OGLE COUNTY (WIFR) -- The Illinois Renewable Energy Association (IREA) will be offering a variety of classes this fall.

Most will focus on renewable energy; one will focus on food independence. They will be offered at the IREA headquarters, the Kickapoo Nature Center, Rock Island, and both Rock Valley and Illinois Valley Community Colleges.

Oregon, Illinois: To register for any of the Oregon or Rock Island classes, email sonia@essex1.com. Advanced registration is essential.

Small Wind Generators for Homeowners, offered Sat., Sept. 18 from 10 am - 3 pm, will include lecture, discussion, and hands-on experiences. Class members will take, down, disassemble and reassemble a wind generator that has produced power since spring, 2005.

In Nov. (date TBA) Make a Solar Collector will involve participants in actually making and installing a hot air collector that can be used for a home, workshop, shed, etc.

On Sat., Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., for those interested in food independence a class will concentrate on preserving food for use throughout the non-gardening part of the year: freezing, drying, canning and storing. Actual preservation techniques will be taught and tried.

All three classes will be held at 1230 E. Honey Creek Rd., Oregon.

Donations to IREA (a non-profit organization) for these three classes are $40 per class for IREA members and $60 for non members, which includes membership. Advanced registration is essential.

A four day Advanced Solar Electric class will be held at the energy efficient Kickapoo Nature Center, 1919 N. Limekiln Rd. Oregon, on Sept. 13 - 16 from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The class will help participants continue their pv systems training with advanced design and detailed installation procedures and will prepares them for entry level jobs in the renewable energy industry. Hands-on experiences wiring a complete pv system. Course fee is $400.

Rock Island, Illinois: Learn how to install solar panels to make a golf cart both fuel and grid independent in this hands-on class. Skills are transferable. Work with panels, wiring, controller, combiner box, aluminum angle and bolts to mount the panels on the canopy. Limited to seven. Cost: $175. Location: Rock Island KOA Campground, 2311 78th Ave West, Rock Island. Sat., Oct. 9 from 10 - 3.

Rockford and Oglesby: Classes will also be offered by Rock Valley College, Rockford, and Illinois Valley College, Oglesby. Register online or phone (815) 921-3900 for Rock Valley or (815) 224-0490 for Illinois Valley.

Rock Valley classes include Small Wind Generators for Homeowners (Tues., Sept. 14 from 6: 00 - 8:30 p.m.),Basics of Solar Electricity (Tues., Sept. 21 from 6: 00 - 8:30 p.m.), Solar Hot Water Systems (Tues., Oct. 5 from 6: 00 - 8:30 p.m.), and Efficient Solar Homes (Tues., Oct. 12 from 6: 00 - 8:30 p.m.).

Illinois Valley classes include Small Wind Generators for Homeowners (Sat., Sept. 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00),Basics of Solar Electricity (Sat., Sept. 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00), Solar Hot Water Systems (Sat., Sept. 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00),and Efficient Solar Homes (Sat., Sept. 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00).

For more information, visit www.illinoisrenew.org