A recent news story of a local community suffering from a natural gas well blow out has prompted us to put the spotlight on natural gas, which is frequently cited as a cleaner alternative to burning coal for power – which, nominally, it is.

However, development of natural gas by fracking introduces environmental costs which are worth taking a hard look at. Here are some facts about fracking:

• The fracking process requires millions of gallons of drinking water, which is injected with chemicals and becomes a toxic waste product.
• Fracking, like other forms of refining, has a land-use cost, and introduces thousands of heavy trucks and industrial buildings to otherwise undeveloped areas of Pennsylvania, New York, and other states.
• By federal law, natural gas companies are not required to disclose the contents of additives in their fracking solution. However, on the industry website fracfocus.org, the industry readily admits to injecting petroleum distillates, ethylene glycol (the toxic form of antifreeze found in your car), acids and various alcohols (http://fracfocus.org/chemical-use/what-chemicals-are-used).
• Opponents to fracking state that fracking solution includes other, more frightening ingredients including benzene and toulene (http://www.alternet.org/story/150450/there%27s_nothing_natural_about_natural_gas%E2%80%9C). Another concern is that fracking releases radioactive isotopes in sendimentary layers and allows them to rise into drinking water supplies. And did we mention earthquakes? http://www.earthworksaction.org/fracturingearthquakes.cfm
• Little research has been done to confirm or deny that chemicals used in fracking will infiltrate drinking water. However, videos showing tap water lighting on fire are very real, and so are the devastating effects to communities where natural gas well spills have taken place.

Where We Stand

We do not see natural gas as a long-term solution to our nation’s energy problems. While cleaner burning than coal for electricity or oil for heat, it is nonetheless a limited fossil fuel, and the resources we’ll expend in developing natural gas infrastructure could alternatively be used to further efforts in a smarter, more distributed grid, powered by renewable energy inputs.

While traditional fuels are still a reality in our energy picture, we encourage a vision that doesn’t settle for “less bad” alternatives to coal and oil – but work towards a truly sustainable energy future.

Find this useful? Each month we’ll continue highlighting various “costs” associated with energy – both traditional and alternative – in an effort to showcase the challenges we face in moving to a renewable energy economy.

Brett Humble, Project Officer, US Dept of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Bill Gabler, ARRA Project Manager, Joanne Morin, Director of the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, Dr. Scott Kalicki, President of LRCC., Phil Coupe, co-founder, ReVision Energy, Scott Osgood, Director of Capital Planning at Community College System of New Hampshire gathered to a cut a power cord at LRCC’s new dual-axis tracking solar array.

Sun greeted a crowd of 10-20 attendees at Lake Region Community College‘s (LRCC) ribbon cutting ceremony for their new 3.7kw dual-axis tracker installed by ReVision Energy using equipment from Vermont-based AllEarth Renewables.

The event was MC’ed by LRCC President Dr. Scott Kalicki, and featured words from ReVision Energy co-founder Phil Coupe and Joanne Morin, Director of the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning.

The tracker moved right on cue as Phil took stage! His brief speech touched on the importance of solar in the transition to a renewable energy economy, energy independence, and the growth of green jobs:

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After the ceremony, attending guests asked questions to ReVision Staff and were taken on a tour by ReVision’s Fred Greenhalgh to see the 12.4kw rooftop solar photovoltaic array as well as the 43″ data monitoring display in the college lobby.

Thanks again to LRCC for hosting the event, and for great support from Bill Gabler, ARRA Project Manager, and Laura Richardson, ARRA Coordinator for SEP.

More Photos from Our Solar Events Gallery:

A local Target store lets customers know that the store’s A/C load is reduced to help keep the region’s electric usage under control

When it’s a searing 100-degrees in Maine or New Hampshire, we concede it’s a worthy time to put on an air conditioner. But while A/C may take the edge off the heat for us humans, the strain is pushed onto the electric grid.

As consumers we usually only experience electricity’s effects – turning on the lights, running a fan, or powering a gadget. Yet, in the background is an extraordinarily elaborate system of transmission and distribution that ultimately ties back to a control room that looks remarkably like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.

Here grid operators have job #1 of maintaining consistent electricity supply despite constantly fluctuating and limited data. While most power is purchased at bulk auction for competitive prices, when there’s a sudden flux of demand, options become limited and the real-time cost of electricity skyrockets. For example, when savagely hot temperatures hit the Northeast and anyone with an A/C kicks it on.

When a kWh Costs a Lot More than a kWh

On Thursday, July 21, for example, a power line failure knocked several power substations out of commission (Source: Portland Press Herald), an event which, combined with the heat, caused electricity prices to more than quadruple as backup generators and reserves were kicked in to meet the demand. The brutal pattern repeated that Friday, when from 1pm – 6pm power cost more than $250 per gWh, four times more than electricity cost the previous Friday, July 15.

The worst part of this equation is that the electric generators brought online to meet peak demand are often the dirtiest and least efficient tools to produce power – short cycle, peak-load firing coal or oil power plants (located in such picturesque areas as Cousins Island and Bar Harbor, Maine).

