Solar School

All our Solar School training sessions are held at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Upcoming Sessions

May 17-20, 2012 [online registration]

September 13-16, 2012 [online registration]

Each session runs from Thursday at 10:00 AM (registration & lunch) to Sunday at 10:30 AM.

Solar School is made up of two courses, Solar 1 and Solar 2. You don’t have to take both—usually a group sends at least one person to Solar 1 and one person to Solar 2.

Solar 1: Leadership, Partnership Development and Surveying
This course includes:

Exploring theology of doing mission in partnership [link]
Developing partnerships and organizing skills
Forming teams (Trip management and Leadership)
Evaluating sites for solar projects
Negotiating covenants
Increasing cultural awareness

Solar 2: Installation and Equipping Partners
This course includes:

Assembling off-grid solar energy systems
Emphasizing systems to power clean water systems, but also electricity for clinics and schools
Assessing electrical loads
Learning system designs
Practicing safety and maintenance

Plenary Sessions include:

Mission Strategy session
Fund raising
Cultural differences between countries
Small group reflections
Devotions

The cost for Solar School is $475 per registrant, which includes room and board, instruction, and training manuals (upgraded housing available at an additional cost.) Commuting registrant cost is $375 per person. You must be 18 years or older to attend Solar School.

Recommended Resources

If you would like to begin reading ahead for Solar School, or just want to learn more about how we do mission and solar energy, here are some resources we recommend:

Presbyterians Do Mission in Partnership, available as a free download from the PC(USA)

Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual—Renewable Energy Education for a Sustainable Future by Solar Energy International