The 2012 Entrepreneurial Summit will be Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Regional Center for Economic, Community, and Professional Development in COMTech Park, Pembroke, NC.

The theme is "Small Business/Entrepreneurial Growth and Sustainability." The content for each presentation will focus on those key skills and competencies that are required by entrepreneurs to grow, sustain, and create wealth for their businesses.

AGENDA

08:00 – 08:55 a.m. - Registration & Continental Breakfast
08:55 – 09:00 a.m. - Welcome
09:00 – 09:15 a.m. - Opening Comments
09:15 – 09:45 a.m. - Sustainability Overview
09:45 – 10:15 a.m. - Sustainability in Manufacturing
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. - Break
10:30 – 11 a.m. - Sustainability in Services
11 – 11:30 a.m. - Sustainability in Construction
11:30 – 12 p.m. - Elevator Competition
12 - 1 p.m. - Lunch and Awards (Lunch provided free of charge)
1 - 2 p.m. - NC Efforts for small business sustainability
2 - 2:15 p.m. - Closing Remarks

Registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 17, 2012. Click here to save your seat.

The School of Government’s Environmental Finance Center (EFC) will conduct a one-day course on “Financing and Implementing Energy Initiatives in Government and the Community” in Lake Junaluska (west of Asheville) on Feb. 28, 2012. The one-day course focuses on the finance and policy challenges that arise when local governments consider implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in government facilities and in the community at large. The course is co-organized by the Local Government Training Program which is administered by Western Carolina University.

Where: Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, Lake Junaluska, NC

Registration: $35/person. For more information and to register, click here. The registration deadline is Feb. 21.

Who should go: Sustainability Managers, Finance Directors, City and County Managers, Municipal and Cooperative Power Providers, Council/Commission/Board Members, and technical assistance providers.

The NC Solar Center has scheduled a slate of classes on clean energy topics. Contact Lyra Rakusin at lyra_rakusin@ncsu.edu or 919-513-7769 for more information.

Hands-on Solar

Feb. 29 - Raleigh

This one-day class is for those who have taken the 40-hour basics of design and installation of PV systems (REPV) workshop. It serves as a refreshers course and dives right into the installation of a grid-tied system, from installing the photovoltaic modules to commissioning the system. Limited number of seats.

Price: $199 Register here.

REPV: Renewable Energy Generation with Photovoltaic Systems

March 19 – 23, Raleigh, NC

REPV is a weeklong workshop taught by David Del Vecchio, one of only four IREC ISPQ Certified Master Trainers/PV in the east coast. Learn the technical and practical aspects of designing and installing a residential photovoltaic system. Includes a hands-on installation day. This class fulfills NABCEP educational requirements to sit for the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam.  

Price: $969, NCSEA Discount: $100 off.  Call Lowndes at 919-513-2161 to register as NCSEA member.

Fundamentals of Design and Installation of PV Systems

April – May, 2012

This 32- hour equivalent online class is the REPV class without the hands-on installation day. It gives participants the flexibility to take courses online – either through a live session or recorded class. Live online classes will be done twice a week, two hours each session.  In addition to the online lecture, there are reading and quiz requirements.  After completing this class, one may take a one day Hands-on Solar class that will be offered throughout the year.

Price: $775. Register here.

Certificate in Renewable Energy Management: Overview of Renewable Energy Technologies

March 15 – 16, Raleigh, NC

This 2-day class, taught by Southern Energy Management’s Co-Founder Bob Kingery, is part of the new non-credit 40-hour Certificate in Renewable Energy Management (CREM) program. Taken as a stand-alone or part of CREM, this two-day class will cover how renewable energy technologies work and how they differ, discuss components of solar systems and how commercial and residential systems differ, and tackle common technological issues of these technologies.  At the end of the two days, the participant will be able to do a quick site analysis and be familiar with common technical issues of residential and commercial renewable installations.

NOTE: Opting to take this as a stand-alone will not count towards the 40 – hour CREM program. For more information about the Certificate in Renewable Energy Management, click here.

Price for 2-days: $699, Discount: $630 Click here to register for 2-day class.