The utility companies’ solution to heavy summertime use is to build more and bigger power lines, often through previously undisturbed habitat.  The transmission build out is an expensive and intensive project, comprising pieces like this 286-ton transformer, made in Taiwan, the transportation of which requires a 16-axle truck and roads to be supported with extra steel bracing!

With all the cost associated with propping up the existing system, we can’t help but ask – why don’t we harness the sun instead?

The Vision of Distributed Solar

We’ve talked about the idea of distributed solar before, mostly in the context of our allies at GridSolar. The concept is this: install solar panels where power is most needed under peak conditions – the hospitals, schools and commercial buildings with large flat roofs, big A/C units, and population-dense neighborhoods.

This solar electric installation in in-town Yarmouth will offset peak electric use in the neighborhood when it produces more power than it uses

Since, almost by definition, solar panels will perform close to their peak when A/C loads are the highest, distributed solar accomplishes the goal of reducing strain from the grid without requiring expensive and inefficient peak fossil fuel inputs. Oh, and they have the added benefit of producing clean electricity the other 355 days when it’s not peak load!

Of course, you don’t need a huge installation to help the cause – literally every grid-tied solar electric installation helps take some load off the grid. Within ReVision’s customers alone there is over 2MW of electricity being eased off the grid during peak hours of use (as well as all the other times the sun is shining).

So, with solar electricity you can feel good about running your air conditioner, or even better – if you’ve gone to the beach, you can rest assured your system is helping run your neighbors A/C instead, and you’re racking up the credit. Now that’s cool!

More Resources on this Staggering Summer and the Grid:

We’ve stumbled across some really interesting materials on the state of the electric grid and our use of electricity. These might interest you, too:

• APM’s Marketplace has been featuring segments of an hour-long documentary on our addiction to coal power
• New York City is getting serious about solar – with 2/3 of its buildings good sites for solar, the city predicts it could meet 1/2 its energy needs with solar power.  From CNN Money
• We were inspired by this story of the Japanese working as a nation to keep the electric use under control in a post-Fukushima environment

A crowd of more than a dozen turned up for our open house event at the home of the Forceys in Durham, New Hampshire.

We want to give a big thank you to Charles Forcey, who hosted a wonderful crowd of people a few weeks ago for a solar tour of his home in Durham, New Hampshire.

Forcey, founder of Historicus, a company that helps institutions and individuals use new media to further research and teaching goals, is the proud owner of both solar hot water and solar electric systems for his home.

Forcey says of the project:

The install went better than I could have dreamed. Both crews were punctual, polite, informative, and clearly masters of their crafts. So impressive how the great culture of the company has been translated to everyone on the team. What a great experience. Now the neighbors are stopping by time and again and asking for your contact information!

Neighbors and the general public had an opportunity to see both the 3 kw grid-tied solar electric array and 60-tube solar hot water system for an Open House held on June 25. Jen Hatch and Heather Fournier from ReVision explained how the systems work, and Charles had an opportunity to talk about how economics and environmental reasons made it the right time to go solar for him.

Thanks again Charles, and we hope to gather more of the solar-interested at our upcoming series of solar open houses to be held this fall.

More Photos from the Event:

Over the weekend over 20 people came out for our open house at Charles Forcey’s home in Durham, which sports a recently installed solar hot water and solar electric system

As we’ve previously reported, New Hampshire’s solar hot water rebate program has been running low on funds, and we’ve just received word that only 48 spots are left for the $2,000 federal portion of the rebate.

Once these funds are committed, the average $2,600-$2,900 rebate is reduced to $600-900.

With oil prices what they are, and the generous 30% federal tax credit, solar hot water is still an excellent investment, however if you’ve been holding out for a drop in prices — don’t! The rebates will unlikely ever be this good again.

If you’ve talked to us before, or are interested in moving forward on a proposal, please contact us to get moving, and soak up those rays of sun!


Rendering of proposed $100m multiplex which would revitalize Thompson’s Point

The recent proposal to build a convention center, hotel, sports arena and music hall at Thompson’s Point in Portland is an exciting vision for Portland.

The project would revitalize an industrial area of the city and bring in new music, entertainment, and convention business. But why not go bigger and bolder, and make it the first Carbon Neutral multiplex in the nation?

Ideals Matching Reality

Although most Maine residents and visitors come here for the pristine environment, the reality is we have the highest per capita CO2 emissions in New England — as well as the highest per capita oil consumption in the region. Rather than continuing this track, the new facility could use 21st centuring building technology and renewable energy to showcase a different vision.

Imagine the worldwide marketing opportunities that would result from being able to host carbon neutral conventions and music and sporting events? Portland could become a major player in the booming worldwide clean energy revolution while at the same time improving the chances of its survival in the coming age of dwindling fossil energy supplies.

