An Abundance NC DIY Sustainability Workshop with David Delvecchio
Saturday, May 21, 10am-4pm
This workshop will be held onsite at the instructor’s homestead – located in the Saralynn community of Pittsboro, NC.
Registered participants will be given the address prior to the workshop.
Are you ready to quit your desk job, buy some land, build a tiny-home, don some homespun britches, and live blissfully off of the grid? You are not alone. Not interested in going that far, but curious about powering your own house without tying into the grid? This workshop is right for anyone with an inkling about solar but no idea where to start. Little House on the Prairie fantasies aside – you don’t have to look far to find a web of folks teaching , learning, and striving for self-sufficiency. Look no further than Chatham County, NC.
Self-Sufficiency and Solar will focus on PV systems for various applications from pond aeration, dc lighting, and stand alone residential systems. We’ll learn what solar can do for you, the REALITY. This workshop is NOT about grid tied battery-less systems that are the most common PV system being installed on rooftops. Questions to be answered are: what can PV do for me without the utility grid? How much does it cost? What can I do myself?
Participants will be able to: realistically understand the capabilities and limitations of PV systems; create a list of major components for a system to perform a specific task; find resources for additional support.
MORNING : Introduction, Nerd Talk, and a Brief but adventurous tour.
LUNCH: Bring your own bagged lunch. We’ll provide refreshments.
AFTERNOON: Working with examples, hands-on portion of workshop, and building a couple small systems.
LATE AFTERNOON: David is willing to hang out post-workshop and answer specific questions, troubleshoot, and talk “solar-battery demystification” with anyone who brings a sixpack of beer.
The workshop will take place at an off-grid permaculture based homestead near Pittsboro. Self-Sufficiency and Solar will include a resource list for those who would like to dig further and expand their knowledge!
Pre-registration is required.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
David is an 18 year veteran of the solar industry, having worked on PV systems of all sizes and types. Yes, back then it was only battery systems! David lives off grid and pays the bills teaching operations and maintenance for utility-scale solar farms. David has the longest held NABCEP PV Installer certification in the state (11 years) and is an IREC Certified Master PV Trainer for the past 6 years.David teaches the PV courses at the North Carolina Solar Center (NCCETC) of NC State in Raleigh and Solar Energy International in Colorado.
David is also an Abundance NC Board Member, beloved community member, and dedicated Chathamite.
