LAKEPORT, Calif. – Energy efficiency professionals in Lake County will have several opportunities to attend free classes throughout the county which will be presented by Lake County Energy Watch.

Launched on Nov. 5, 2010, the “Lake County Energy Watch” program gives businesses, non-profits, special districts, municipal facilities, and residents new opportunities to achieve significant energy savings while saving money.

The first class, "Energy Careers and Business Opportunities" will be held April 28, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Calpine Geothermal Visitor Center, 15500 Central Park Road in Middletown.

This class is open to anyone who has an interest in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy; a basic knowledge of energy concepts would be helpful.

This full-day seminar will cover the California state policies and programs that are creating new and expanded business opportunities for energy professionals.

The seminar also describes technology and economics about solar (electric and water heating), energy monitoring and smart metering.

Participants will learn how energy efficiency programs are created and funded and will take part in a review of energy economics, using residential examples.

Various business models will be reviewed and the various certification and training options available to energy service professionals will be discussed.

This fast-paced and entertaining seminar is taught by Liz Merry, a solar industry specialist working in the energy industry since 2001.

The second class to be offered, "Identifying Energy Efficient Upgrades and Incentives," will be held May 19, 9 a.m. to noon at the El Grande Inn, 15135 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

This half-day course, taught by Mark Jewell, whose experience includes over 25 years in commercial real estate and more than 15 years in energy efficiency, will explore the most time-efficient and cost-effective approaches to identifying energy-saving measures for your building, how the utility's incentive offerings can reduce cost and improve financial returns, and how properly evaluating the costs and benefits of proposed upgrades can help get these projects approved.

“Residential Lighting: Title 24 and Technology Update,” is the third class in the series and is scheduled for June 15, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This class will be held in the Lake County Board of Supervisors Chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.

Taught by Kelly Cunningham, outreach coordinator for the California Lighting Technology Center, this class will help home builders meet California's residential energy code requirements that the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC), with support from California public utilities, developed: The Residential Lighting Design Guide, Best Practices and Lighting Design to Help Builders Comply with California's 2008 Title 24 Energy Code.

This half-day class describes the research behind the code requirements, upcoming code changes with special emphasis on emerging energy efficient technologies. Geared towards architects, builders, contractors, designers, and inspectors, this class requires a general knowledge of the Title 24 residential lighting code.

“Planning a Zero Energy New or Existing Home in California,” is the fourth class presented by the Lake County Energy Watch program, and will be held July 21, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Lodge at Blue Lakes, 5135 W. State Highway 20 in Upper Lake.

This intermediate- to advanced-level class is intended for architects, builders, home performance contractors, designers, engineers, and utility staff who are interested in or have experience with Zero Energy Home projects.

The concept of a net Zero Energy Home (ZEH) is to reduce electrical loads to the point that the home's photovoltaic system annually supplies as much electricity to the utility grid as the home uses. Not only does it require a clear understanding of the climate, building enclosure, and internal loads, but the house also must be monitored upon completion to evaluate its actual performance.

This unique class covers the history, challenges, and realities of designing and building ZEHs. Researcher Danny Parker will astonish, enlighten, and entertain with his fascinating perspective on why, how, and what it really takes to achieve a ZEH. Topics include Energy Gauge modeling, performance monitoring, rebates, and incentives.

All classes include a continental breakfast; the full-day classes also include a complimentary lunch. Registration is required. Visit the Lake County Watch Web page at www.energy.co.lake.ca.us, and select "Classes for Professionals" on the left-hand side of the page.

In addition to presenting classes for energy efficiency professionals, Lake County Energy Watch is partnering with Robert Heath and Associates to provide no- and low-cost lighting retrofits for government facilities – including city, state, and federal facilities located in Lake County - as well as to non-profit organizations, small businesses and special districts.

RHA oversees the Energy Fitness Program, an energy efficiency program available to all non-residential Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers in Lake County who use less than 200 kW of electricity per month.

The Energy Fitness Program offers lighting retrofits (remove and replace existing lighting for high energy efficient lighting) at no- or low-cost.

The retrofits include four and eight foot linear fixtures , high bay fixtures, Energy Star compact fluorescent lamps, LED exit signs or retro kits, occupancy sensors, vending machine controllers, faucet aerators, as well as additional LED and other cost effective savings measures.

Most of these measures are at absolutely no cost – including removal and installation – with just a few of the options requiring a nominal surcharge.

Lake County Energy Watch was awarded $10,000 by PG&E to assist non-profit organizations in Lake County with paying any applicable surcharge for lighting retrofits. When nonprofits receive services from RHA through the Lake County Energy Watch program, RHA will invoice Lake County Energy Watch on behalf of the eligible organization.

Lake County Energy Watch is administered by PG&E using funding from California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Energy Watch partnerships are designed to help local governments and their communities lower their energy bills and enjoy a cleaner environment.

Since July of 2008, District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing has worked with community volunteers on the Lake County Energy Policy Council and County staff to launch Lake County Energy Watch.

LCEW will help save the County thousands of dollars in energy costs, provide funding for staff time, make educational materials and classes available to the community, and provide outreach throughout the duration of this project, which will end Dec. 31, 2012.

Energy efficiency measures implemented during the contract period will continue to garner savings into the future for the County and the community.

For more information about the Lake County Energy Watch program, contact Michalyn DelValle at 707-263-2221 or visit www.energy.co.lake.ca.us .