Do-Yourself-Solar Technologies

Dads, Inc.! Downeast Alternative Design Solar, is a non-profit, Ed. Corp. Maine, with IRS tax exempt status (donations to DADS, Inc. are tax deductable). We'll initiate a membership program asap!

To contact do-yourself-solar technologies, DADS, SEADS of Truth or Maine Solar Energy Association, please follow the easy instructions below and on previous pages. You may send email or phone. We will have directions available for the different locations of seminars, meetings and community centers as they become relevant. You may use the optional form below for ease of contact. This is a preliminary page and will be up-dated as necessary.

This section is available for directions and updates for seminars  and to allow a presentation of archival flyers and current photos of workshops and projects of do-yourself-solar, DADS, SEADS, MESEA and Skyheat Associates.

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Here's a link for a solar interview, spur of the moment, with John Burke of DADSolar, Inc. : http://youtu.be/7Ot95LQ4zRo

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An early morning view east, from the MESEA Solar Home, Jonesport, ME ...     Washington Co., the 'Sunrise County' ...   Sept, 2013. 

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 A view west from the south deck, MESEA Solar Home, Jonesport, Maine, sunset, overlooking the Indian River Bay, 2012.

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Participants apply liquid silicon onto soldered PV strings, in place and ready for encapsulation process.

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Glass is placed on fresh liquid silicon. Weight is applied to glass and gentle pressure allows excess air to escape during encapsulation of 65 w module at humble farm PV assembly workshop.

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May '08 PV workshop participants remove encapsulated 65w module after curing. This module is now ready for finish wiring and framing at humble farm.

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Back of PV module showing placement of strings in series connection. The module is ready for final wiring, at humble farm PV assembly workshop, May '08.

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PV workshop participants solder finished wiring on 65w module before framing, humble farm, May '08.

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Solar Thermal Workshop 2008 -

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John and Soni solder copper pipes for humble farm do-yourself-solar hot water thermal panel - Sept. 2008.

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Soni Biehl, solders copper pipe during hot water panel workshop, Hiram, Maine, 2009.

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Participants apply glass top on hot water thermal panel, Hiram, Maine, 2009.

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Humble farm - Four of eight solar thermal panels are installed on rack, adjacent to the south wall of farm house -

November 2008.

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Jonesport, Maine, April 4, 2009,

MESEA PV assembly workshop :

Workshop participants solder first PV strings for 65W module to be assembled at April 4, 2009 PV workshop at Home of MESEA - Jonesport, Maine.

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Bridgton, Maine- May, 2009 PV assembly workshop -

Rich Komp shows interested participants how strings of PV cells will be laid down for encapsulation. The Bridgton, Maine - May 2009 PV Workshop.

Bridgton, Maine PV workshop, May 2009. Participants test 65W PV module, before final wiring and framing.

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Manhattan Comprehensive HS, PV workshop Series, June, 2009, New York City.

Diverse student group assembles PV module framing with MESEA - dadsolar facilitator John Burke - June 2009 - NYC.

Final wiring of 65W PV module at NYC HS program, held in conjunction with community group - Solar1.

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MESEA PV Workshop with Engineering Students- U. of Dayton, Ohio, 2009 -

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Dr. Komp pours silicone encapsulant mix onto PV cell strings, with engineering students -U. Dayton,  2009.

acilitator, MESEA / dadsolar workshop facilitator, John Burke, applying tempered glass to encapsulated PV module cells -     U. Dayton,  2009. 

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Students at Manhattan Comprehensive HS, NYC, help John Burke of dadsolar and MESEA, March 2011, during encapsulation process at PV assembly workshop.

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Full group of students and teachers show off the completed 65W PV module, assembled with dadsolar, MESEA and Solar1, at Manhattan Comprehensive HS, NYC, during March, 2011 PV assembly series.

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Sixth year at the Manhattan Comprehensive HS, NYC, MESEA and DADS work with the student group from around the world, assembling solar cells for the 65 W PV module.  March, 2014.