REST: Renewable Energy Generation with Solar Thermal Systems

April 9 – 13

This workshop, instructed by industry leader Bill Guiney, focuses on domestic solar hot water systems but will include discussions on different solar thermal applications and types. Includes a hands-on installation day and fulfills NABCEP Solar Heating Entry Level Learning Objectives. 

Price:$969, NCSEA Discount $100 off. Call 919-513-2161 to register as NCSEA member.

CREM: Solar Business Basics

April 10, Raleigh/ Live Online

This one day course introduces participants to the heart of the solar industry’s success. During the first half of the course, our in-house DSIRE staff and NCSEA’s Paul Quinlan discuss local, utility, state and federal policy and incentives that foster solar implementation. The second portion of the course illustrates how policy affects the financial viability of renewable energy projects.

NOTE: Opting to take this as a stand-alone will not count towards the 40 – hour CREM program.

Price: $199, NCSEA Members, 10% discount. Call 919-513-2161 to register as NCSEA member.

Do you have an opinion on clean energy in the High Country, or do you want to learn more? Appalachian State University will be hosting the forum Energy Innovation in the High Country. The objective of this forum is to discuss current energy issues in our area, and collaborate on ways to move forward. Local business leaders, industry experts, and ASU faculty will provide their professional opinions on the subject. Community members are encouraged to attend the event and voice their opinions. The forum will include small group discussions on various clean energy topics, such as financing, state/federal policy, and available technology.

What: ENV 7200: Solar Photovoltaics for the New Clean Energy Economy

When: March 6th to March 24th, 2012. Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6-9; Saturdays 9-3

Where: Central Campus

Registration Fee: $749

To register: Call (704) 330-4223

Position your business to profit from the growing demand for clean sources of energy. Central Piedmont Community College’s Center for Sustainability invites you to learn more about the business of photovoltaics by attending “Solar Photovoltaics for the New Clean Energy Economy.”

Intended for individuals who understand the basics of electricity and electric generation, this class will focus on detailed functionality of photovoltaic (PV) system components, and all common PV systems, from straight water pumping to stand alone battery based systems, and grid tie PV with and without batteries. Students will be able to design and size these systems, and see what is involved with interconnection to the utility.

About the Instructors:

Sean Hackett, NABCEP-certified systems designer and technician
Sean has expertise in customizing solutions for electrical applications, including solar battery charging systems and renewable energy based water pumping systems for residential, agricultural and industrial requirements. Sean graduated from Appalachian State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with a concentration in Appropriate Technology. Sean is passionate about outdoor adventure and enjoys rock climbing, the ocean breeze and the clean power provided by environmentally safe renewable energy.

You are invited to participate in an economic development workshop scheduled for March 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Carolina State University-College of Natural Resources (Jordan Hall Addition, Room 1216).  The workshop agenda is attached to this email message, "Wood to Energy II: Promoting BioEnergy in Your Neck of the Woods".

Participants in this single day workshop will learn about biomass and biofuel resources within North Carolina, the economic benefits and job creation from bioenergy projects, bioenergy industry trends, public and private partnerships, policy and market development, port authority updates and opportunities, and available resources and tools to help recruit sustainable bioenergy industries to North Carolina.   Participants from the first workshop included economic developers, county commissioners, military growth task force members, biomass industry entrepreneurs and experts, university professors, and representatives from the North Carolina Biofuels Center and Division of Environmental and Natural Resources.

Online registration and additional details are posted here or contact: Natasha James, NCSU-FEOP Program Assistant, NC State University Extension Forestry, at (919) 515-9563.

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) is presenting, along with the region’s leading solar company Cape Fear Solar Systems, a free public seminar about the advantages of solar power and how homeowners can benefit from today’s technology and the current structure of tax incentives and other financial rebates.

This unique lecture will explain various types of solar systems, describe available rebates and incentives, and present the current trends in renewable energy adoption. The learning experience will be amplified by visiting a home with integrated solar systems. Registered guests will have the chance to see both photovoltaic and solar thermal systems in operation, speak with the homeowners about their experience of going solar, and how implementing alternative energy affects their energy costs.

