10th Annual Montana Clean Energy Fair heads to Butte, America on Saturday, August 14th!
After missing out on the Fair last year, we are thrilled to be bringing the Montana Clean Energy Fair back. The 2021 Fair will be hosted in Butte – where both MREA and the Fair were started. Stay tuned for more updates.
This event will follow all local and county health and safety requirements.
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FAIR INFO QUICK LINKS:
Workshop Schedule | Kids Activities Schedule | Raffle Prizes
Online Sponsor and Vendor Registration | Sponsors
Never been to the Fair? Take a look at some of the photos from previous Fairs:
Fair Workshop Schedule
The Workshops will take place through the day, starting at 10 am and running through 2:45 pm. This year’s schedule features some crowd favorites, like Smart Solar Shopping and Solar Electricity Basics, as well as some new additions, including a presentation on Renewables + Agriculture and a panel discussion on Large-scale Renewable Energy Development.
10:00 am: Smart Solar Shopping (Tent 1)
Meranda Bass, Montana Energy Office, Department of Environmental Quality
Paul Herendeen, Clearwater Credit Union
I’m thinking about solar electricity – where do I start? Learn how to set appropriate solar goals for your home or business, estimate costs, find a contractor, and review solar bids. Plus, our speakers will go over the incentives, tax credits, low interest loans, and other programs that can help you finance your renewable energy project. Find out which incentives will work for you, and see how your investment will net returns. This session is a must for anyone who’s interested in the exciting market of solar energy.
10:00 am: Batteries and Storage for Homes and Businesses (Tent 2)
Dan Brandborg, SBS Solar
Have you been wondering when and if you need batteries for emergency backup or how to store electricity for your on-grid or off-grid house? Learn about battery history, options, and the evolving technologies of energy storage. Plus, hear about the future potential for “vehicle-to-grid” tech. The battery revolution is on and is poised to change our entire way of thinking about electricity and independence!
11:00 am: Solar Electricity Basics (Tent 1)
Dave Ryan, Balance Engineering
Think solar is expensive? When’s the last time you checked? Solar photovoltaic costs have dropped dramatically over the last 5 years, and there's never been a better time to produce your own power from the sun. Plus, technology improvements mean you’re getting more energy from the same sized panels. Learn the ins and outs about using solar to produce your own energy.
11:00 am: Electric Vehicles Show-and-Tell (Tent 2)
Dan Lloyd, Montana Energy Office at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Karl Haslbauer, EV Car Owner
Get the low-down on electric cars and what they have to offer you and your community. Learn about technology options, charging, price trends, and more. Plus, learn about plans for charging transportation infrastructure around the state. This workshop ends with a hands-on show and tell from EV car owners – this electric car show is a truly unique event for Montanans!
12:00 pm: Energy Conservation and Efficiency (Tent 1)
Susan Bilo, Energy and Sustainability Professor
Learn the multiple benefits of conserving energy and go home with tips for finding and purchasing energy- and water-efficient appliances, fixtures, and equipment. This presentation will help you understand how you can lower your energy bills by using less, and will also cover efficiency's critical role in sizing renewable energy systems.
12:00 pm Renewables + Agriculture (Tent 2)
Steve Thompson, National Center for Appropriate Technology
Andrew Coggins, National Center for Appropriate Technology
Victorian Tilley, National Center for Appropriate Technology
How can farming and ranching operations take advantage of their solar resource? Can land being used for solar also be used to grow crops and graze animals? What about pollinators? These are just a few of the questions discussed during this interesting and fun presentation. Also, learn about harnessing energy for crop production through season extension strategies on NCAT's demonstration farm. This presentation will be from specialists at the National Center for Appropriate Technology.
1:00 pm: Off-Grid Living (Tent 1)
Wayne Baker, Baker Light Industries
Trying to power an RV, cabin or a remote home? Or just wanting to be more self-sufficient? Learn the basics of off-grid technologies, such as battery storage and load planning and management, and hear first-hand what it takes to cut the power cord.
1:00 pm: Renewable Energy Policy (Tent 2)
Conor Ploeger, Montana Environmental Information Center
Andrew Valainis, Montana Renewable Energy Association
The 2021 Legislative Session resulted in significant shifts to the state’s energy landscape. Some were good, but most were bad, and all of it impacted Montana’s future energy development. Learn about the good, the bad, the ugly and the still-yet-to-come from two energy advocates who were in the hallways this winter.