Here a few students work to solder the solar cells into the strings of 9 cells for the 4 x 9, 36 cell PV module.

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Students ready frame for final assembly, after wiring module. The junction box and wires will be last.

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We check the output of the popular, small, 6W cell phone charger, before checking the 65W module. They enjoy working with the solar cells and MESEA. Man. Comp. HS, March, 2014. John Burke, DADS.

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Members of Downeast Alternative Design Solar  (DADS), pose for photo with Environmental Certificate, presented in October, 2010. Now with IRS tax exempt status, (donations are tax deductable) ... contact us soon, thanks !

(Rich Komp, Jerry Blackburn, Walther Wefel and John Burke,  L - R, at Downeast Museum of Natural History, Harrington, ME).

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We will continue to perfect the methods of inserting archival flyers, photos and drawings of DADS/ SEADS / MESEA projects, demonstrations and memorabilia. Please bear with us while we reach for perfection.

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 The map service listed here below, may or may not have correct information ... please ask for detailed directions from a real live human being ... solar powered of course !

Contact Info for Do-Yourself-Solar:

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E-mail - dadsolar@yahoo.com

seadsmaine@yahoo.com

sunwatt@juno.com

Phone - (207)546-1639

            (207)450-1141

            (207)497-2204

            (207)356-0225

            (207)483-2764

Web links -

www.seadsoftruth.webs.com

www.mainesolar.org

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Please see this link for a video from our friends at the Beehive Design Collective, Machias, Maine ... in the Sunrise County, USA      : 

http://www.upworthy.com/the-poster-is-mesmerizing-the-story-it-tells-is-electrifying-have-you-seen?g=2&c=ufb2

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65w PV module frame caulking, at humble farm, May '08.

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GO SOLAR ! ...  2014 !

Solar Workshops in Maine ...and Nicaragua -

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*SUMMER 2014 - PV/Thermal*

** Last minute notice for solar workshop, Jonesport, Maine ...  **New design ** PV/thermal ** hybrid collector assembly & Install with Dr. Rich Komp, Call for info- 207-450-1141

 - Build a New Design Photovoltaic-Hot Water Hybrid Collector

All Day Thursday, 21 August, Jonesport, Me

 This new collector design uses as a base, the standard,certified ~250 watt PV module sold in great quantity all over the world. MESEA has been selling these modules for $1 per watt to anybody in quantities of one or more. We will add a thermal collector to the back of the module in such a way that the module is not changed in size or electrical performance, except that with cooler PV cells, the electrical output should be slightly higher than when we started the conversion. All the parts needed are available at any builing supply for less than about $80. The workshop will include installing two of the modules on a roof and connecting them up to the off-grid home's 24 volt DC electrical system.

The basic idea is an old one ( I will show a photos of similar conversions done as early as 1982) but we are upgrading it to make a very sinple, cheap design that will be more efficient. Everybody is free to copy this design; we have arranged it so that it cannot be patented and are hoping that this will become the basis of a cottage industry anybody can build in their garage or back yard.

Presentor: Richard Komp, President of the Maine Solar Energy Association and inventor of the PVThermal Hybrid module in 1975

Location: MESEA Solar Home, 17 Rockwell Rd SE, Jonesport ME 04649
Cost: $75, including lunch. Student Scolarships will be available - $20
For more information: 207-497-2204 or 207-450-1141, sunwatt@juno.com, www.mainesolar.org
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Install a New Design Photovoltaic-Hot Water Hybrid Collector

All Day Sunday, 24 August, Jonesport Maine

In this follow-up all-day workshop, presentor Soni Biehl will connect the thermosiphon plumbing to the Hybrid modules installed earlier in the week. We will install a home-built heat exchanger so that all outside plumbing uses a safe water- antifreeze mixture; a low-boy tank in the attic above the bathroom and the proper plumbing system so that the solar hot water preheats the water in the back-up gas water heater in colder weather; but in warm weather, the solar water is shunted around the backup tank to flow directly to the hot water faucets. The system will need no circulating pump, the difference in density between cool and hot water will drive the flow. All the details will be explained and different system configurations will be discussed.

