11th Annual Montana Clean Energy Fair took place in Butte, America on Saturday, August 13th, 2022.
We were thrilled to be bringing the Montana Clean Energy Fair back to Butte in 2022 – where both MREA and the Fair were started.
3040 Continental Ave. (NCAT Building) | 9:00am to 3:30 pm
The Fair is free and open to the public. No tickets or registration are required.
This event will follow all local and county health and safety requirements.
To get updates on the Fair and all of MREA's latest happenings, join our mailing list.
FAIR INFO QUICK LINKS:
Workshop Schedule | Exhibitors | Kids Activities Schedule | Raffle Prizes
Sponsors | Online Sponsor and Vendor Registration
Never been to the Fair? Take a look at our Montana Clean Energy Fair video to see what it's like:
Fair Workshop Schedule
Workshops will take place throughout the day, starting at 10 am and running through 2:45 pm. Renewable energy experts and professionals begin each workshop with a presentation on topics such as Smart Solar Shopping, Solar Electricity Basics, or Batteries and Storage. Lasting about 45 minutes, each Workshop concludes with plenty of time for discussion and Q&A, ensuring you get the most out of your time with our distinguished presenters! Click on the dropdown menus below to read more about each workshop.
10:00 am: Smart Solar Shopping (Tent 1)
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)
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)
Think solar is expensive? When’s the last time you checked? Solar photovoltaic costs have dropped dramatically over the last 10 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)
Karl Haslbauer, EV Car Owner
Get the low-down on electric cars (and bikes!) 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 owners – this electric car and bike show is a truly unique event for Montanans!
12:00 pm: Energy Conservation and Efficiency (Tent 1)
Russel O’Leary
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 Green Energy Economic Development: The Resilient Butte Project (Tent 2)
Rylie Yaeger, AmeriCorps VISTA member and coordinator Resilient Butte Project
The Resilient Butte Project is a partnership led by NCAT, the City and County of Butte-Silver Bow, and Montana Tech University. The project consists of two dimensions: climate adaptation and green energy economic development. Presenters will discuss opportunities for public involvement in a green energy plan, which may include renewable energy development and residential and commercial energy efficiency initiatives. They also will discuss Butte’s interest in developing a clean energy demonstration project under a new U.S. Department of Energy program funded through the bipartisan infrastructure bill: The Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land.
1:00 pm: Off-Grid Living (Tent 1)
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)
Andrew Valainis, Montana Renewable Energy Association
Energy is a policy driven industry. From rooftop solar to large-scale wind farms, and tax incentives to financing options, the policies and regulations that decision makers adopt will impact the ways that Montana’s households and businesses invest in renewable energy. Join our speakers for a discussion of the latest in state and federal energy policy developments.
2:00 pm: The All-Electric Home: Space Heating and Water Heating with Heat Pumps and Solar (Tent 1)
Remember when most homes were heated with electricity? Well, because of our fossil fuel dilemma there is a trend to move back towards all electric, but this time from clean electric sources! Todd Hoitsma of Bozeman has installed over 250 solar thermal and high efficiency radiant heat systems in Montana since 1996. Always researching and testing out innovations in energy hardware, he is excited to share his experience with Air-to-Water Heat Pumps — which allows for net-metered solar homes to be fully zero-fossil fuel based-- including the space heating demands of the building. These systems, along with both solar PV and solar thermal can meet the high hot water demands of commercial apartment complexes as well.
2:00 pm: The Future of Energy in the Northwest (Tent 2)
Montana’s energy landscape has changed significantly over the past several years. Two of the four units at Colstrip have closed, and utility-scale solar+storage and wind projects continue moving forward. The Montana legislature is researching nuclear energy development, and developers are still contemplating large-scale storage and hydrogen projects. Meanwhile, the energy system and energy markets in the Northwest region are becoming more interconnected and interdependent. Montana’s energy future is evolving, and is unavoidably tied to the future of the energy system in the Northwest. Join us as our experts gaze into their crystal balls to give a preview of the future of clean energy development in and around Montana.
3:00 pm– 3:20 pm: 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 Bintelli (750W) electric bike from Maverick Motorsports in Butte. This beautiful 26”, 7-speed, fat-tire bike has a top speed of 20 mph and charges in 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 pm – 5:00 pm: Solar Home Tour
After the fair, get an in-depth experience of a new net-metered, solar-powered home! Visit a home just down the road (less than one mile away) from the fair to hear first-hand about what it means to produce your own energy from the sun. The house features a large, new grid-intertied solar electric system and inverter. 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.
10:00 am: Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training Tour (NCAT Booth)
In conjunction with the Clean Energy Fair, NCAT will be holding an open house for all visitors to tour the Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training (SIFT) agricultural program. Come learn about hi-tunnel construction, solar passive greenhouses, and season extension tools useful in SW Montana. We will discuss different construction plans, costs and function of extension tools. Learn about using the resources readily available to operate a sustainable farm.
Exhibitors
Stop by our exhibitor area to visit with renewable energy businesses, advocacy and education groups, and more!
- AMERESCO
- Balance Engineering LLC
- Bozeman Green Build
- Clearwater Credit Union
- Coffman Engineers
- EnergiSystems
- Forward Montana
- Jordan Solar
- Maverick Motorsports
- Mom's Clean Air Force
- Montana Conservation Voters
- Montana Energy Office at DEQ
- Montana Environmental Information Center
- Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate
- Montana Wildlife Federation
- National Center for Appropriate Technology
- NorthWestern Energy
- OnSite Energy
- Purelight Power
- RES Americas
Kids Activities Schedule
The Fair features fun and educational activities for kids, like face painting, a coloring and drawing station, and a bouncy castle as wells as 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!
Raffle Items
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 Bintelli M1 Electric Fat Tire Bike (750W) from Maverick Motorsports in Butte. This 26 x 4”, 7-speed fat-tire bike has a top speed of approx. 20mph, and charges in about 4-6 hours. Other prizes include items from Patagonia, 5518 Designs, and other local businesses, breweries, and restaurants – all for $1 per ticket! You can buy tickets at the MREA booth. You must be present to win.
Sponsors
Clean and Green Level Sponsors
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
Supporters
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 an electric car and bike show. Commercial auto dealers must register in advance. Private owners please contact us for information about showing your car at: info@montanarenewables.org
- Food Vendors: We are seeking food vendors to participate in the fair.
>> Download the Sponsor and Exhibitor Form <<
Sponsors, Exhibitors, Food Vendors, and Auto Dealers 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.
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