Southwest Solaradobe School
April Newsletter 2007

Dear Reader, (Español)

We appreciate your on-line subscription to the SWSA newsletter. In case you don't recall who we are, check out the web site at www.adobebuilder.com

We have two items of interest for this newsletter:

Adobe Builder #12 available. This new edition has been out for a short time, but is not yet available on our web site. In the meantime, we will sell and send individual copies for $10. The price includes priority mail to U.S. readers or airmail to those ordering from Latin America. Orders should go to Adobe Builder, POB 153, Bosque, New Mexico 87006. Checks should be made out to SWSA or utilize Western Union. Email us at adobebuilder@juno.com for Western Union notes.

#12 is still the large format: 11" x 15",  52 pages. Color and B&W. Articles on technical aspects of Adobe and pressed earth block, news about projects in the U.S. and México, Rammed Earth update, Adobe facility news, custom adobe in California, Solar adobes in New Mexico and more.  

Roatán Island Solar-electric Class, June 12 & 13 , 2007. (Tuesday & Wednesday)

If you are interested in generating your own electric power from the sun, here is an opportunity to learn, while visiting the island of Roatán, located in the Western Caribbean, 25 miles off the Honduran coast.  For some, this can be a worthwhile combination of education and vacation ~ major airlines fly to the island, which is also accessible by ferry from the mainland.

With its excellent reefs and tropical setting, Roatán is a popular vacation destination with a growing population. But the conventional electrical supply on the island is challenged by this growth. Many residents have no power, or inadequate power. While a few have installed solar-electric systems, most residents have no frame of reference for solar-electric or how to install a system that could help them with lighting, water pumping, fans, or computers.

Southwest Solaradobe and Seminarios de Las Islas de La Bahía, S.A. will conduct the two-day seminar. The objective is to disseminate practical information about low-cost solar-electric installations for homeowners, builders, island electricians, students and other interested parties. All instruction will be in both Spanish and English. 

We will begin with simple, low-cost systems and progress to those that can power an entire home. We will not ignore island environmental concerns- designing solar-electric systems that blend with the scenery and the proper recycling and disposal of electrical components, such as batteries.

We are fortunate to have excellent instructors. From the Honduran mainland, Soluciones Energeticas of Tegucigalpa will teach. Their store is one of Central America's leading providers of solar-electric components. Also from Honduras will be architect Angela Stassano of San Pedro Sula. She will describe her solar electric system, installed in her home on Lake Yojoa. Marlene Brown will also be a teacher. She is President of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association. Suyapa Edwards of Parrot Tree Plantation will help with coordination between the Honduran island schools and the seminar. Carlos Assaf, a native of Yoro, Honduras and an island resident, will act as official translator.

Registration Costs: 
From Canada, U.S., & Europe: $249 single, $423 for 2 registering together.
Latin American & Honduran Professionals: $125 single or $212 for two registering together.
Honduran citizens, university students from América Latina: $60 single or $102 for two registering together.

These prices, on-line registration for credit card users and island travel details are available at www.adobebuilder.com in English and Spanish. 

EMail us about your registration questions to adobebuilder@juno.com