2:00 pm: Large-scale Renewables and Storage (Tent 2)
James Ferguson, Broad Reach Power
Yvan Moosmann, Mitsubishi Power Americas
Montana has tremendous wind and solar resources, which are being harnessed by large scale projects across the state. Developers are also exploring new technologies and innovations, like renewable hydrogen or pairing solar and wind with large-scale storage. Learn what’s on the horizon for large-scale wind, solar, and clean hydrogen development in the state.
3:00 – 3:20: Raffle Prizes -- Electric Bicycle Grand Prize (Tent 1)
Don’t forget to stop by the Montana Renewable Energy Association booth any time before 3:00 pm and enter a raffle for the chance to win great prizes, including your own e-bike valued at over $2,000! Our Grand Prize is a Sand Viper (500W) electric bike from Staack’s Motorsports in Butte. This 26 x 4”, 7-speed fat-tire bike has a top speed of approx. 20mph, and charges is just about 4 hours. Other prizes include items from local businesses, breweries, and restaurants – all for $1 per ticket! You can buy tickets at the MREA booth. You must be present to win.
4:00 – 5:00: Solar Home Tour
After the fair, get an in-depth experience with a solar-powered home! Visit a solar powered home just a couple blocks from the fair to learn first-hand about what it means to produce your own energy from the sun. Our host will walk through their experience with the installation, cost, and how owning solar has impacted their life. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. Get all the details at the MREA booth during the Fair.
Kids Activities Schedule
The Fair features fun and educational activities for kids. The Fair features face painting, a coloring and drawing station and a bouncy castle. Plus we will have workshops on solar cooking (bake cookies in a solar oven) and model solar car assembly and races!
All-Day Activities (9 am to 3:30 pm)
• Bouncy Castle
• Face Painting
• Coloring and Drawing Station
11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Solar Cooking (recommended for ages 6 and up)
Build your very own pizza box solar oven and cook up some treats!
12:00 – 1:00 pm: Recycled Art Projects (recommended for ages 6 and up)
Create works of art from commonly used household items!
1:00 – 2:30 pm: Model Solar Car Assembly and Racing (recommended for ages 8 and up)
Build a model solar racing car from kits provided by MREA. Races will be ongoing as models are completed, with awards for all racers! Want to keep your racing car? Kits can be purchased for $5 at the main MREA booth.
Raffle Items
Don’t forget to stop by the Montana Renewable Energy Association booth any time before 2:45 pm and enter a raffle for the chance to win many great prizes!
Our Grand Prize is a Sand Viper (500W) electric bike from Staack’s Motorsports in Butte. This 26 x 4”, 7-speed fat-tire bike has a top speed of approx. 20mph and charges is just about 4 hours. Other prizes include items from local businesses, breweries, and restaurants!
Other raffle prizes include:
- Backpacks, sweaters, and more from Patagonia
- Gift certificates to the Uptown Cafe
- Gift cards and bottles of Montana Smoke Jumper Hot Sauce from Mackenzie River Pizza - Butte
- Gift basket from Headframe Spirits
- And more!
You can buy raffle tickets at the MREA booth. You must be present to win.
Want to support the Fair by donating a raffle prize? Please reach out to us at: info@montanarenewables.org
Sponsors, Exhibitors, Food Vendors, and Car-show Registration
There are four ways to participate in the Fair:
- Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsoring the Clean Energy Fair gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to renewable energy and gain exposure for your business. A variety of sponsorship packages are available.
- Exhibitors: We have spaces available for businesses and organizations in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainability, or related topics to display information and/or demonstrate their products.
- Auto Dealers and Car Owners: The fair will feature a car show and rally showcasing electric vehicles. There is a two-vehicle limit for commercial auto dealers. Private owners please contact us for information about showing your car.
- Food Vendors: We are also seeking food vendors to participate in the fair.
>> Download the Sponsor and Exhibitor Form <<
Sponsors and Vendors can register online using the Register button below. Or, you can print and complete Page 3 of the Form and mail it back to MREA at the address provided.
Sponsors
Clean and Green Level Sponsors
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
Supporters
