Join the Living Energy Lights team as we install a DC Microgrid for an aspiring community in Hanover, Virginia November 7-9, 2025.
Learn how to build resilience, sustainability, and energy sovereignty for your community with a direct drive DC Microgrid!
A direct drive DC Microgrid incorporates several strategies to collect and store solar energy for residential use without batteries, which are expensive and require ongoing replacement. This training will show you how to design, build, and use a DC Microgrid for your community.
We will combine classroom-style teaching with hands-on, experiential training. You will have the opportunity to be part of a real life installation of a direct drive circuit to power a water system, shop space, and kitchen. We will also explain and install different kinds of non-electric energy storage to provide services at night.
Workshop topics include:
- Green building and solar thermal for heating and cooling
- Solar direct, AKA direct drive circuits, for pumps and mechanical loads
- Durable low voltage battery kits for lights and electronics
- Biogas production for cooking fuel.
Cost is a sliding scale, $0-100. No one is turned away for lack of funds. We are also asking that participants do 25 hours volunteering on a DC Microgrid installation in exchange for the program. These hours can be done over the course of a year. All meals will be provided by the host, and some indoor accomodations are available if you are coming from a distance.
Spaces are limited, and we will prioritize applicants who intend to apply these technologies in their projects and communities.
