Newswise — Jeff Tiller, a professor in Appalachian State University's Department of Technology, can address how to make home and commercial construction more energy efficient, as well as how to design affordable passive solar systems. Tiller has received grants from the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program to provide technical assistance to builders in North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky for converting homes to follow high performance guidelines. A N.C. State Energy Office grant has focused on improving the efficiency of new, manufactured homes. He has worked with a major home builder in Charlotte to develop a model for high-performance construction techniques in production-built homes. He also helped the N.C. Department of Administration's State Energy Office, legislative leaders and state agencies create a new energy policy for the state of North Carolina.

Dennis Scanlin, a professor in Appalachian State University's Department of Technology, is available to talk about residential and commercial systems for solar and wind energy, micro-hydro power and changes in alternative energy technology.

Scanlin received the Small Wind Advocate of the Year Award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America program in 2008. He has been a leader in small-scale wind energy activities in Western North Carolina. He directs the small wind activities as part of Appalachian's Energy Center, including the ongoing North Carolina Small Wind Initiative, a collaborative project supported by Appalachian and the N.C. State Energy Office, Tennessee Valley Authority and U.S. Department of Energy to raise awareness about the benefits and feasibility of wind power in the southern Appalachian region.