Renewable Energy with the Experts series of
EDUCATIONAL DVDs
 

Residential SOLAR ELECTRICITY  with Johnny Weiss-
 For over 20 years, Johnny Weiss of Solar Energy International has been designing, installing and teaching classes on photovoltaic systems. In this disc, Johnny demonstrates practical answers to questions often asked by homeowners as they consider the purchase and installation of their solar system. Some installation but not step by step instructions. Introduction to concepts, experiences, life-styles and attitudes. 48 minutes

EV-SOLAR DVD: $35

Residential MICRO-HYDROPOWER with Don Harris
 Don Harris has manufactured and designed micro-hydro electric systems for over 20 years from his shop in northern California. In this disc, he discusses water powered electric generation for the individual home, how to judge the site, how to plan the pipeline and electrical equipment. He demonstrates various aspects of this process in the field and in his shop. Perhaps the best information available for the homeowner who may have hydropower capability. 44 minutes

EV-HYDRO DVD: $35

Residential WIND POWER with Mick Sagrillo
 For over 20 years, Mick Sagrillo has been installing, repairing, and re-manufacturing wind turbines at his wind powered shop near Forestville, WI. He has been involved in the repair and installation of over one thousand wind-powered electric generators. Mick gives and demonstrates practical answers to the questions frequently asked by homeowners considering their own wind systems. 63 minutes

EV-WIND DVD: $35

Solar WATER PUMPING with Windy Dankoff
Windy Dankoff has designed, installed, and repaired solar powered water pumping systems for over 20 years. From watering livestock in India, to irrigating crops in Mexico, to domestic use here in the United States, Windy has been involved in over 3500 solar powered water systems. In this disc, he reviews the process of assessing water needs, selecting the appropriate pump for the application, selecting components and setting a submersible pump. 59 minutes

EV-PUMP DVD: $35

PALOMA INSTANT WATER HEATER factory videotape
Factory reps promoting the Paloma tankless instant water heater. Installation and maintenance are shown. Full credit $15 back on purchase of Paloma water heater.

EV-PALOMA: factory video only:  $15

Minimum shipping $8 per whole order covers all items with no shipping listed

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LESS  TECHNICAL  HOME PLANNING BOOKS

Off the Grid: Modern Homes + Alternative Energy

by Lori Ryker

ISBN: 1-58685-516-6  8.5 x 11 inches, 160 pages  Hardcover

Off the Grid confronts the ecological and cultural problems associated with the way we get and use energy, and explains how it is possible to live in a beautifully designed home using much less--no matter where your home is located. Our homes are connected by a nearly invisible grid of infrastructure that binds us together. It is a system of electrical poles, wire, substations, hydroelectric dams, telecommunication towers, and water extraction and sewage systems. From within this system we work, play, and raise families. We have also created one of the greatest environmental challenges known to modern civilization. The signs of our impact upon the world can be recognized in the reports of environmental changes occurring across the earth, and they can also be seen in the growing failures of the energy grids across the world as the current system is stressed beyond its capacity. Technologies that can be used to live off the grid (geothermal energy use, wind turbines, photovoltaic arrays, micro hydropower, rainwater collection and reclamation, and more) are explained as author Lori Ryker shows how to choose and incorporate these sources according to geography and climate. Off the Grid beautifully illustrates that this is not just a concept for rural living; examples of homes that are "off the grid" to varying degrees are found in New York City; Ontario, Canada; Stuttgart, Germany; Belmont, California; Pipe Creek, Texas; Clyde Park, Montana; Twin Lakes, Minnesota; Laytonville, California; Venice, California; and New South Wales, Australia. Off the Grid shows how we can take responsibility for our future choices and conveniences now, and proves that off-the-grid living is a concept that can be easily understood and adopted by everyone, regardless of where you live or how much money you make. Lori Ryker grew up in Texas and has lived and worked in a variety of locations, including Boston, New York City, Portland, and Basel, Switzerland. She now resides in Livingston, Montana, where she teaches in the School of Architecture at Montana State University and is a partner, along with Brett W. Nave, of Ryker/Nave Design. Their work has been published in The House You Build, and Western Interiors and Design. Ryker holds a MArch from Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Ph.D. from Texas A & M University. She is the author of Mockbee Coker: Thought and Process.

E-OFF GRID Price: $25.00

A Handmade Life
In Search of Simplicity  

William Coperthwaite; Photographs by Peter Forbes, Introduction by John Saltmarsh
ISBN: 978-1-933393-47-9;  9" x 9"; 144 pages; Paperback

The Nautilus Award 2004
Category: Ecology/Environment
Honoring Distinguished Literary Contribution to Conscious Living and Positive Social Change

William Coperthwaite is a teacher, builder, designer, and writer who for many years has explored the possibilities of true simplicity on a homestead on the north coast of Maine. In the spirit of Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, and Helen and Scott Nearing, Coperthwaite has fashioned a livelihood of integrity and completeness—buying almost nothing, providing for his own needs, and serving as a guide and companion to hundreds of apprentices drawn to his unique way of being.

