There are many options available for learning the HOMER software

You downloaded HOMER and successfully installed it. Now what? One of the challenges of feature-rich software is that you will invest some amount of time in learning it. Your time is valuable. This newsletter edition is devoted to helping you get the most out of HOMER - whether through the help included with the software, online resources, our new online trainings, in-person trainings, and more.

So read on to learn about all options available to you, or go immediately to the section of most interest: online course with a live instructor, self-paced learning and other free resources, and how to get advanced or customized trainings. And don't miss out on this month's HOMER tip, plus a chance to meet, and train with, our CEO Peter Lilienthal at the upcoming Wind-Diesel Workshop in Girdwood, Alaska next month.

These "Introduction to HOMER" online courses offered in March 2011 are perfect for the beginner HOMER user. You will be taken through a worked example from beginning to end. We will use HOMER 2 (v2.81) as a basis for the training, but HOMER Legacy (v2.68) users should be able to follow along and complete the exercises as well. This is not a recording. A live instructor will be there with you the entire way, and will address your specific needs. Each session has a maximum of 22 participants, so you'll get personalized attention.

Because this is our first online training, we are offering it at a special price available only to our newsletter subscribers. This 3-hour training, a $300 value, will be offered for only $99 only to the first 22 people who sign up for each of two sessions. This is a very limited offer, and based on the interest expressed in training, we expect it to sell out quickly.

Visit our course catalog now to get all the details and reserve your seat!

Located under the Help Menu, the Getting Started Guide is a 1-hour, self-paced tour of how HOMER operates and what you need to know to use it effectively.

We recommend all new users go through the Getting Started Guide in order to understand how HOMER operates, before trying to apply it to your own system or situation.

Other free resources are a searchable Knowledgebase of over 400 questions (and answers!) that users have asked. If you can't find your question there, create a support ticket at http://support.homerenergy.com, and our engineers will reply within 1-2 business days.

Should you find that you need more support than is available through the existing Online Courses and free resources, there are many options available to you:

• If you are using HOMER for within your company and organization, and you need to train 5-50 people at one time, you may be a candidate for an onsite custom training. Onsite training can be anywhere from 1-4 days, depending on your situation. Email sales@homerenergy.com to discuss your needs.
• We are in the process of developing Advanced Online Training Courses. If you have a specific need or request regarding training, please let us know and we will consider your request as a priority.
• We can also develop custom online training at an hourly rate. Please email info@homerenergy.com to request a quote.
• Our consulting services are 100% customized to your needs. In addition to assisting HOMER users with their HOMER data and analysis, we provide a range of broader services related to distributed and renewable energy including strategic planning, market analysis, and economic and technical analysis of individual projects. Call us at 1-720-565-4046, or email info@homenergy.com to get started.

HOMER Energy CEO Peter Lilienthal is being recognized by the International Wind-Diesel Workshop with a third invitation to speak at its annual workshop. The March 8-11, 2011, event—featuring 25 speakers—will be held in Girdwood, Alaska.

"As developers integrate more renewables into larger, conventional grids, Alaska’s experience with high-penetration renewables is becoming invaluable everywhere," said Peter Lilienthal, founder and CEO of HOMER Energy.

The host organization speaks to the timeliness of this subject in the event description, "In part due to... the realization by many that oil prices are more likely to increase than decrease in the future, the interest in diesel alternatives in general and wind-diesel technologies in particular continues to grow."

"Peter's expertise is unique because of intimate knowledge of hybrid-system functionality and his longstanding history with HOMER software." said event organizer Katherine Keith. "Peter is an engaging speaker. Attendees will learn what the future holds for the HOMER software and how to use its advanced features."

The event is offering two training sessions for the HOMER software, one conducted by Peter himself.

Users are often surprised that the least cost system that HOMER finds can produce a lot of excess energy. Eliminating excess energy can require trading more batteries for less renewable capacity. The best solution for that trade-off is not always intuitive, which is why it is useful to have HOMER perform its economic optimization. It is worth noting that excess energy is very common when the generator is operating at its minimum load. This is why HOMER does not allocate excess energy as coming from any particular source. Excess energy can also be used to meet a thermal load by checking this box in the System Control window:

--by Peter Lilienthal

Do you have a tip for HOMER users? If so, please share it with us in the HOMER users community here