Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative

Membership Update

August 21, 2008

Upcoming PAREI Events

This Weekend…………..PAREI Volunteers Still Needed to work the PAREI Exhibit Table at WHITE MOUNTAIN FORESTJAM August 24 and 25th 2008

Sustainable Productions is proud to present Forestjam 2008, a three day music festival campout celebrating music and nature in Campton, NH. Our mission is to bring you the best regional jam, rock and acoustic roots music in a mountain paradise while raising money to protect NH forests and raising awareness of sustainable living. See for more info: http://forestjam.com/

PAREI will have a table at this event exhibiting a mini solar water heating collector. Volunteers needed to work the table and tell visitors about solar water heating and PAREI’s Energy Raisers and Local Foods Plymouth (give out membership forms etc.). Can you volunteer for two hours or more? Each volunteer gets a free ticket to the event for that day. To arrange for a ticket and volunteer time, Leave a message for Sandra at 536-5030 – ext #. She will be checking messages and returning phonecall up to late Saturday afternoon.

Solar Energy Raiser** Events

Sunday August 24^th – Home of Kurt Campbell 2676 Dick Brown Road Bridgewater, NH (1.4 miles up Bridgewater Road off River Road just south of Plymouth. Bear Right at the Bridgewater Road and Dick Brown Road Y) We are all set for volunteers for Sunday’s Energy Raiser. Thank you to those volunteers who have RSVP’d. For last minute directions or details: please call Kurt at: 968-7686. We’ve have completed two work sessions on this project so far and have completed the ground mount stand and the trenching from the collector to under the house. Sunday we will work on erecting the three used flat panels, complete the plumbing off the collectors and the plumbing from the pipes coming out of the trench to the solar water storage tank. We will also be installing the Sunearth Controller.

August 24^th Volunteers please note: The area around the house is muddy due to trenching and we will be working on a steep hillside. This home is currently being converted from a seasonal log cabin to a year-round home. Watch for yellow sign. Park on the downhill side of the road. Feel free to bring breakfast goodies to share. Lunch and drinks will be provided. Volunteer meeting and work assignments will take place at 9:00am. See end of this Update for what to bring.

Sunday, October 5^th: Ted and Kim Stiles, Buffalo Road, Rumney, NH. Apricus 30 Evacuated Tube Collector, Roof Mount. Still designing the water storage plans.

Saturday, October 18^th: Jeff Fleischman. Sandwich, NH Apricus 20 Evacuated Tube Solar Collector, Wall Mount on Barn then trenching to house basement. Two tank system.

Saturday, November 8^th: Don and Wilma Hyde: Plymouth, NH. Apricus 30 Evacuated Tube on Mid Angle Frame – using existing tank off the boiler as a pre heat tank into a new Marathon Electric tank. One story roof mount.

Habitat for Humanity Home: Fundraising has been completed for this project. We still need to coordinate with the family to set a date for the installation that will take place on a weekday most likely this Fall.

Energy Raiser Volunteers are asked to sign up for morning, afternoon or all day. Please RSVP, if you’d like to volunteer at any of the October or November sessions. Volunteers from communities outside the Plymouth area are welcome to attend an Energy Raiser to learn more about how to start your own Energy Raiser Crew in your community.

To Volunteer for Energy Raisers in Sandwich, Moultonboro or Tamworth Please RSVP directly to the STAMREI Coordinator; Carl McNall mcnall@cyberpine.net

To Volunteer for Energy Raisers in the Plymouth Area RSVP directly to Sandra Jones; Sandra@plymouthenergy.org or just reply to this e-mail.

Save the Date: PAREI’s Next Energy Exchange will take place Friday, October 17^th at 6:00pm. Location TBA. We have pushed this meeting back a few weeks with the hope that between now and then we can get an Energy Exchange Committee set up to organize PAREI’s Energy Exchanges. If you would like to sit on a committee that will meet regularly from August – April with the sole goal of organizing the location, theme, agenda and break out sessions for each of PAREI’s Energy Exchange Meetings (six Membership Meetings that take place Sept - May) please e-mail Madeline at Madeline@plymouthenergy.org

PAREI News

The latest order of Apricus Solar Collectors has arrived (8/19/08). Twenty more collectors are on their way to a roof top near you! Saving 200 gallons of oil each year. This shipment of collectors came to $49.00 per collector. Please make arrangements with PAREI volunteer John Allen at 359-0630 or john1allen@gmail.com to pick up your collector. Shipping will be billed to you soon or it can be added to your bill when you purchase any other parts for your installation. We are also happy to store your collector until you are ready to install thanks to the generous storage space donated to members. Please note: families getting their Apricus installed by PAREI’s subcontractors will be delivered at the time of installation.

