Builders, homeowners and energy design experts convene at DECC

• Solar panel

Jen French (left), a structural engineer with LHB, looks at a solar panel with Gary Shaver during the Energy Design Conference & Expo on Wednesday. Shaver is the CEO of Silicon Energy, a company that produces solar panels in Mt. Iron, Minn., and had a booth at the event. Photo by Naomi Yaeger/ nyaeger@duluthbudgeteer.com

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More than 700 registered participants attended the 2012 Energy Design Conference & Expo, which took place at the DECC Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 20 to 22. The event was geared toward builders, contractors, architects, engineers and weatherization experts as well as homeowners and students.

Some 52 companies and organizations displayed their products and expertise at booths. Amanda Oja, a marketing coordinator for Minnesota Power, coordinated the event. She said the event was for anyone interested in energy-effective building and wise building choices and was hosted by Minnesota Power and 11 partner organizations and companies.

When the conference started in 1990, it was a one-day conference. This year’s conference included presentations from 40 experts from as close as Duluth to as far away as Chicago and Canada who shared their knowledge on subjects such as what architects need to know about geothermal parameters, remodeling and retrofitting and indoor air quality.

Continuing education credits were available to some attendees who attended the presentations.

Next year’s Energy Design Conference & Expo is scheduled for Feb. 26 and 27. To learn more, visit www.duluthenergydesign.com.

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