A presentation on electric vehicles and off-grid power technology will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, at the Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library, 1757 Ashland St.
In this fascinating presentation, Jerry Paschen will discuss the evolution of photovoltaic roof solar off-grid installations, including getting permits, inverters, charge controllers, and battery back-up systems.
He will share information about wind farms, from permits to inspections, output in MWh, construction, life cycle and employment. As an inventor of an early electric car, Jerry will talk about charging systems and batteries, CO2 emissions efficiency, as well as the electric trolley, bus, and trains. The National Electric Code and “copper demand” will also be explored.
Energy conservation, a subject dear to Jerry’s heart, will also be explored; including electric bicycles, the U.K. conservation lifestyle, LED lightbulbs, and the 32-hour work week.
Born in Berlin in 1938 and immigrating to Canada when he was 19, Jerry Paschen has been fascinated with electrical energy since he was a teenager and earned his Master Electrician (MA) certificate in 1966.
Active in public service while in Canada, he served on the Board of the Archeo-Logicas Society for 16 years, and on the Provincial Government Environmental Board’s “Environmental Council” for 20 years, proposing resolutions to the Minister of Environment. Jerry ran at least 16 times for civic, provincial and federal elections for the Green Party, and in 1982 was almost elected into the Cabinet.
In 1982, Jerry and his wife bought a city lot in Ashland, built a house and returned every winter thereafter as snowbirds, eventually settling here and calling Ashland home. In 2003 he raised $1.5 million among 60 share-holders and erected an industrial wind turbine. He installed numerous photovoltaic installations in the area, including at the Ashland Airport and on Native reservations, both on- and off-grid. In 1970, with one of his workmen, Jerry built his own electric car. At present, he has six anemometers in the Rogue Valley registering wind speeds.
