Seminar Schedule
Saturday August 18
Seminar Room 1
11:00 am - Your Energy Efficiency Checklist - Begin the day by getting a list of things that when properly implemented will save you time, money and will reduce your carbon footprint.
12:00 pm - Why Now is the Time to Go Solar - Think solar is beyond your budget? Think again. You can lease or you can own solar power. You select how much or how little money you put down upfront to start saving on your electric bills. We will explain the following: Flexible finance plans, a simple three-step turnkey process, worry free guarantees, performance monitoring - website panel level performance monitoring shows you how much wattage your panels are generating from hour to hour and what that translates to in terms of trees planted or cars taken off the road, solar Renewable Energy Credits Aggregator - We will explain how when you install solar panels, you generate Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). In many states, these can be sold to further offset the cost of your panels.
01:00 pm - TBD
02:00 pm - Power Purchase Agreement or PPA - Learn about Power Purchase Agreements and how a contract to buy solar power based on a set rate that is usually equal to or less than market rate from your local utility company can save you money. Because your solar electric rate is locked in, you can also protect yourself from the volatility of future utility rate increases.As a Solar PPA customer, you only pay for solar power—not the solar equipment or installation. The provider installs, maintains and owns the solar system on your rooftop or property. Solar PPAs are very common for commercial solar customers and are now becoming very popular for residential customers too.
03:00 pm - Geothermal - Learn about geothermal heating and cooling systems and how they provide space conditioning -- heating, cooling, and humidity control. They may also provide water heating -- either to supplement or replace conventional water heaters. Geothermal heating and cooling systems work by moving heat rather than by converting chemical energy to heat, like in a furnace. Learn about the three major parts: The heat pump, the earth connection and the distribution subsystem. Learn why your system may also have a desuperheater to supplement the building's water heater, or a full-demand water heater to meet all of the building's hot water needs.
04:00 pm - Financing your renewable project - The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is partnering with the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) with support from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop an innovative energy efficiency financing initiative for Maryland property owners. As part of the Governor’s Smart, Green, and Growing Initiative, the Maryland Home Energy Loan Program (MHELP) will help Marylanders take control of their energy future and stimulate new “green collar” jobs. This new initiative uses private capital for energy efficiency investment and encourages Marylanders to invest in their homes, reduce their energy bills, support economic development and job creation, and minimize their environmental impact. There are two interests rates available for eligible consumers. A rate of 6.99% APR is available for consumers completing an energy audit and installing insulation and duct sealing measures. A rate of 9.99% APR is available for consumers completing equipment upgrades only, such as a furnace or HVAC unit that meet MCEC and ENERGY STAR standards.
Seminar Room 2
11:00 am - Wind Power
12:00 pm - Electric Vehicle's explained
01:00 pm - Passive House Energy Performance Standards - Passive House is an energy performance standard which sets a very ambitious goal of 90% energy use reductions for heating and cooling and 70%-80% over-all below code built structures. While it is admittedly ambitious, and requires rethinking much of what is customarily done in the US building and design industries, Passive House is very realistic, applicable in all climate zones in the US, and cost effective compared to standard construction when operational costs are factored in. Passive House buildings accomplish this goal with greater comfort levels and superior indoor air quality.
02:00 pm - The Benefits of Weatherization - A concise explanation of the biggest takeaways that homeowners get from a comprehensive home energy audit, see how prior construction missed the chance to insulated and air seal your home and business properly. If your home is built before 1989 chances are you fall into this category. We explain methods used to properly seal gaps in insulation and minimize the impact of the thermal bridges created during construction. We show you how it is possible to add air sealing and insulation in certain areas that are already constructed or closed in.
03:00 pm - Solar Water Heating - Solar Water Heating is also known as Solar Thermal. Solar thermal (ST) is one of the most cost-effective renewable energy systems. Solar thermal systems collect the sun’s energy in the form of thermal or heat energy. Hot water heating is one of the largest energy consumption appliances in your home. So, it’s easy to understand that Solar Thermal can save a major portion of your utility bill. It will save you plenty, as you won’t need as much gas or electricity to heat water for your home: the sun will do most of the work. Sunlight (always free) heats your water from a regular temperature (less than 50 degrees fahrenheit) with a heat rise in temperature of 50 to 80 degrees fahrenheit (max total of 140 degrees). This drastically reduces your water heating costs.
04:00 pm - Home Energy Saving Techniques
Sunday August 19
Seminar Room 1
11:00 am - Your Energy Efficiency Checklist - Begin the day by getting a list of things that when properly implemented will save you time, money and will reduce your carbon footprint.
12:00 pm - Solar the way you want it - Think solar is beyond your budget? Think again. You can lease or you can own solar power. If you lease, you choose how little or much money you put down to start saving with your first electric bill. Since you just pay for the power and not the panels, many solar leases are cash flow positive in the very first year. If you own, you pick how we pay you top value for your Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) and how you’ll finance your investment. You’ll earn even more over time since you get to take advantage of all the available solar incentives yourself.
01:00 pm - Financing your renewable project - The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is partnering with the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) with support from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop an innovative energy efficiency financing initiative for Maryland property owners. As part of the Governor’s Smart, Green, and Growing Initiative, the Maryland Home Energy Loan Program (MHELP) will help Marylanders take control of their energy future and stimulate new “green collar” jobs. This new initiative uses private capital for energy efficiency investment and encourages Marylanders to invest in their homes, reduce their energy bills, support economic development and job creation, and minimize their environmental impact. There are two interests rates available for eligible consumers. A rate of 6.99% APR is available for consumers completing an energy audit and installing insulation and duct sealing measures. A rate of 9.99% APR is available for consumers completing equipment upgrades only, such as a furnace or HVAC unit that meet MCEC and ENERGY STAR standards.
02:00 pm - Geothermal - Learn why Geothermal Energy is one of the "Greenest" ways to provide heating and air conditioning for your home. Learn the different systems: geothermal including horizontal, vertical, pond and well water loops, geothermal heat pumps and radiant systems.
03:00 pm - Home Energy Saving Techniques
Seminar Room 2
11:00 am - Solar Energy Design ideas
12:00 pm - Electric Vehicle's explained
01:00 pm - Solar Water Heating - Solar Water Heating is also known as Solar Thermal. Solar thermal (ST) is one of the most cost-effective renewable energy systems. Solar thermal systems collect the sun’s energy in the form of thermal or heat energy. Hot water heating is one of the largest energy consumption appliances in your home. So, it’s easy to understand that Solar Thermal can save a major portion of your utility bill. It will save you plenty, as you won’t need as much gas or electricity to heat water for your home: the sun will do most of the work. Sunlight (always free) heats your water from a regular temperature (less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit) with a heat rise in temperature of 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (max total of 140 degrees). This drastically reduces your water heating costs.
02:00 pm - Power Purchase Agreement or PPA
03:00 pm - Wind Energy
We strongly recommend that you check back often -- especially just before the conference -- as additional seminars may be added and changes may be made to those listed.