Presentor: Soni Biehl, Treasurer of the Maine Solar Energy Association and CertifiedMaster Plumber.

Location: Rich Komp Home, 17 Rockwell Rd, Jonesport ME 04649
Cost: $75, including lunch. Student Scolarships will be available - $20
For more information: 207-497-2204 or 207-450-1141, sunwatt@juno.com, www.mainesolar.org

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  2014 MESEA PV assembly workshops - see below for info:

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SOLAR PV assembly Intensive  -    - Fall 2014

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 - Sept 27 to Oct 3,  2014 - 

Do Yourself Solar, PV  Assembly Intensive in Maine, plus ASES National Solar Tour, Sat, Oct 4. 

 *The exact number of days for your Solar PV  assembly workshop will be determined by your 'reservation'.

Call John, 207-546-1639, or Rich 207-450-1141

 Fall ! 2014 Solar PV Assembly Intensive with MESEA -7 days !
Sept 27 - Oct 3, Plus, Sat. Oct 4, National Solar Tour ... Jonesport, ME - solar home.

 Solar PV assembly - training for trainers and workshop intensive with MESEA. 

(full 7 days, includes the free Fri, lecture / power point).

Program: (Full seven day workshop sessions, 9:30am – 4:30pm;  Sat – Fri, Sept 27 - Oct 3, 2014 ), will allow participants to experience a 'hands-on', full assembly procedure, used by Dr. Komp and Skyheat Associates, in the developing world PV “Cottage Industry” programs.

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*Your exact schedule for this workshop session will be determined by your availability, please act soon to ensure space - thanks, Call for details and reservations - ASAP, thanks ...     

John - (207) 546-1639,

or Rich - (207) 450-1141 

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PV modules are available for sale to participants, to raise funds for the solar work in the developing world.

How to start a PV  "Cottage Industry" and combat Climate Change : Free Fri Evening, lecture, Power-point, 7:30 – 9 pm, Oct 3, (with Dr. Komp) ...

How to assemble 65W PV modules in the jungle ...  

Three PV workshop sessions available, 9:30am – 4:30pm; Sat & Sun, Sept 27 - 28; Mon & Tues, Sept 29 & 30; Wed thru Fri, Oct 1 - 3. (See above for pricing and reservation details) We will use the developing world methods – with 'hands-on' experience for all participants, includeing step by step PV assembly process and liquid Si encapsulation method.

Full SEVEN day program, Sept 27 - Oct 3, Sat - Fri, (exact days to be determined by your availability), includes at least two 65W PV assembly sessions, as well as free Fri. lecture / power-point session … Plus ... National Solar Tour, Sat, Oct 4.

How to start a PV "Cottage Industry' and combat Climate Change and Global Warming! 

Free lecture /power-point presentation, Fri, Oct 3, 2014, learn how to work with local groups, in your community, to start a PV "Cottage Industry" and raise awareness of the climate crisis. We all can help to avoid thisnding calamity, if we act soon!

 * Please ! Remember that your exact dates will be determined by your availability and reservations ...

Please call  207-546-1639,

or 207-450-1141 Thank you.

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Please check MESEA seminar calendar at www.mainesolar.org for up to date info on PV and solar thermal workshops you and your family can participate in.

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Assemble two 65w PV Modules with liquid Si encapsulation, using locally available materials and full power, blemished, solar PV cells!

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This Fall  - 2014 & Winter  - 2015

MESEA,  SEADS and DADS, will offer more PV assembly and Solar Thermal workshops.

Check here for details soon. Or check MESEA workshop calendar-

MESEA website - www.mainesolar.org

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MESEA - Solar PV workshop description:

Learn how to assemble your own Photovoltaic module for producing electricity. Richard Komp has pioneered PV module production as a cottage industry in Nicaragua, Mali, Haiti and India. In this workshop you'll get to participate in assembling a 65 Watt PV module, utilizing the encapsulation process, developed in Nicaragua with Suni Solar and Grupo Fenix, or using the new Solar Oven lamination process with EVA sheeting!

