Crestone Solar School
www.crestonesolarschool.com
"What I liked best was the hands-on, small classes, and short overall time frame. Paul's knowledge - priceless! Thank you very much!"
Trish - Colorado
"The classroom material was presented in a clear manner and with great patience from teacher to student."
"Practice makes perfect, you teach us something and before we leave you make us apply it."
"Paul's classes teaches how to teach yourself. He gets your mind going so you can become a pioneer (open imagination)."
Justin - Wyoming
"Paul's strengths are patience, kind, helpful...I was never afraid a question would be stupid, also good sense of humor."
"The flow of the weekend was well planned, stuck to schedule, everything happened on time."
"I like best how you made us solve our own problems, whether individual or group effort where we got to work together."
Katie - Wyoming
"Covered all aspects of Solar Design from thermal mass, solar heat loss and calculations for doing the design planning. Great overview. Good clear explanation of concepts. Good friendly attitude, willing to discuss all questions."
Daniel S. – Colorado
"I liked the home tours and hands-on experience as I can apply concepts to real world situations. Very knowledgeable instructor, thank you."
Rhianna B. - Colorado
"I liked the atmosphere and the field trips, seeing how solar systems work; very smart instructor; a lot of experience!"
Jeanne M. – Colorado
"Great job, Paul. I learned a lot of useful information."
Mark H. – Colorado
"You’re able to learn the basics of solar power so you have your foot in the door. He firmly believes in what he’s doing, which is admirable."
Colby S. – Colorado
"Doing lots of calculation helped me understand how to get the answer we were looking for. The more calculations we did the more I was able to understand."
Anonymous -
"I think the workshop gave me a basic foundation to apply solar energy principles to any future endeavors I should pursue in the solar and alternative energy fields. The workshop opened my eyes and mind to the fact that I am a small part of trying to give back to the ecological system I share with humanity. But I need to start somewhere and begin by doing my part to educate and help other people use some of the principles shared in the workshop."
From August 2008 workshop -
"Having the workbook manual that Paul put together was great. He went through the manual with lots of explanations. Very thorough."
Anonymous -
"What I liked best was the background info – the “dig deeper” process. Expectations were set each day and we reached it. Very comfortable teaching style."
Anonymous -
"I use computer heat loss programs so it was good to go over the math behind it. I also use a solar pathfinder so it was good to understand the math."
Anonymous -
"Good material and lecture style. I am a field guy, so sitting around all day is difficult."
Anonymous -
“Paul Shippee is an award winning designer of passive solar homes. I recently took part in his 4 day workshop entitled, “Solar Heating Design and Natural Building” and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking passive solar expertise. The teachings struck a perfect balance between practical application, mathematical theory, and conceptual overview. Students will be introduced to advanced concepts of Paul's approach to designing for efficiency and performance in passive solar and solar thermal heating and cooling systems. Topics explored in depth, both conceptually and mathematically, included designing for heat flow efficiency, selecting building materials and thermal mass, and calculating a given location's solar energy potential. Numerous practical demonstrations of solar thermal, solar photovoltaics (electric), and thermal mass reinforced the daily lectures. The workbook contains all of the essentials for calculating and implementing passive solar energy design concepts in any development. I'll be back for the advanced workshops!”
Paul Spata
- Chicago
“What Paul has done very well is present a sustainable vision. From his initial discussion of Peak Oil to taking us to a community garden, he's inviting us to think through the problems and consider solutions. Rather than a vocational approach that instructs us simply how to build things - although I do think I could more or less put together a flat plat solar collector based on our exercise - he's teaching First Principles, which will take us farther in the long run.”
Peter C.
- Colorado
“Overall, I enjoyed the Paul Shippee experience, which is what I have decided to call my Solar School experience. It introduced me to a way of living that I have never truly experienced. I really enjoyed it. I also learned a great deal about solar thermal design and sustainability. Paul's willingness to share his knowledge of design, his favorite books, and his way of life was refreshing and helpful……I think that your course was an excellent jumpstart to my Masters in Architecture.”
Brooke S.
- Oregon
“Paul, the workshop was quite good, and I don't think you should mess with your format too much. You clearly know your field and that comes across strongly.”
Catharine
- California
“WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO LEARN ABOUT NATURAL GREEN BUILDING IN SOLAR ENERGY DESIGN. IT'S CONFUSING BUT PRECIOUS TO LEARN ABOUT HOW TO MEASURE.”
Jasper C.
- Vancouver
“What I enjoyed the most was your flexibility with the class and your willingness to depart from, or avoid, a rigid learning environment. I know that it wasn't always an easy setting for those who may need a more defined learning structure, but I appreciate the fact that we probably all walked away from the class having learned many different lessons pertinent to who we are individually.”
Christinia
- Colorado
“Thanks for all things ...Your session was, for me, as much a health seminar as much as a passive solar seminar. I am still eating healthy and I am still losing weight.”
Jerry
- Los Angeles
"I liked the in-depth way things were covered; I am very pleased."
Anonymous -
"A great job, I could ask any question and not feel it was an imposition to ask."
Anonymous -
"Math process and language was very helpful. No one takes the time to lay it all out like this and it really helped."
Anonymous -
"I learned a lot more than I thought I would; learning about heat loss was very helpful."
Anonymous -
"Thoughtful, succinct!"
Anonymous -
"Paul was great at explaining things on a fundamental level."
Anonymous -
"Never had a boring moment in the class."
Anonymous -