Gauntlet Award
In 2005 PAREI won the Gauntlet Award from the Department of Energy. We know that 2005 was a long time ago, and you might think that we are trying to make something, in 2010, out of nothing. We wanted to include this informaiton on our current website because it shows two very interesting facts. One is that in 2005 there was very little support for solar energy as you will read in the release below from the DOE. And, second, it shows how far we have come.
Today we have over 300 families and organizations working with us to make a more sustainable Plymouth Area. Back then we had less than 60. Today there are a number of organizations offering incentives and breaking down barriers. Back in 2005 there were very few. So what follows is the press release that was sent out by the DOE upon the awarding of the 2005 Gauntlet Award. Enjoy
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Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative wins Department of Energy’s 2005 Gauntlet Award
October 8, 2005
Washington, D.C.
For Immediate Release
Despite the absence of incentives in New Hampshire PAREI represents the best of what MSR Partnerships are all about. Under the leadership of Sandra Jones and Peter Adams, PAREI was formed to raise awareness about the peaking of world oil. Their motto is “Plan now for your energy future as you would your financial future.” Given the acute lack of state support for solar energy, the 2005 MSR Gauntlet Award was awarded to the highly motivated, never deterred Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative. (PAREI)
The partnership was honored at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s (IREC) (www.irecusa.org) 23rd Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. during the solar Power 2005 Conference. This was the fourth year the IREC’s annual meeting was held jointly with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Million Solar Roofs (MSR) Partnerships. More than 100 people were at the annual meeting.
The MSR Gauntlet Award is presented annually to the MSR partnership that has demonstrated success, despite many barriers, obstacles, and setbacks, and has worked in an area with few or no incentives, political support or resources.
“PAREI approached the existing MSR Partnership in the state of New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) with a proposal to demonstrate that a local group like PAREI could promote solar in the Plymouth Area,” said Richard Michaud, MSR coordinator for DOE’s Northeast Region. “With the encouragement of New Hampshire’s OEP, PAREI formed an alliance with the recently created NH Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA). They began a newsletter, website and took part in NH SEIA’s state effort for solar energy. In just one year, PAREI’s membership has topped 60,” said Michaud.
According to Michaud, the sheer number of PAREI’s community activities is remarkable.
PAREI hosts Energy Exchanges, a forum for members to discuss energy topics and help each other solve energy problems. Information Sessions help the public learn about the history of oil production and the different forms of renewable energy as wall as the goals of the Initiative. Energy Assessment and Planning Sessions take place at the home of members. And Energy Raisers, a take off from the old Barn Raising idea, provide the opportunity for members to assist in the installation of solar energy system. PAREI also sponsors workshops and training for the trades.
The Million Solar Roofs Initiative (MSRI) (www.millionsolarroofs.org) is a unique public-private partnership aimed at overcoming barriers to market entry for selected solar technologies. The Initiative works through a national network of officially designed partnerships and their local partners. Each of the 94 national partnerships has committed to facilitate the installation of a specified number of ‘solar roofs’ through it’s individual network of local partners. The initiative helps lower barriers through public-private collaborations, and does not directly give grants or subsidies for solar equipment purchase.
For more information about the PAREI MSR Partnership
(http://www.plymouthenergy.org) contact
Sandra Jones at (Sandra@plymouthenergy.org) 603-536-5030
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In 2005 PAREI won the Gauntlet Award from the Department of Energy. We know that 2005 was a long time ago, and you might think that we are trying to make something, in 2010, out of nothing. We wanted to include this informaiton on our current website because it shows two very interesting facts. One is that in 2005 there was very little support for solar energy as you will read in the release below from the DOE. And, second, it shows how far we have come.
Today we have over 300 families and organizations working with us to make a more sustainable Plymouth Area. Back then we had less than 60. Today there are a number of organizations offering incentives and breaking down barriers. Back in 2005 there were very few. So what follows is the press release that was sent out by the DOE upon the awarding of the 2005 Gauntlet Award. Enjoy