Archive for July, 2009

Heating with Wood: Maine’s Abundant Renewable Energy Source

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Maine & NH have the highest per capita CO2 emissions of the New England states due to an over-reliance on fossil fuels. Continuing to rely on fossil fuels leaves one vulnerable to product supply and rising energy cost.

Learn how to be a part of the energy solution and protect yourself from future inflation by converting to a gasification wood or pellet boiler.

Attend our upcoming seminar Heating with Wood: Maine’s Abundant Renewable Energy Source.

Join us in Liberty:

August 13th, 2009; 6-8pm; 91 W Main St Liberty, ME. Call 589-4171 for more information.

Join us in Portland:

August 20th, 2009; 6-8pm; 142 Presumpscot St Portland, ME. Call 221-6342 for more information.

Presentation to Include:

Role of Biomass for Heat in Maine

Environmental & Peak Oil Issues

Economic Comparison between wood & oil

Cord wood vs Pellets

How to burn wood efficiently, and more. .

The event is free and all are welcome!

New Hampshire Residential PV Rebates Available

Monday, July 20th, 2009
Completed Solar Project in Dedham, New Hampshire
Above is a 6 kilowatt grid-tied photovoltaic system recently installed by ReVision Energy. In addition to the 30% federal tax credit, The NHPUC is offering a $6,000 cash rebate for residential PV systems in NH.

The NH Public Utilities Commission (NHPUC) is currently accepting grid-tied solar electric system rebate applications. Systems are eligible if placed in service on or after July 1, 2008 and before September 30, 2009.

This rebate is for New Hampshire homeowners and is only for solar electric systems that are less than 5 kilowatts in size. Incentives are capped at $3.00 per watt, $6,000 or 50% of the total cost of the system, whichever is less. For more information regarding this rebate please contact ReVision Energy.

Maine State Rebate Program Still Accepting Applications

Thursday, July 16th, 2009
Solar Energy Cumberland, Maine
Above is a 60-tube solar hot water collector array recently installed by
ReVision Energy in Cumberland. Solar hot water systems qualify for
a $1,000 state rebate and 30% federal tax credit, making your solar investment cash flow positive from day one.

Efficiency Maine is still accepting rebate applications for solar hot water and solar electric system installations. The program officially began accepting rebates on June 29, 2009 and will continue to do so until the funds are depleted.

This is a great opportunity for people who are considering a solar hot water or solar electric installation in 2009.

Solar hot water rebates, both commercial and residential, will be awarded in the amount of $1,000, and buildings that are Energy Star or Maine Home Performance rated may be eligible for a $1,500 rebate. For all solar electric systems the rebate is $2,000.

This program won’t last long, so get your application in now!

Sending in a pre-application form holds a rebate reservation if you decided to install a system in 2009. If you would like to receive a rebate application please contact ReVision Energy and we will gladly assist you.

Maine State Housing Installs Solar Hot Water at 53 Danforth St, Portland, Maine

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
ReVision Energy team securing one of the 21 Chromagen solar hot water flat plate collectors

53 Danforth Street, a Maine State Housing complex recently constructed in Portland, is utilizing the sun to preheat the domestic hot water for all of its 47 units.

21 Chromagen solar hot water collectors sit on the roof and heat an 820 gallon thermal storage tank. The preheat system design moves cold water into the thermal storage tank before it enters the existing indirect hot water tanks. The system, backed by natural gas, is designed to produce over 190 million Btu’s of clean, renewable energy each year.

The building’s owner and developer is The Szanton Company of Portland. Wright-Ryan Architects were the general contractors working on the construction of the building. The mechanical contractor, who we worked for on this project, is Southern Maine Plumbing and Heating.

Maine State Housing requires all their developers to at least consider solar thermal as an option for new construction. Maine State Housing Authority has been a leader in the adoption of renewable energy; in 2006 ReVision Energy installed a 10kW grid tied solar electric system on their office building in Augusta.