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Experience Solar Culture in Nicaragua:

Grupo Fenix Solar Culture Course in Nicaragua

July, 2014 ... January, 2015

see www.grupofenix.org/courses

Come to Nicaragua and engage your head, heart, and hands in the real work of developing countries. Our hands-on courses allow you to be immersed in the daily life of rural Nicaraguans by living with host families and working alongside local community members to create their vision of a model community, through renewable energy and sustainable practices.

Discuss the theory behind solar energy and the challenges of development with your instructors and other course participants over lunch. Spend your days learning how to construct solar cookers or install photovoltaic systems. Laugh along with your host family as you try to recall your high school Spanish, balance water on your head or make tortillas. Most activities and classes are held in the new adobe Solar Center. Housing will be simple, like that of a typical rural Nicaraguan family.

Explore a beautiful country and its culture, while learning about renewable energy and sustainable development in the field. Our courses provide a unique travel experience that is educational, rewarding, and fun!

This 11 day course, offered twice a year, has been offered by Grupo Fenix since 1999. It is a great introduction to the science and use of appropriate renewable energy technologies such as solar cookers, dryers and photovoltaic systems. Dr. Richard Komp, an expert from the United States with over 40 years experience working with solar technologies, teaches the technical classes for the January version of the course and may be a guest instructor for the July course.

Participants will: (partial list, subject to change)

• Visit SuniSolar, a renewable energy business in Managua started by Grupo Fenix
• Build a solar oven with the local womens group, the Solar Women of Totogalpa
• Listen to talks on Solar Dryers and Medicinal Plants
• Learn about solar cooking and eat the final product of your class!
• Install a PV system with local solar experts
• Make a solar powered battery charger

Also, the course includes various tourist activities such as a visit to nearby beautiful spots in the mountains of northern Nicaragua. If weather permits, we will spend a day exploring the Somoto Canyon and swimming in its natural pools. Also, at the end of the course we will spend a night at a rustic eco-lodge in the Tisey Nature Reserve, which has hiking trails, fields of organic vegetables, a farming community that produces its own specialty cheeses and one of the best panoramic views in the country.
The course fee of $995. includes all food and lodging, with a $50 deposit to be sent to the nonprofit Skyheat Associates at PO Box 184, Harrington, ME 04643... to insure a place in the course, which has a limit of 15 participants and is often completely full. For more information, please contact: thegrupofenix@gmail.com or sunwatt@juno.com, or look online at www.grupofenix.org, for details of all our programs.

For info on the next opportunity for a workshop, see Grupo Fenix at www.grupofenix.org/courses.html

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Nicaragua,    2014 ...     

Natural Building Workshop

Grupo Fenix

Wolfe's Neck Farm - Freeport, Maine - PV Training for trainers- June, 2009.

Participants prepare 3 x 12 strings for encapsulation, under the watchful eye of Rich Komp. WNF, Freeport, ME, June 2009.

Six 65W PV modules installed at Wolfe's Neck Farm, Freeport, Maine. These modules power facilities in the work shed. The high school students in the "Green Energy" Program assembled the PV modules, Summer, 2009.

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Solar participants at Brooklyn Commons PV workshop, setting up strings of solar cells for encapsulation. The CitySolar group hosted the workshop, and 15 folks with diverse backgrounds had the hands-on experience and opportunity to learn how a PV module works. April, 2011.

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Solar PV workshop participants, April, 2011, pose for group portrait. PV assembly seminar presented by MeSEA & John Burke, at the Brooklyn Commons space, we thank Otto, who came to workshop from North Carolina, for the photo. (That's him on the right).
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Solar PV assembly workshop participant, soldering a string of 9 cells for 65W PV module. April, 2011, at the Brooklyn Commons, NYC. Photo by Otto, workshop hosted by CitySolar.

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DADS, Inc. / do-yourself-solar -

Contact form below ...

Please feel free to ask questions on our programs or this site. We will strive to respond promptly.