The 2011 Wood River Valley Solar and Green Building Expo will present information and product displays on how to integrate sustainable building ideas into a home, office or building. Bringing architects, building officials, energy providers, designers, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers together, the expo will offer two days of talks, today, May 20, and Saturday, May 21, at the Hailey Masonic Lodge. The free event expo will take place from 3-6 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Weather allowing, the expo will have a barbecue and small farmers market. In addition, AIA members and others may receive up to three CEUs for the education sessions.
Organizer Kevin Dugan said the event will act as a central forum to distribute information on new energy codes, energy efficiency and renewable energy techniques, strategies and products, along with general green building ideas, from local and regional experts.
"I think the new energy codes that have and are being developed by various municipalities within the valley will be of high interest, as well as some of the new and continued incentive programs from Idaho Power," Dugan said. "More information will also be available on green building as we now have a number of projects that have been completed and the data from them should be available for dissemination. I'm also really excited about the University of Idaho presentation on rainwater catchment and grey water systems on Saturday."
Anyone who attends the expo can have fun asking and learning about ideas for their homes and businesses with vendors and individuals who will be on site to assist.
"For example, low-flow shower heads and fluorescent light bulbs represent low-cost steps that are extremely effective and are part of becoming greener," Dugan said. "Going green can take you in many directions, and not all of them involve large investments."
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Green Expo speakers
Friday, May 20
- Mariel Platt, city of Hailey sustainability coordinator, will talk on building codes at 3:15 p.m.
- Rebecca Bundy, city of Ketchum associate city planner, will talk on Ketchum energy codes status at 4 p.m.
- Evan Lawler, Western States Geothermal manager, will talk on new Blaine County energy codes at 4:45 p.m.
- Jolyon Sawrey, Vital Spec architect and environmental consultant, will talk on residential energy services network (RESNET) testing issues at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
- Tim Carter, Idaho Mountain Builders owner, will talk on what it takes to build a LEED home in the valley from a builder's perspective at 11:30 a.m.
- Sharon Patterson, Ecoedge green building and consulting education owner, to talk on building energy and indoor air quality at 12:30 p.m.
- Mario De Haro, University of Idaho environmental professor, to talk on rainwater catchment and grey water systems at 2:30 p.m.
- Jonathan Monschke, Sun Storage owner, to talk on building-integrated photovoltaics solar at 3:30 p.m.
Courtesy photo
Solar panels can be a green solution for power.
