Solar and Weatherization Education for Appropriate Technology: A Community Barn Raising. Final Report. Department of Energy Small Grants Program

摘要

The project consisted of two workshops which were open to the general public and those interested in building a low-cost, easily constructed and maintained solar water heating system. The two workshops were jointly sponsored by Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, a local community action program and a non-profit educational organization. Two homes were chosen which belonged to the elderly or low-income homeowners who met income guidelines. Each home was insulated, caulked, weatherstripped and had storm windows installed by workshop participants. The participants learned how to construct and install two low-cost solar water heating systems from readily available materials. One system was a direct gain type, while the other was to operate on a thermosiphon principle. The participants were encouraged to explore how their knowledge might be applied to their homes and others in their communities. Upon selection of the two sites, Oklahoma Electric Cooperative performed an Energy Conservation Assessment, a computerized analysis of the structure's hourly heat loss. Upon completion of the Energy Conservation Assessment, Sunspace workshops conducted an engineering study leading to the design of a solar water heating system for each site. (ERA citation 09:007396)