physics Hans Pfister, the workshops take place from 9 a.m. to noon in Tome Hall, Rector Science Complex, 343 West Louther Street.
Pfister is the George Wesley Pedlow Chair in Pedagogy at Dickinson. As an advocate for the environment, he encourages sustainable living, supports sustainable technology and embraces renewable energy sources. A scholar and inventor, he is the recipient of numerous Keystone Innovation Zone grants to design and build solar-energy devices.
The workshops are free and open to the public. To register, call Tonya Miller, physics & astronomy department coordinator, at 717-245-1413 or e-mail millert@dickinson.edu.
Saturday, Oct. 25: The Solar Air Heater—Direct Conversion of Solar Energy into Thermal Energy
Participants will learn the basics of the conversion of solar energy into thermal energy. Then, working in groups, they will design, build and test a small solar air heater.
Saturday, Nov. 22: Photovoltaics 101—Getting More Out of Your Photovoltaic (PV) Panels
Participants will learn some of the basics of photovoltaic panels, including what the open-loop voltage and short-circuit currents are, what the optimal power point is for the PV panel, Power Point Tracking and ultimately how to get more power out of a PV installation.
Learn more
Published September 30, 2014