This month, a roof on Columbia Heights in northern Brooklyn Heights was retrofitted with solar panels. At left, workers are seen beginning the installation. At right, a few days later, the installation is complete but the sun has not risen high enough to eliminate the shadow from a taller building across the street, not shown here. However, the sunlight has still reached part of the mansard roof to the right of the solar panels. The roof where the panels have been installed will receive sunlight for much of the day, but many brownstones don’t receive sufficient sun to cover the cost of putting in solar panels.
Photos by Henrik Krogius
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NYC College of Technology in Downtown Brooklyn is offering several green-themed courses through its continuing education program in the upcoming semester:
Photovoltaic Installation
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., from 11/3 - 12/5, for $600
Presented by the Center of Sustainable Energy of Bronx Community College. Learn the basics of solar photovoltaic technology and how it is installed and maintained. Course includes four all-day Saturday lab sessions at Bronx Community College (11/7 - 12/5).
For more information click here.
Prerequisite: a professional background in engineering, architecture, electronics, building construction and related areas.
Solar Hot Water and Heating Systems Workshop
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., October dates TBA, for $290
The course will cover solar thermal systems (introduction, types and applications); solar thermal collectors and system components; solar thermal design and system sizing; installation of solar hot water systems; solar control strategy; system startup, maintenance and trouble-shooting; and solar savings and performance estimates.
Introduction to Green Roofs and Living Walls
Thursday, 6-9 p.m., from 9/24 - 12/3 (no class on 11/26), site visits: Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., 10/3 & 10/7, for $470
This course offers an introduction into green roof and living wall construction, installation and maintenance. Topics include green roof benefits and incentives, reviews of green roof products, water-proofing, roof membranes and drainage. An introduction into green roof horticulture and irrigation as well as two site visits to local green roof projects. Can be taken in preparation for the Green Roof Professional Accreditation Test which will be offered in 2009.
Green Roof Professional Accreditation Test Prep
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 10/10, for &70 plus a $20 registration fee.
Intended for those students interested in preparing for the Green Roof Professional Accreditation Test offered by the independent non-profit organization Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, which will be offered for the first time in October. The course will cover topics anticipated to be on the test and will help students come up with a study plan. Will review basic green roof design, engineering and installation. Students planning to take the test prep should have som eprior knowledge of green roofs including the different kinds of green roof systems, green roof plant and soil types, and general design and installation details.
City Tech is also offering a free, green-related community program:
Urban Energy: Incentives for Solar, Wind and Energy Smart Savings
Saturday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., 10/24
Will discuss how you can benefit by switchign to renewable energy. Presentations by representatives from the Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College, the NYC Economic Developoment Corporation, the Pratt Center for Sustainability, Future Green, Con Edison and Aeon Solar.
Free, but registration is required.
Visit www.citytech.cuny.edu/academics/continuinged for more information about these and other City Tech continuing education courses, and how to register.
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This month, a roof on Columbia Heights in northern Brooklyn Heights was retrofitted with solar panels. At left, workers are seen beginning the installation. At right, a few days later, the installation is complete but the sun has not risen high enough to eliminate the shadow from a taller building across the street, not shown here. However, the sunlight has still reached part of the mansard roof to the right of the solar panels. The roof where the panels have been installed will receive sunlight for much of the day, but many brownstones don’t receive sufficient sun to cover the cost of putting in solar panels. 