PAREI Office will be closed for an end of the Summer break Monday, September 1^st through Friday September 12^th. Please e-mail Peter Adams at peter@plymouthenergy.org with questions during this time. Local Foods Plymouth will still be operating in full capacity during this time.

Laconia/Tilton Energy Raiser Crew Starting Up: Several PAREI members from the Laconia/Tilton area are interested in putting together an energy raiser crew. Scott Firth from Laconia is willing to head things up and see where it all may lead. A first time energy raiser crew should consist of several homeowners wanting to install a solar water heating system on their own homes so all can learn together about the intricacies that are involved in designing a system. The crew should be committed to wanting to help others install and/or have people help install a system at their house. A good goal would be four energy raisers a year. The crew should include people that are handy, perhaps those that are certified tradespeople or people that have built their own homes. PAREI will assist this group best we can with getting up and running. If your interested in taking part please e-mail Scott directly at: firsec@metrocast.net

PAREI’s PV Installation Crew Installed their first (as a crew) 2.1 KW Solar Photovoltaic System in Wentworth, NH on August 14th. Due to the demand coming from PAREI members seeking assistance with a solar PV installation, PAREI has put together a solar photovoltaic installation team with Dan King from Sunset Mtn Solar who provides on-site consultation, system design and equipment purchasing, Larry Mauchly and Bert Sutcliffe providing the certified electrician services and Tim Gotwols installing the mounting equipment. Homeowner and longtime PAREI member, Kathleen Norris recently sent us an e-mail concerning the performance of the solar panels…she said “Just wanted to let you know that I noticed 2012 watts incoming for a moment this morning (up from the last high I noticed at 2008) and even in the rain there were 156 so all is going well. Most of the times I checked during the day today the meter was spinning backwards, even when only bringing in 325 watts. Thanks again for all of your good work!”

Attached to this e-mail is a photo of the installation as well as a sample estimate for jobs similar to one of this size. PAREI members can request a site visit as part of your membership, at which time PAREI will assess your feasibility for solar PV. From that point, if members are still interested, a system design site visit will be set up with PAREI PV crew. The crew is currently scheduling site visits for late September for possible October and early November installations. Please reply directly to Peter Adams peter@plymouthenergy.org if specifically interested in an initial solar site visit to explore solar electric (PV). PAREI would like to note here that it’s our goal as an organization to facilitate the installation of renewable energy systems as part of our mission to help our members Reduce and Produce. We urge our members to use all available installers to meet their goals. Visit www.solarworksinc.com to explore another avenue for solar electric installations.

On going services from PAREI………..

PAREI Energy Advisors are available anytime to meet one on one with fellow members to give tours of their Apricus solar water heating systems (as well as wood boilers, geo-thermal, solar photovoltaic systems, energy efficient home building materials/techniques, solar air circulators, and more). Just send an e-mail with the info you are seeking to Sandra@plymouthenergy.org and we’ll connect you with the appropriate person.

Apricus Solar Water Heating Collectors Next Bulk Order: Deadline September 25 for shipment on September 29th.  E-mail Sandra@plymouthenergy.org for a current price list that includes a PAREI Membership Discount. Collectors must be paid in full by September 25th. Shipping cost will be divided by the number of families who participate in the order – roughly $50 – 65 each collector. Notice went out stating collectors will go up by 8 - 10% on September 1^st but our distributor is giving PAREI the pre-September price through the end of September. PAREI can help you install a solar water heating collector via our volunteer energy raiser process, do it yourself support/partnering or coordinate a professional installation with our sub-contractors. PAREI also keeps in stock items for your solar water heating installation such as the Sunearth Controller, Dow Frost Glycol, Pressure Relief Valves, Temp and Pressure Gauges, Roof Top Air Bleeds. If you are new to solar water heating, we urge you to attend the Solar Water Heating Break Out Session that will take place as part of our October Energy Exchange.

News on Solar Rebates and NHEC RE Contract

The following info on the NH State Solar PV Rebate program was just released from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

Information regarding HB 1628 (Chap. 368, 2008 Session Laws) House Bill 1628, which was recently passed by the New Hampshire Legislature, authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to make a one-time incentive payment from the renewable energy fund to residential owners of certain small renewable generation facilities that begin operation on or after July 1, 2008 and are located at the owner’s residence.

Over the next few months, the Commission will establish an application process that includes criteria for qualifying for an incentive payment. The application process will include verification of costs for parts and labor, certification that the equipment used meets the applicable safety standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or similar safety rating agency, and that the facility meets local zoning regulations, and receives any required inspections.