The entire Thompson’s Point multiplex could be easily heated with modern district pellet heating, which would keep the carbon neutral fuel source right here in our beautiful state and therefore keep hundreds of thousands of annual fuel dollars in Maine’s economy. Solar arrays on properly designed rooftops could supply the necessary electric power as well as domestic hot water.

This is a tremendous opportunity for Portland to get it right from the start–let’s banish fossil energy from the Thompson’s Point multiplex.

The Vermont Energy Act of 2011 expands the State’s net metering program, establishes a minimum .20c/kWh benefit for renewable energy, and streamlines the permitting process for new photovoltaic systems.

Renewable Energy World concisely summarizes the program:

The process, which replaces permitting, allows solar customers to install the system 10 days after completing a registration form and certificate of compliance with interconnection requirements. The utility has 10 days to raise any issues concerning the interconnection, otherwise a Certificate of Public Good is granted and the project may be installed.

By making the standards for solar installations consistent state wide, Vermont recognizes that in the hands of competent installers, a grid-tied solar energy system is a straightforward installation with little risk to the homeowner.

The Green Mountain State Leads the Nation

Vermont’s progressive vision is literally first in the nation and has inspired many other states as a result. Installers in California, for example, estimate similar measures would eliminate $2,516 in permitting costs per residential installation and provide a $1 billion stimulus to the solar industry over the next five years.

To keep standards of work high, Vermont regulates quality through close relations with the independent, nonpartisan trade association Renewable Energy Vermont (REV). For a homeowner to access state rebates, they must contract an installer who has been scrutinized by REV, a process which includes a review of prior work, proof of technical competence, and a request to review NABCEP credentials.

What Vermont’s Neighbors Can Learn

ReVision Energy solar installers at Lake Region Community College.

The streamlined permitting process and generous, performance based rewards for solar are all part of Vermont’s efforts to build a more independent electric grid and reduce carbon emissions – but it’s not just about the environment.

Martha Staskus of REV said in a recent interview that “Renewable energy development is an economic driver, creating jobs in the development, construction/manufacturing and renewable energy industries. Vermont has more than 300 renewable energy businesses – and as these thrive, job growth benefits.”

In a time when job-creation is a #1 issue for most politicians, we hope the fact that solar is the fastest growing industry in the US will catch their attention. The rewards for clean energy are huge – cleaner air to breathe, reduced stress on the grid, independence from fossil fuel energy and great jobs for the people who install the systems (as our team can attest).

Cheers to the Green Mountain State!

A recently installed solar hot water system in Gorham, New Hampshire

Now’s the time to get in your reservation if you want to benefit from New Hampshire’s generous residential solar hot water rebate (averaging $2,600 for most homes).

We’ve received word that the reservation window has been reduced from 12 months to 3 months (that is, the window you have between submitting a pre-approval and having your installation completed), per request from the DOE.

The state is encouraging homeowners to complete all of their solar hot water installations by this October. Due to the popularity of the program we encourage you to contact us today if you want to get a system installed this season. The commercial rebate program still looks good.

The good news is that financially the program still has plenty of funds, though we are told most of the DOE money (which funds the $2,000 portion of the rebate) has already been committed. In general, the solar rebates made possible by ARRA funds are running out, so rebates may likely never be as good as they are today. With oil prices high, and set to go higher, the time is really right for solar!

Click here to see the whole update from New Hampshire PUC.

What About RGGI?

In February/March of this year New Hampshire shocked much of the Northeast by presenting a bill that would pull the Granite State out of RGGI, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. We called upon lawmakers to think about the long-term implications of such a move and stand up to support RGGI.

This past week, the NH Senate voted to revise rather than repeal RGGI. Businessweek reports:

The Senate voted 16-8 Wednesday to approve an amendment proposed by Senate Republican Leader Jeb Bradley to a House bill. The amendment retains the state’s participation in the program but limits how the money is spent by dedicating it to well-established energy efficiency programs run by the utility companies.

The amendment replaces a bill passed by the House in March that would end the state’s participation in RGGI, but the Senate lacks the votes to override a gubernatorial veto of that legislation. Bradley’s proposal is meant as a compromise.

Gov. John Lynch has not said he would veto the House bill, but he opposes efforts to end New Hampshire’s participation in the greenhouse gas initiative.

“You can’t always get what you want,” Bradley said, “but what we need today is good government. … We have got to fund programs that work.”

Bradley estimates New Hampshire’s program costs the average ratepayer 35 cents per month. His proposal would drop the monthly cost to 17 cents.

Full story here: http://buswk.co/iNiwPp

The Latest from Maine

Legislation that will continue Maine’s solar rebates for the foreseeable future is expected to pass, however the program still has not been given an alternative funding mechanism yet. While the tract looks promising, we still urge you to contact your state legislators if you have not already and ask them to support solar rebates. For those who have advocated on behalf of solar rebates so far… thank you!

We understand around $500,000 remains in the program, which should sustain the ME state solar rebates for at least the next 6 months. We’re hoping to see an effective funding alternative make it into place for a more sustainable continuation of the program before the current funds are exhausted.