Thanks to two grants, Helena High School recently installed a 4.7-kilowatt solar electric system that will be used both to generate green power and to serve as an educational tool. According to a report in the Independent Record, a student environmental group was awarded an $18,000 grant from Northwestern Energy and $3,000 from the Helena Education Foundation to purchase and install the system. Read the full story at http://helenair.com/news/local/education/helena-high-solar-panels-will-help-power-school-provide-educational/article_ecfc2f5a-c1b0-11e1-8e22-001a4bcf887a.html.

The Montana Whitewater Rafting Company in Gallatin Canyon has been awarded a $6,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to install a photovoltaic system on one of the facility’s buildings. According to a report from KPAX TV News, the system will not only reduce the company energy costs, but will also serve as an educational opportunity for the community. Read the full story at http://www.kpax.com/news/gallatin-rafting-company-goes-solar/.

Join the Montana Renewable Energy Association (MREA) for its 2nd Annual Montana Renewable Energy Fair. The fair is free and open to the public and will feature workshops on solar, wind, micro-hydro, and other technologies led by experts from across the state, as well as a hybrid and electric vehicle exhibit, local food, live entertainment, and kids’ activities including a bouncy castle and solar car races.

The fair will be held Saturday, July 21, from 9 am to 5 pm, at the National Center for Appropriate Technology, 3040 Continental Drive, Butte. For more information, visit www.montanarenewables.org or call (406) 214-9405.

The Alternative Energy Resource Organization (AERO) is hosting an Energy Solutions Workshop on Friday, June 15, in Missoula. The event will include presentations on financing energy projects, home energy audits, renewable energy basics, passive solar principles, and more. For more information and to register, visit www.aeromt.org/2012/04/27/save-the-date-energy-solutions-workshop-in-missoula-on-june-15th/.

NCAT will offer two Home Energy Rater trainings later this year. The workshops provide comprehensive energy auditor training with an emphasis on new residential construction and the HERS rating process. The training will incorporate information about the ENERGY STAR New Homes program, which is operated both nationally and in the four Northwest states. This training is intended to prepare participants to take the tests necessary to become a certified HERS Rater, a Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes Verifier, and a Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes Performance Tester

The workshop is being offered July 23-27 in Butte, and October 8-12 in Missoula. Get details about the training, including registration information, at www.ncat.org/pdf/HERS_Training_Info_2012.pdf.