A Handmade Life carries Coperthwaite's ongoing experiments with hand tools, hand-grown and gathered food, and handmade shelter, clothing, and furnishings out into the world to challenge and inspire. His writing is both philosophical and practical, exploring themes of beauty, work, education, and design while giving instruction on the hand-crafting of the necessities of life: house, tools, clothing, and furniture. Richly illustrated with luminous color photographs by Peter Forbes, the book is a moving and inspirational testament to an new/old way of life.  

E-Handmade: $20.00

The Home Energy Diet

How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart

By Paul Scheckel

With rising energy costs, homeowners are beginning to examine the energy efficiency of their own homes, asking questions that range from where energy comes from and how much it costs, to how to choose new appliances and what options exist for renewable energy? The Home Energy Diet answers all these questions and more, while helping readers take control of their personal energy use and costs so they can save money, live more comfortably, and help the environment. Energy auditor Paul Scheckel first explores energy literacy, and then describes how your home uses - and loses - energy you pay for via: Electricity Hot water Heating and air conditioning, and Windows, walls and insulation. The Home Energy Diet involves readers in learning about their own homes by measuring, metering, investigating, and considering habits related to household energy use, then learning how to quantify energy consumption and cost, and to make informed decisions about cost-effective improvements and upgrades. The book explores the misunderstood concept of efficiency versus cost by comparing fuel costs and equipment choices, including the possibility of using renewable energy for meeting home energy needs. This authoritative guide makes efficiency fun through personal anecdotes and humorous "tales-from-the-basement" energy misadventures. Since energy efficiency is an investment that offers returns greater than Wall Street, readers can earn several hundred dollars every year just by following the advice in this book. As a bonus, many of the energy-saving strategies described can make for improved indoor air quality and healthier, more comfortable homes. Paul Scheckel is an energy auditor who has visited thousands of homes, educating people about energy efficiency, cost-effective improvements, and indoor air quality. With a passion for efficiency and renewables, he walks the talk by living in a solar-powered house and driving a car powered by vegetable oil, in his home state of Vermont. Paperback - 304 pages Width: 6 Inches x Height: 9 Inches Pub. Date 2005-05-01 - A Mother Earth News Book for Wiser Living -

E-Home Energy $18

LEHMAN'S NON-ELECTRIC HARDWARE CATALOG
170 page catalog of tools, oil lamps, and lots of kitchen equipment of old-fashioned, high quality. Wood stoves, books and more.
 

E-LEHMANS: $5

Minimum shipping charge $8 per order covers all items with no shipping listed

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HANDS-ON DESIGN & TECHNICAL BOOKS

PHOTOVOLTAICS DESIGN and INSTALLATION MANUAL revised and updated May 2007 by Solar Energy International A new textbook manual on how to design, install and maintain a photovoltaic (PV) system. This manual offers an overview of photovoltaic electricity, and a detailed description of PV system components, including PV modules, batteries, controllers and inverters. Electrical loads are also addressed, including lighting systems, refrigeration, water pumping, tools and appliances. The manual includes chapters on sizing photovoltaic systems, analyzing sites and installing PV systems. E-SEI: $60

PV-GENERATOR HYBRID SYSTEM FOR YOUR HOME
by New England Solar

A good 24 page introduction to the whole PV system, charge control, inverter, generator and battery care. Shows clearly how they all connect together and to the house wiring. Similar to the introduction to this catalog, with more detail and drawings.

E-HYBRID:  $10

This 22 page booklet covers lead acid batteries, care and testing, and how to make them last longest. Hydrometer testing, voltage readings, and battery equalizing explained. We give this book free with each battery sale.

E-BATTERY:  $10

ENGINE - ALTERNATOR BOOKLET
by Backwoods Solar

Build a battery charger from a small engine and a car alternator. Explanation, parts list, plans and wiring diagram for building a home made version of the Backwoods Battery Booster using a gas engine and car alternator.

E-ENGALT:  $10

POWER WITH NATURE solar and wind energy de-mystified
by Rex A. Ewing

Entertaining book by an off-grid homesteader explaining independent power from the beginning, in plain language. Covers solar, wind and hydro power planning; also hot water, home heating, and water systems. Revised 2006, with latest equipment explained.

E-POWER: $24

Minimum shipping charge $8 per order covers all items with no shipping listed

SOLAR BUMPER STICKER

I GET MY ELECTRICITY FROM THE SUN

E-BUMP: Black on Yellow Vinyl, 15 x 3.7 inches. $1

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