Maine State Housing Authority finances the installation of solar hot water applications in multifamily housing, such as this one, and is using the anticipated revenue from the sale of carbon emission reductions to subsidize the lower interest rate of the solar loan.

Maine State Housing also offers a residential loan for energy efficient upgrades including the installation of solar hot water or solar electric systems. Their low interest loan program is called the Home Energy Loan Program, or HELP loan. View their website to learn more. www.mainehousing.org

More Photos from Our Gallery:

53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing
53 Danforth - Maine State Housing

July Solar and Sustainability Events

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

There’s so much going on; come join in the summertime fun!

Upcoming Events

July 9thSolar Open House 6:00-7:30 pm 8 Devons Wood Drive in Kittery, Maine. Come join us for our next solar open house event to view this beautifully new constructed home utilizing solar hot water panels to meet the domestic hot water demands of this family. This home has two 20 tube solar hot water evacuated tube collectors on the south facing roof to heat an 80 gallon solar storage tank. The tank is connected to the propane boiler, which serves as the back up to the system. These home owners also installed necessary wiring when building their home so that adding solar electric panels would be easy and accessible when they were ready. Come meet the homeowners to learn the processes they took to building their energy efficient home. We will be meeting at 8 Devon Woods Road in Kittery at 6pm.

From South
95 N to Exit 3, Kittery/Shopping Malls
Left at the first light onto Wilson Rd. (Kittery Trading Post ahead on the corner)
~1 mile, you’ll go up a hill, barn and field on left, Devon Woods Dr. is on right (no street sign, just NEW HOMES sign)
Third house on the right, #8 (red and grey)
Parking available around the Cul de Sac.

From North
95 S to Exit 7
Left at Spur Rd, right at US Rt 1 toward Kittery
Right at Wilson Road
~1 mile, you’ll go up a hill, barn and field on left, Devon Woods Dr. is on right (no street sign, just NEW HOMES sign)
third house on the right, #8 (red and grey)
Parking available around the Cul de Sac.


July 25thIntro to Active Solar 9:30am at the Shelter Institute, Woolwich.

Shelter InstituteA ReVision Energy representative will be presenting viable renewable energy options including: solar electricity, solar hot water, and wood fired boilers at the Shelter Institute on Rt 1 in Woolwich on Saturday, July 25th. We will be discussing renewable energy applications for your home, discuss the costs of these systems, your return on investment, and show you completed project photos of some of the hundreds of Maine residents who have already made the switch to one of these sustainable energy options. This is a FREE one hour workshop with a question and answer session at the end but you must register in advance as space is limited. Email info@shelterinstitute.com or call 207-442-7938 to reserve your spot today.


Maine Boats, Homes & HarborsAugust 7 – 9thMaine Boats, Homes & Harbors in Rockland.

If you love the coast of Maine, you won’t want to miss this show, where Tradition Meets Innovation. Come see Maine’s finest artists, architects, boatbuilders, furniture makers, craftsmen, designers, marine gear vendors, and musicians. There’ll be a model yacht pond, live music, an area for children, exhibits, fine food, the running of the 7th Annual World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials, some wacky zucchini boat racing, and more! As the only in-water boat show in the state, with more than 70 boats in the water and 150 exhibitors on land, there is something for every member of the family. ReVision Energy will be there as part of the new sustainability tent.

Friday & Saturday: 10-6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10-4:00 p.m.


August 15 – 16thSaint George Energy Independence Days
Saturday the 15th there will be a self guided Sustainable House and Garden Tour run between 1-4pm. Itineraries can be picked up at the St. George town office after 12 noon, on that day. Eight stops within St. George include private and commercial organic gardens, and a range of houses with renewable energy installations.

Sunday the 16th, also between 1-4pm an Energy Fair will occupy the Town Hall parking lot rain or shine. There will be on going seminars as well as exhibition information to include: solar energy, insulating techniques, energy audits and alternatively powered vehicles.