Watch this Space for Future Workshops

Installing a Small Solar PV and Wind System - 2026

workshop offered by Santa Fe Community College Continuing Education.
Led by Mark Randall of Daystar Consulting.
Saturday June 6, 2026 Sunday September 12, 2026
Next Class will be on Saturday May 15th, 2027

 Join Mark Randall at Santa Fe Treehouse Camp to learn the theory and fundamentals of designing and installing a small photovoltaic (PV) solar and wind turbine electric power generation system through both discussion and hands on practice. The workshop begins with classroom time to understand the basic science and theory of solar photovoltaics and wind power generation, including a solar and wind resource assessment and a system design and components selection analysis. Students will then assemble a working PV solar system, raise and connect a wind turbine generator, and observe the system charging a battery and providing power to AC and DC lights and outlets in a Tree House Cabin! A workshop manual and lunch are provided. Overnight camping or cabin rental option is available for an additional fee.

This course is presented by Santa Fe Community College Continuing Education program,  led by Mark Randall of Daystar Consulting and takes place at the Santa Fe Tree House Camp.

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Mark Randall leads attendees through the solar resource assessment segment of the workshop.
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Student tilt up the 400 Watt wind turbine generator.
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Workshop attendees visit the small solar and wind installation at the Sunrise Treehouse at Santa Fe Treehouse Camp.
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Attendees assemble the PV panels to the roof mounting rack.
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Mark Randall measuring wind speed at the Sunrise Treehouse Installation

Solar Hot Water Heating for Your Home

Workshop offered by Santa Fe Community College Continuing Education.
Led by Mark Randall of Daystar Consulting.
Saturday July 18, 2026
Saturday October 10th 2026 – Seats are still available
Next Class will be on Saturday May 22, 2027

The same principle that heats a garden hose in the sun can help you save money on your energy bill. In this 1-day course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of designing and installing solar water heating options. We’ll cover the basic science of using the sun’s energy to heat water. The course covers both ‘Active’ systems with pumps and thermostats, and ‘Passive’ systems that use just solar energy to heat and move water. The hands-on portion will demonstrate working systems and installation techniques.

The workshop features a custom ‘Active’ Solar Water Heating Test Stand System with all of the standard components and controls. Students wiil  get hands-on experience with both AC (household current) pump and controls and DC Solar pump and controls.

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test stand rear view

The class also covers ‘Passive’ solar water heating which uses natural convection and thermosiphon principals to circulate heat from solar collectors to a storage tank without any pumps or controls.

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