Solar in the Real World
Workshop 6
(scroll down for detailed description)

Saturday, May 22
1:30pm to 5:30pm

Registration Price: $50 on or before April 1, $60 after April 1, $70 on-site
You DO NOT have to register for the conference to register for a workshop. On the Conference Fees page in the registration system, choose "Workshops, Tours, Special Events Only."
Presented by: Peter Edmunds, Border Partners
Description: What happens if a Mexican village wrought with violence and poverty is exposed to solar energy technologies every day?  High school students have their lunches cooked in a solar cooker. Students make solar cookers in school to take home and use.  Public buildings are equipped with locally produced solar cookers and hot water heaters. These projects and small businesses, started by local residents with support from Border Partners, are in Palomas, Chih., Mexico. The citizens of Palomas are using less energy, getting income from their businesses and learning hope.  This Border Partners program can be replicated anywhere in the world where the sun shines.
Materials to be provided to attendees include descriptions of Border Partners operating format, directions for building Border Partners' solar equipment and a list of designs, resources and programs.
Who should attend? Individuals and agencies interested in promoting affordable solar and sustainable technologies and micro businesses in the developing world.

Additional Workshop Details:

PURPOSE OF THE WORKSHOP
To educate people about simple, low cost equipment that works for cooking and heating water . To inform participants about Border Partners project in Palomas, Chihuahua, MX where local "solar promoters" are trained to educate others about the advantages of solar energy and how to make a simple, low cost solar cooker and water heater for their own home. To introduce participants to the concept that locally produced solar and other sustainable energy equipment is not only possible but it is the only way that solar energy will ever reach the masses of people who really need it. The world needs affordable locally produced solar equipment that works, that improves lives and that allows people to use less energy.

CONTENT OF THE WORKSHOP
Description of Palomas, Chih., Mexico
Description of Border Partners
Description of products and projects
Design and make a solar water purifier. Test it and win a prize.
Share ideas for designs and programs.
Join the Solar for the Real World Network

PRESENTER'S CURRENT POSITIONS AND EXPERTISE
Peter Edmunds is the Alternative Technology Director for Border Partners, a group of people from the US and Mexico working together to create jobs and promote the use of solar energy, water-saving technologies and home gardens. Edmunds has 40 years of experience with experimenting with solar and other sustainable technologies.