ReVision’s Geoff Sparrow was invited to teach a lesson on solar systems to a third grade class at Mast Landing School in Freeport.

To help illustrate how well solar works – even in winter! – we set up a single evacuated solar hot water tube outside with a temperature gauge attached to it.

We were able to show the kids the heat generated with the tube in the sunshine… 100+ degrees of heating in less than 20 minutes!

We also did an in class activity (see photo, right) that taught the differences between energy saving actions and energy wasting actions.

We always love the opportunity to get into classrooms to talk about renewable energy – kids intuitively “get it” and are eager to take an active role in preserving the planet that will be inherited by them.

If you’re interested in having someone at ReVision speak at your school or nonprofit, just contact us – we’d love to do it.

Join us on at 6PM on Thursday, February 18 for Portsmouth’s Green Drinks, held at Two Ceres Street, Portsmouth’s eco-friendly martini bar.

ReVision will be presenting with the Seacoast Renewable Energy Initiative (SEAREI) on solar power – how the technology works, costs, and practicality for businesses and the homeowner. There will also be plenty of time for networking and asking your questions about solar!

The event is free and open to the public and there will be an expanded dinner menu with a number of special GreenDrinks eats and discounted drink offerings every week. Members of the Green Alliance can enjoy two for one eats!

Green Drinks Greater Portsmouth is part of an international movement where environmental-oriented businesspeople get together for informal networking events each month – you can learn more about the Green Drinks movement or find an event in your area. Green Drinks are also held each month in Portland, Maine.

Last night, ReVision Energy hosted a networking event for E2Tech, the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine, at our solar energy showroom at 142 Presumpscot St, Portland.

The event was the first of its kind for E2Tech and brought together renewable energy advocates in Maine including David Ertz from First Wind, Steve Linnell from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, and Merrill Barter with Baker, Newman and Noyes.

E2Tech members in attendance included Jeff Thaler, the co-chair of E2Tech, Andy Meyer, chair of E2Tech’s membership and development committee, Becky Metivier, E2Tech’s marketing committee chair, and Phil Coupe, who is on the marketing committee of E2Tech and is a co-founder of ReVision Energy.

Also in attendance from ReVision Energy were Jen Hatch, John Capron, Geoff Sparrow, Fortunat Mueller and Fred Greenhalgh.

More photos are available on ReVision’s Facebook page.

Due to wintry weather, ReVision Energy will be postponing our Solar Sustainability Crash Course originally scheduled for this Saturday, January 23, at our Portland office.

Stay tuned for when we’ll announce the new date – likely in March – for this hour-long presentation on the most important questions for understanding solar.

Thanks for your understanding!

November 7 – Go Green Expo in Topsham 10am – 4pm:
The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber is hosting their third annual Go Green Expo event at Mount Ararat High School Gymnasium on Rt 201 in Topsham. There will be a number of vendors available promoting their energy efficient products. ReVision Energy will be there and will also be presenting on the fundamentals of solar hot water and solar electric systems. This event will be free and open to the public. For more information visit the events section on the Chamber’s website.

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November 20 – Forum and E2Tech Annual Meeting 7:30am – 9:10am
John Brautigam, Maine PUC Energy Programs Director, and Tim Vrabel, Deputy Director, will provide details on the $37 million coming to Maine to be distributed among industrial, municipal, commercial and residential sectors from within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In addition Efficiency Maine is in communications with the Department of Energy regarding another opportunity that could represent approximately $60 million for Maine. This event will be held at the Maine Audubon in Falmouth. For more information visist E2Tech online.

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November 21 – Home Energy Conference, Hartman Union Building, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH 8:30am-4:30pm.
The New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association’s fall conference will focus on ways to make efficiency and clean energy a commonplace practice at the home, and a good policy in the town. Representatives from ReVision Energy will display renewable solar technologies for home and business, and be available to answer questions about renewable applications and economics.

The 2009 Green Buildings Open House was a big success! 20 homes between ReVision Energy’s two offices were excited to show off their installations to help educate others about renewable energy.

The Falmouth home pictured here was featured on the southern Maine tour and features Energy Star rated appliances, recycled and non toxic building products and densely packed cellulose insulation.

Evacuated tube solar hot water collectors provide virtually 100% of domestic hot water year round and supplemental radiant space heating in the shoulder seasons. Because the home is so well-insulated, it only has a low mass electric on-demand boiler to backup the domestic hot water and space heating.

Dan Kolbert of Kolbert Building and Construction was the general contractor on the job, Kaplan Thompson Architects of Portland designed the home. We would like to thank all of those who participated in this year’s Open House, for helping to make it a remarkable success!

UpComing Events

September 19th – Wonder of Wood in Portland

With over 90% of Maine’s land covered by trees, the forest defines and directs our daily view of life. This one day expo brings together all those that have an appreciation of our great resource in the ‘Wonder of Wood’ fair. This event combines exhibits, workshops and informative displays and will be free to the public. This event is being held at the Sullivan Gym at USM Saturday September 19th from 10 am – 3 pm.

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September 24th – Maine’s Energy Future Forum at Maine Audubon, Falmouth

Four panelists will discuss Maine’s Energy Future with emphasis on the “historic” LD 1485, An Act Regarding Maine’s Energy Future, passed in the last state legislative session. This event will be held at the Gilsland Farm and starts with breakfast and networking at 7:30am. Other pertinent energy legislation from last session also will be discussed.

