Renewable Energy Demonstration Area

West end, outside of Grandstand

See some of the latest home renewable energy innovations.

Related: Workshops and exhibits on energy, green building, and transportation

Shining light on solar

Whether it is for producing electricity, hot water or passive lighting, renewable power from the sun can both save money and protect the environment. The Living Green Expo will feature live demonstrations, working devices, as well as informative workshops.

Solar Hot-water Systems

Installing a solar hot-water system is one of the most cost-effective ways to incorporate renewable energy into your home, offering payback on investment in as little as six to eight years.

• A live demonstration of a solar thermal system will provide running hot water from a faucet and a shower throughout the event. (Bubbling Springs Solar, Inc.)
• Operating evacuated-tube solar panel for cold weather, low light conditions. (Sun Energy)

Electricity

See how you can generate electricity from the sun to help power your electrical devices.

• Photovoltaic solar panels will operate live, collecting sunlight during the Expo and generating electricity for the event. (Sun Energy)

Workshops

• Solar Electricity | Saturday, May 2 : 11:00 AM to Noon
  Learn about solar electricity installations on homes and small businesses around the Twin Cities area by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers professionals.
• Low-tech Strategies to Save Energy with the Sun | Saturday, May 2 : 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
  Solar strategies don't always require big investments. You can use the sun to save on heating, cooling, cooking, and drying. Come ready to share your own ideas.
• Solar Thermal Water Heating | Sunday, May 3 : 11:00 AM to Noon
  Learn why solar thermal water heating is the most efficient use of solar energy. This workshop will explain the concept of heating water with the sun's energy and its application.
• Solar Power 101 | Sunday, May 3 : 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
  Discover how to make solar work for you, covering the basics of two technologies for harnessing power from the sun: solar-electric/photovoltaics and solar-thermal.

The Power of Wind

When the wind blows, small wind turbines can provide electricity to the most remote areas (like a cabin or a sailboat), or simply a home that is connected to an electric utility.

Visitors to the Living Green Expo will see live demonstrations of different sized wind turbines supplied by Sun Energy. Fully operational and "tied into the grid" (the existing electrical system), they'll provide power for the Expo—come watch the electric meter spin backwards.

• 10kW Ventera grid-tied wind turbine
• 1.8kW SkyStream grid-tied wind turbine
• 400w AirX wind turbine for residential backyards

Learn about how to site a wind turbine and find out if wind power is right for your cabin or home. See Minnesota wind maps.

Workshop

• Small Wind Turbines: Benefits and Income | Sunday, May 3 : 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
  Learn about the environmental benefits of electricity produced from having your own affordable small wind system, as well as tax benefits, rebates, and grants.