spontaneous cooperation without ecological offense or disadvantage to anyone...", has been a motivational factor for many projects in the past 40 or more years.

The trimtab principle - small amounts of energy and resources, applied to create the maximum advantageous change - is closely related to our focus in the on-going project. The Maine Solar Energy Association, Skyheat Associates and Solar Energy Awareness and Demonstration Seminars-(S.E.A.D.S.) of Truth, Inc., through do-yourself-solar seminar programs, (d-y-s), have been helping people realize self-reliant lifestyles, in many areas of the world. "Working towards self-sufficiency, small steps to world peace!", has been one of our slogans, inviting families and communities, to take the first step away from the petro-chemical addiction, that we all are suffering.

So many folks are frustrated thinking that we can't do more or anything to help the world situation. Even using solar energy for heat and electricity, offsetting fossil fuel expenses and pollution, seems too far from our grasp. "In our state, we have to have 1000W of photovoltaic (PV) modules min., and hook up to the grid to get the rebate, we can't afford that!"; "We would have to re-wire the whole house and get the plumber to re-do the plumbing! we can't afford it!"; "We are poor peasants in the third world, we can't use solar power, it's beyond our grasp!" How frustrating is our situation? What can we do?

I have been working with the d-y-s approach for over twenty-five years, facilitating the learning process for many hundreds of participants. I am currently working with dis-advantaged population, in Harlem, NY, developing a business to train and employ locals manufacturing solar PV modules. I am a founding member of SEADS of Truth, Inc., a not-for-profit educational corporation. I have a bfa degree in fine-arts and have studied art therapy and education in a masters program. I worked with the City University of New York, Bronx Community College, to develop a basic- solar program for the Adult Continuing Education Office. Two of my associates involved in the d-y-s program are -Dr. Richard Komp and Charles Ewing, both are directors of MeSEA and SEADS of Truth, Inc.,both have over thirty years of hands-on solar experience. Our efforts are allowing many to utilize safe, non-polluting, solar energy. "We don't need the rebates to use the power of the sun!" The d-y-s method, simple and easy to accomplish, allows anyone to achieve a degree of self-sufficiency in their life-style, without breaking the bank. In fact, working one step at a time, families can gradually become more and more independent of the polluting, exploiting and expensive, fossil fuel spiral that has the world teetering on the edge of disaster. Those working with this program around the world, (in the U.S., Nicaragua, Haiti, Peru, Mali, India, etc.), have watched the jubilant faces of those who can experience the great feeling of self-reliance!

A network of experienced "facilitators", exists now, and can be increased in size and scope, to further this work. People making their own energy, heat, hot-water, electricity - all from the sun! The basic component parts are available cheap enough for poor communities to pool their resources and take the first step! One panel to heat water, one module to charge a battery or pump water to the garden or a shade/green house to allow local food production and growing season extension. As they can, more steps are added, and self-sufficiency is approached. A funding base would allow many communities that cannot as yet, take the first step, and start a local solar-learning program.

We are making 30W & 60W PV modules in Harlem, NY, with inexperienced workers; 3rd and 4th graders in rural Maine are making small PV battery chargers that can be placed in their windows to recharge the batteries we so often throw away; local compasinos in Nicaragua, many are land-mine victims, delivering locally produced solar PV modules, on bicycles, to remote village clinics and homes, for battery systems to light the night, or pump water from river to garden; orphans in Mali, western Africa, have started their own business, manufacturing PV modules locally! The technology is here, made available a step at a time, for us in the U.S., handicapped and not able to achieve or not able to afford the required resources needed for the "rebates and tax credits", offered by the utilities and state energy offices. Many folks, motivated by the past oil-crisis of the 70's, established "off-grid" communities and homes, that now function as self-reliant, solar powered learning centers. Additional funding would allow these facilities to expand their activities, inviting more families to learn and share the experience of living a more self-reliant life.

Each time there is a solar workshop producing another solar apparatus to help someone live more self-reliant, another person or group in the area becomes motivated and empowered to "take the first step!" This design science solution, an over-all plan to help those with the least, will grow, slowly, or faster, with additional funding, to allow the maximum amount of beneficial out-come. If trainers could double and re-double, workshops, (spreading "one step at a time" self-sufficiency), could grow into the wave that changes the way we live! We can do it. We are doing it!

The BFI challenge prize money would allow a great step forward in the effort to create answers to this human dilemma and help make the world work for 100% of humanity!
Thank you - John C. Burke