The following four individuals, central in the formation of this legislation, will be the panelists: Senator Barry Hobbins, Senate Chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee, Senator Philip L. Bartlett II, Co-chair, Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Energy Future, Dylan Voorhees, Clean Energy and Global Warming Project Director, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Chris Jackson, Senior Governmental Affairs Specialist, Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

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September 25th-27th – Common Ground Fair in Unity

If you love the coast of Maine, you won’t want to miss this show, where Tradition Meets Innovation. Celebrate Rural Living with MOFGA. Make connections with organic farmers in the state of Maine. See hundred of vendors, exhibitors and demonstrations; compete in various activities during this three day event.

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September 29th – Fall Sustainability Festival in Standish

St. Joseph’s College of Maine’s newly formed “E-team” has decided to kick off the school year with a Fall Sustainability Festival. Organizations and businesses that promote sustainability will have booths set up and be available to answer questions. This event will be held rain or shine and is from 11am-2pm.

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September 30th – Half Moon Seminar in Portland

This is a one day solar energy course for Architects, Engineers, and Contractors. Topics to cover include: solar photovoltaics, solar hot water systems, solar heating and cooling systems, economics of solar energy systems, and evaluating actual case studies. Fortunat Mueller and Bill Behrens, partners of ReVision Energy will be conducting the seminar.

For more information or to register for this event visit www.halfmoonseminars.com.

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October 3rd – Green Buildings Open House throughout Maine and New Hampshire

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) invites the public to visit local sustainable buildings across New England including Maine and New Hampshire to talk with energy-saving experts during the 2009 Green Buildings Open House on Saturday, October 3.

NESEA’s Green Buildings Open House, a part of the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Tour, is an opportunity to learn first-hand how to reduce heating costs, increase energy conservation, and even generate surplus clean energy. Private homes, businesses, nature centers and public buildings will be open for the public to tour.

One can ask questions and discover ways people are conserving energy, saving money and protecting the environment. Examples of what you may see on the Green Buildings Open House include passive solar heating and design, solar hot water collection and storage, radiant floor heating, the generation of electricity using photovoltaics (solar panels) or wind, use of energy-saving appliances and techniques (super-insulation and sealing air spaces), use of sustainable and healthy building materials, and the use of water-saving fixtures. A complete list of Green Buildings Open House host sites is available at www.nesea.org.

Use this list to plan a single visit or design your own tour of several local green buildings. Tours are to be self-guided; buildings can be viewed from 10am – 4pm. ReVision Energy will also post to its website homes that are participating on this year’s tour.

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October 3rd – 2009 Conference “Cool Congress”, University of Maine Augusta
8:30am-4pm; The “Cool Congress” is an opportunity for Cool Teams, municipal leaders, energy committee member and citizens interested in getting involved in their Cool Community or starting one in their town to come together for a day of networking, workshops, and sharing of ideas & experiences. You can register the day of or online at Maine Partners for Cool Communities.

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October 3rd-4th – Green Home and Living Show at the Portland Expo
Green Home & Living Shows exclusively feature the latest energy-saving, eco-friendly products, services and strategies. View more than 100 exhibitors that are leading the way to a smarter, more sustainable future, and who are eager to help your family live well and live wisely. Learn more here.

UpComing Events

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

August 7 – 9th – Maine 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 will 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.

MaineBoats.com

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

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August 8th – Baystock Festival in Portland
Baystock Music Festival is being held this Saturday at the Maine State Pier in Portland. Reverb, a local non profit organization dedicated to engaging musicians and their fans to take action toward a more sustainable future, will be setting up an Eco-Village. The Eco-Village will feature local environmentally focused organizations and businesses. Doors open at 4 pm, tickets are still on sale.

Learn more at www.baystockmusicfest.org.

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August 13th – Wood Boiler Seminar in Liberty
Did you know that Maine & NH have the highest per capita CO2 emissions of the New England states? If you want to do something about this problem, you might consider switching from oil to a high efficiency gasifying wood or pellet boiler. Learn all about this amazing biomass technology and how you can be part of the energy solution.

Attend our free upcoming seminar Clean, Efficient Wood Heating with Maine’s Abundant Renewable Energy Source. 6-8 pm; 91 W Main St Liberty, ME. Call 589-4171 for more information.

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August 15-16th Saint George Energy Independence Days

Saturday, August 15th – there will be a self guided Sustainable House and Garden Tour run between 1-4 pm. 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, August 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.

Contact Jean Hewitt for more information (207) 372-8114

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August 20th Wood Boiler Seminar in Portland
Did you know that Maine & NH have the highest per capita CO2 emissions of the New England states? If you want to do something about this problem, you might consider switching from oil to a high efficiency gasifying wood or pellet boiler. Learn all about this amazing biomass technology and how you can be part of the energy solution.

Attend our free upcoming seminar Clean, Efficient Wood Heating with Maine’s Abundant Renewable Energy Source. 6-8 pm; 142 Presumpscot St Portland, ME. Call 221-6342 for more information.

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September 19th Wonder of Wood in Portland
With over 90% of Maine’s land covered by trees, the forest defines and directs our daily view of life. This one day expo brings together all those that have an appreciation of our great resource in the ‘Wonder of Wood’ fair. This event combines exhibits, workshops and informative displays and will be free to the public. This event is being held at the Sullivan Gym at USM Saturday September 19th from 10 am – 3 pm.