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Learn about renewable energy technologies for the developing world in the developing world! This workshop will include classroom sessions, labs, and hands-on field work.

Nicaragua Workshop
Held in conjunction with Grupo Fenix, a project of the Program for Alternative Sources of Energy of the National Engineering University in Managua. Participate in hands-on learning in a small Nicaraguan village, Sabana Grande, Madriz, which has taken up the challenge of becoming a solar culture community with Grupo Fenix. Come join us in installing solar panels. Build your own solar battery charger or LED headlamp. Live with families in Sabana Grande who can show you the benefits of and obstacles to using solar energy in their community. Start your day (or afternoon) with solar-roasted coffee from the community's many solar cookers. The Solar Women of Totogalpa will show you the almost-finished Center which will house their solar cooker workshop and training center, and eventually a restaurant. Stay another week after this course and help build adobe bricks for the Center.

The systems you build will strengthen the community's ability to develop sustainable businesses within the community. Solar technicians from Sabana Grande are instructors in the course, and community members will give optional classes on medicinal herbs and cooking with soy. Part of the tuition goes towards solar ovens and solar PV systems for the community. The workshop price includes food, lodging, and in-country transportation.

Participants must arrive at the Managua Airport on Sunday, November 2nd, and plan to fly out Sunday, November 9th.


Costa Rica Workshop
Held at Fundacion Durika, a private reservation of approximately 18500 acres located 17 kilometers northeast from Buenos Aires city. This fascinating region has not been well explored, mainly due to the terrain difficulties and that there are not enough infrastructures available to the visitor. For this reason the Fundación Dúrika offers to the real naturalist a special opportunity to know and enjoy this part of Costa Rica, as very few people have done before in the past. The community is totally vegetarian, and no drugs or alcohol are allowed. All lodging is dorm style; if you have special needs, please let us know.

Join us for this special experience, not only to learn about renewable energy, but to learn about a different way of life, and challenge your assumptions about how we can best live on the planet. Participants must be willing to leave behind drugs, alcohol, meat, hot showers, and other amenities of 20th century life for a week of experiential learning.

Participants must arrive at the San Jose, Costa Rica airport by 2 PM on Saturday, January 31, and will be returned to the same airport by 2 PM on Monday, February 9, 2009.

• The Design & Installation of a solar-electric system
• Building solar ovens with a women's cooperative
• Building a methane biodigestor (Costa Rica)
• Tour of a methane biodigestor (Nicaragua)
• Constructing solar battery chargers (Nicaragua)
• Micro-Hydro site survey (Costa Rica)
• Solar Hot Water tour (Costa Rica)
• Tour of Wind-Electric system.
• Medicinal Plants (Nicaragua)
• Social & Cultural Issues of Working in the Developing World

Building Without Borders by Joseph Kennedy

Chasing the Sun by Neville Williams

Cooking with the Sun by Beth & Dan Halacy

Earthbag Building by Kaki Hunter and Donald Kiffmeyer

Heaven's Flame: A Guide to Solar Cookers by Joseph Radabaugh

Rural Energy Services by Teresa Anderson, Alison Doig, Dai Rees and Smail Khennas

The Humanure Handbook #2 by J.C. Jenkins

The Solar Food Dryer by Eben Fodor

"This workshop could not have been a more perfect jumping-off point for my next career. Location, organization, curriculum presentation, and combination of individual talents was an inspiration beyond words that has charged my heart and soul."
-- Doug Hollinger, 2006 Costa Rica participant

"The site, community, and experience were absolutely amazing. Being in the field of sustainable communities, I learned many new things to bring to my work and my life."
-- 2005 Nicaragua participant

Workshops begin at 9 am unless otherwise noted. Please show up at 8:30 am the first day.