Please note that renewable energy funds for these incentive payments will not be available until July 2009. Therefore, no request for funds should be filed at this time.

Information on the status of the application process will be posted on the Commission’s website. The Commission will provide notice once an application process has been proposed, and that notice will be posted on our website along with other appropriate notices regarding this program. Please visit the Commission’s website from time to time if you are interested in the status of the application process.

The full text of HB 1628 can be found at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2008/HB1628.html. Any further inquiries should be directed to puc@puc.nh.gov.

NH Electric Coop Announces Three New Contracts for Renewable Energy

At its 69^th Annual Meeting of Members held June 21 at Loon Mountain, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) announced three new contracts to purchase nearly 12 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to be generated at wind farms and biomass plants across New England.

When each project is online and producing electricity, NHEC will be deriving about seven percent of its members' energy requirements from renewable resources. NHEC has endorsed the goal of the 25 x ’25 Coalition, which seeks to derive 25% of America’s power needs from renewables by the year 2025.

Read More at: http://www.nhec.com/news_archive.php?n=52

Local and Regional Events

The Governor's Climate Task Force will hold a listening session in Meredith as part of their four session tour. Each roundtable session will be held from 6:45 to 9:00 p.m. in MEREDITH - August 27^th Meredith Community Center. RSVP: Erica Anderson Representatives of Local Energy Committees are especially encouraged to attend.

NH Sustainable Energy Association is the NH coordinator for the national Green Buildings Open House Saturday, October 4^th 10 am - 4 pm PAREI Members are Encouraged to List their House on the Tour – See below for Info. The below info is taken from www.nhsea.org

· GBOH is a fantastic opportunity to view green living in real time. Thinking about going solar, or installing a home wind turbine? How about geothermal heating and cooling? Get great tips on energy saving insulation techniques from the homeowners who are benefiting from the energy savings! We hope you'll join us.

· Visitors should check the interactive map (available in mid-August at www.nhsear.org ) and  pick 2-6 homes to visit over the course of the day. All you need to do is show up and the homeowner-host will give you a tour of the building's energy efficient and clean energy technologies. It's a great way to learn up-close and hands-on about solar pv, solar thermal, geothermal, wind energy, super insulation, and innovative, energy-efficient home design. And it's FREE! 

· Check back soon for a fully searchable database of host sites, and statewide maps to help you plan your day. We will also be setting up a ride-share forum for you to meet like-minded neighbors and save gas at the same time. 

· If you have any questions, or would like to list your own home, please contact Joanna Magoon. To register your home or business to be on the tour …fill out the form here: http://www.nesea.org/buildings/openhouse/index.html

Small Wind Energy Symposiums will be held here in Holderness on Saturdays 9/13 & 20 and 10/4 &18. There will be a morning and afternoon session. The presentation will include information on installing a residential wind generator. These sessions are free of charge but registration is required by calling: Dave Horton, DNL Energy,  LLC, Holderness, NH  03245, 603 536-2461

hortond@dnlenergy.com www.dnlenergy.com

Going Green Expo, sponsored by Heart of NH Magazine at the Center of New Hampshire in Manchester

Saturday and Sunday, October 27-28

The 2nd Annual Going Green Expo will take place in Manchester, NH on November 1st and 2nd at the Radisson Hotel, Center of NH in Manchester. NHSEA is proud to be a co-sponsor and presenter at this event. Check back for more details or go to the event website.

Saturday, December 6
NHSEA Home Energy Conference

Back by popular demand, the 2nd Annual NHSEA Home Energy Conference will be held this year on Saturday December 6, 2008 at UNH in Durham, NH. Ninety-minute workshops will provide an in-depth look on issues such as solar pv, geothermal, biodiesel, high-efficiency wood boilers, statewide policy updates and much much more. Geared to homeowners and energy committee members throughout the state, this conference promises to be highly popular. Register early online starting September 1st. Check back here for more information or contact Mary Downes, conference organizer about sponsorship, exhibiting, or advertising.

Member Sharing

Attention Members – Please Share: Please send questions, comments, information, lessons learned to be shared here with members. During this time of rising oil prices and increasing environmental and economic problems, PAREI members need to join together to help each other make the shift to a lower energy world.