Speakers will include Miriam Makhyoun, Solar and Renewable Energy Industry Specialist at NCSEA, Suzanne Gooding, NCSEA’s Community Education and Relations Specialist and John Donoghue, President of Cape Fear Solar Systems and one of four people in the United States that achieved triple NABCEP Certification™ in Solar PV, Solar Thermal and Solar PV Technical Sales.

Come and learn why there is a growing demand for solar power and how YOUR home can benefit from the power of the sun!

When: 2–5pm, March 10

Where: Dye Clubhouse, Country Club of Landfall, Wilmington

Light, delightful refreshments will be served.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, please call 910-202-4028 or send an email to pr@CapeFearSolarSystems.com. The registration will close on Wednesday, March 7.

Guests will be provided with further details including the event’s program, address, and entrance instructions upon their registration. Please note that attendees who have not registered will not be allowed to enter the Landfall community.

The Renergy 2012 Conference will be focused towards enabling Tamil Nadu become even more attractive to renewable energy investors and entrepreneurs. To this end, the conference will analyse critical pain points for the primary renewable energy sectors solar, wind, biomass, waste to energy, energy efficiency. The conference will feature expert speakers from all over India who will share their insights and perspectives on accelerating the adoption of renewable energy in Tamil Nadu in specific, and India in general. The Renergy 2012 Exhibition will focus on exhibiting and promoting solutions from diverse stakeholders along the business value chain for all renewable energy sectors. The vision for the exhibition is to enable the industry and end users to understand the latest available renewable energy solutions, and for the solution providers to gain relevant exposure for their solutions and to understand the needs of the target segments. The exhibition will be organized along themes closely reflecting that of the conference sessions, there by ensuring that the focused industry professionals and delegates who attend the conference will also have an opportunity to interact with the exhibitors.

http://www.renergy2012.com/

Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for the New Energy Era offers actionable solutions for four energy-intensive sectors of the economy: transportation, buildings, industry, and electricity.

Built on Rocky Mountain Institute’s 30 years of research and work in the field, Reinventing Fire maps pathways for running a 158%-bigger U.S. economy in 2050 but needing no oil, no coal, and no nuclear energy.

Come hear Amory Lovins, the author of this new study on March 13 at 1:30 p.m. in Witherspoon Student Center, Room 117 at NC State University in Raleigh, NC

To register, click here. To listen to an NPR interview with, Lovins, click here.

Transportation Biofuels will be the  theme of the 2012 BioEnergy Symposium. Participants will hear from and talk with academics, engineers, industry representatives, state agencies and nonprofits with bioenergy expertise about all aspects of biofuels used in transportation. The symposium is offered as a venue for community education and dialogue among stakeholders such as municipal decision-makers, regulators, citizen advocacy groups and residents to learn about the biofuels industry. For more information: http://eao.uncc.edu/bioenergysymposium.html

Brunswick Community College Economic and Workforce Development in a Partnership with the North Carolina Military Business Center would like to invite you to participate as a corporate sponsor, exhibitor, or participant.

Second Sustainability Symposium & Expo

for Southeastern North Carolina

This year’s theme “The Business of Sustainability.” The Symposium aims to explore the many inter-related aspects of incorporating sustainability practices, training, and opportunities for business, industry, federal and state agencies, and the public. The event will provide the opportunity to network one-on-one, promote resources, and learn about sustainability practices and certifications.

When: Friday, March 16, 2012 from 8:00 – 3:00 pm.

Where: Brunswick Community College Leland Center for Economic and Workforce Development

Address: 2050 Enterprise Drive, Leland, NC 28451 (Leland Industrial Park off HWY 74/76)

Purpose: The event explores policies and practices necessary to unlock the opportunities a green business represents. This year we will have twelve breakout sessions, some of the topics are:

• Sustainability Strategies for companies: How Coca-Cola is incorporating sustainability
• What is a B Corporation from the eyes of a real estate B corporation
• Sustainable tourism: Sustainability for golf courses using Best Management Practices (BMP)
• Solid waste and commercial recycling
• Business opportunities in sustainability and recycling: NCMBC Doing business with the Federal Government computer- lab workshop
• Return on Investment through energy conservation and renewable energy
• What is the triple bottom line?
• Biotechnology’s approach to Sustainability
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Renewable energy: What is happening in North Carolina with wind and solar