Tim Brown: I have a 40' container load of high efficiency gasification wood boilers coming from Finland - arriving around September 12th. They come with 475 gallon water tanks for heat storage, equipped with 2 copper coils for domestic hot water. The boilers take 20" firewood and produce 136,000 BTU's. I will be selling these complete for $10,000 each. The manufacturer is Kaukora Oy - website is www.kaukora.fi The model is the ECONATURE. There are 12 in the container, and 3 are spoken for. If I get commitments for the remaining 9, I will get another container coming. My business is Windy Ridge Corporation on Route 25 in Tamworth. We have been selling radiant floor heating systems and Veha radiators www.veha.com

for many years. We would like to offer PAREI members a $200 discount on our wood boilers. If anyone is interested please call me directly at: 800-639-2021

Plan Now for your Energy Future

As we move from summer to fall, PAREI members are looking for ways to reduce their home heating bill. One only needs to search on the Internet for a few minutes and you can find a great list of things to do in your home to reduce your use of oil. Here’s a few we found:

Eleven Things You Can Do to Save Energy at Home

http://cfc.whtm.com/affinity/affarticle.cfm?id=57

Ten Things Consumers Can Do Now to Save Hundreds on Energy Costs

http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/25015/

Ten Things you Can Do To Curb Global Warming

http://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/tenthings/

NH Electric Coop is offering 75 Free home energy audits as part of their social and environmental responsibility program. To apply, you must be an NHEC member and use fossil fuels as your primary heat source. The energy audit is more involved than the one offered by PAREI. NHEC’s home energy audit, a $350 value, includes blower door testing, building shell assessment, lighting and appliance evaluation and a comprehensive report outlining recommended improvements and potential energy savings. The deadline to apply for an audit is August 31, 2008. NHEC will evaluate your application and contact you if your home meets program criteria. To apply download the application: http://www.smallsteps.coop/coop_programs/free_energy_audit.php

PAREI now has a solar system check up. If you would like more information on having someone stop by and check your solar water heating system ie: the pressure, glycol quality/ph, expansion tank, evacuated tubes etc. please e-mail Sandra@plymouthenergy.org and we will connect you with the PAREI member that is providing this service for a fee.

PAREI Membership

Thank you to all who have joined or renewed their membership with us over the last two months. We look forward to helping you meet your energy conservation and energy efficiency goals. We are doing our best to keep up with site visit requests. If you haven’t heard from us and you are eager to have us visit your home for an introductory level energy audit or solar site visit, feel free to express your eagerness by leaving a message with Sandra Jones (solar site visits) or Madeline McElaney (energy audits) at 536-5030.

Not a member yet? Please consider joining. Download our membership form at: http://www.plymouthenergy.org/member2.pdf Or e-mail Madeline at Madeline@plymouthenergy.org for a membership form by mail.

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** PAREI’s Community Energy Raisers are modeled after a “barn-raising” following the tradition of neighbor helping neighbor. The goals of the Energy Raisers are: to bring down the cost of installing renewable energy systems, to educate the homeowners hands on about how their system works, to develop a support network of knowledgeable families; to provide local tradespeople an avenue to learn about installing renewable energy systems and to build community connections while we all prepare for life in a lower energy world. Energy Raiser hosts have volunteered at previous installations and will pay the favor forward at future Raisers. The teams for the day are Rack Installers (wall or roof), Wiring/Controller Install, Basement Plumbing, Chase Plumbing, Pipe Insulating, Tube Assembly Line, Observers/Extra Hands. Tradespeople and Handypersons with tools are encouraged to bring tools such as cordless drills. Others should bring when feasible a tool belt with work gloves, black sharpie, tape measurer, rag and utility knife. Thus far PAREI members have conducted 25 volunteer Energy Raisers; 1 solar air circulator, 21 solar hot water, three solar photovoltaic and one wind generator.

Regular Energy Raiser Schedule:

Meet 8:30am – 9:00am – Volunteers, if convenient should bring breakfast goodies to share. Homeowner supplies the coffee; PAREI brings cold drinks

9:00am – Energy Raiser Meeting – Discuss work teams and plan for the day.

Noon – Solar Water Information Session/Tour for Newcomers and Passersby (there will not be an info session at the 8/24 Energy Raiser)

12:30pm – Lunch for crew provided by the homeowner

2:30pm – 4:00pm Evacuated Tube Assembly Line, Last Tube Celebration, Wrap Up and Clean Up

The Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative was organized to encourage energy conservation, energy efficiency practices and promote the use of renewable energy in homes, businesses and other buildings in the Plymouth region through education, community outreach, accessibility and service coordination. The office is located at 69 Main Street above Rands in Plymouth, NH. To make an office appointment or for more information call: 603-536-5030 or visit www.plymouthenergy.org Membership Forms are available on line. To be removed from this e-mail list just reply with "Remove" in the subject line.