Transportation accounts for about 27% of all energy used in the U.S., and most of the gasoline. Yuck!

Long distances between our communities in ME and NH is a big part of what makes our two states among the most oil dependent in the nation.

The good news is that the electric cars just coming to market will enable northern New Englanders to eliminate their consumption of gasoline and the associated emissions.

Hybrid vehicles are already helping reduce fuel consumption, and totally electric vehicles (EV) will be on our roads in the coming months. And when a vehicle is powered by electricity, it means it can be powered using electricity provided by the sun!

Turning Over a New LEAF

In 2011 the very first Nissan LEAF vehicles will hit the market, and while it appears it will be a little while before a full fledged rollout in Maine and New Hampshire, these cars promise the first chance for a truly net-zero driving experience.

The all electric Nissan LEAF will run on all electric and drive for up to 100 miles on a single charge.

The LEAF is a 100% EV, with no gasoline engine (or tailpipe!) at all. Its 24kWh battery pack boasts a driving range of up to 100 miles on a charge, though many claim that 60-80 miles is a more realistic range.

Each “fill up” will cost around $4 (based on a delivered electric rate of $0.16/kWh). For a household driving around 15,000 miles a year, a conservative estimate of fuel cost is around $750 of electricity each year, vs. over $2,700/yr of gasoline in a typical 22mpg vehicle!

3.6 kw Solar Array = Fossil-free LEAF

With solar electricity you can offset some or all of the LEAF’s energy use. One kilowatt of solar panels will generate roughly 1,300 kWh/year in Maine or New Hampshire. A home with a fairly heavy driving load of 15,000 miles/year can therefore completely offset their transportation load with a 3.6kw solar electric system.

The costs look something like this:

$18,000 gross installed cost
-($5,400) federal tax credit
-($2,000) state rebate
$10,600 net investment

Estimated power production over 20 years: 93,600 kWh
Locked-in rate per kWh: .11c/kWh
Yearly energy cost for LEAF, with conventional power: $750
Yearly energy cost for LEAF, with solar electric: $516
Yearly fossil fuel emissions for LEAF, with conventional power: 5,200lbs.
Yearly fossil fuel emissions for LEAF, with solar electric: 0

And of course, if you drive less, any excess power will go against your regular electric bill!

That’s the beauty of grid-tied photovoltaic electricity – even if you are not home to use your solar power, you’re still getting credits for that power when it’s sold to the grid.  So even if you charge your EV at night, you’ll be using your own solar credits to refuel the car.

The Chevy Volt

Dubbed the “electric vehicle that goes further,” the Chevy Volt will seamlessly transition to a gasoline backup engine when the built-in battery is exhausted.

The Chevy Volt is Detroit’s take on the electric vehicle, combining a 16kWh battery with an estimated range of 35 miles (93 MPGe according to the EPA) and a range-extending gasoline generator for longer drives that nets around 37MPG.

The gas backup is to combat “range anxiety,” the motorist fear that they might be left stranded if they run out of juice while nowhere near an EV refueling station.

A Washington Post reviewer summed it up well:

What makes the Volt the Darling of Detroit is that it has been reverse-engineered to match the perverse American psyche. Americans hate buying gas but love to drive. We definitely want to stick it to the sheikhs, and in the process maybe save the planet, so we want cars that run on sunshine, twigs and happy thoughts. But these cars also have to kick some ass. And be able to make an impulsive 90-mile run to Philly when we suddenly have a hankering for cheese steak. And we don’t want to worry about hunting for twig refueling stations along the way.

All of that is what the Volt is theoretically designed to deliver.

The Volt’s electric MPG is fairly close to the Nissan LEAF (92MPGe and 99 MPGe respectively), though its all-electric range is less than half.  However, for the commuter who drives less than 35 miles a day (or can refuel at work), the possibility for an all PV-powered car is just as viable for a Volt owner as the owner of the all electric LEAF.

What About the Battery Charging Infrastructure?

How to refuel your electric car is one of the most talked-about and interesting areas of the dawn of the EV.

A parking lot structure with solar panels in California

While the cars can be refueled with a conventional 110AC power socket, it is much more efficient to charge them with a special “Level 2 Chargers.”  These 240V, 40a chargers will charge the LEAF in around 6 hours and cost the homeowner around $2,000, assuming their home can support an additional 40a service dedicated to charging the car.

On the horizon are commercial-grade rapid car chargers which aim to reduce the charge time to under an hour… maybe as little as three minutes! Also exciting are solar carports, which offer solar-powered electric vehicle charging for anyone who cares to visit it.

A Solar Road Ahead

EVs are obviously in their infancy, but with high gas prices a lasting reality and the environmental and geopolitical impacts of oil dependency being felt more than ever before, the push towards a more renewable transportation sector is inevitable.

Though nothing can beat biking, walking, or sailing to work, an EV powered by the clean energy of the sun is a pretty great option! Look for more from us as we follow the evolution of this exciting technology.

A big congrats to NH Coastal Protection Partnership, who earn $500 this month after we successfully reached our 500 “Check in” goal this April.

We’re excited for our Rain Barrel Workshop this Saturday (May 7) in our Exeter, NH office and are offering 5 more free rain barrels (1 per person, please) to our Facebook, blog, and newsletter followers.

For May, it is an honor to be supporting the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the leading environmental advocacy organization in Maine, a vital group who digs their heels in every day to fight for Maine’s environment at the state house and beyond.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine

NRCM’s valuable environmental work includes:

• Improving the quality of Maine’s rivers
• Reducing toxic chemicals threatening the health of Maine families and wildlife
• Decreasing air and global warming pollution
• Conserving Maine lands

NRCM harnesses the power of the law, science, and the voices of more than 12,000 supporters statewide and beyond.  They envision a Maine where citizens from all parts of the state and all walks of life are confident that their grandchildren will inherit a place where the water is pure, the air is clean, the forests are vibrant, and native plants and animals are protected.

Check in Now!

Just enter your name and email (optional) below to earn $1 towards NRCM’s environmental advocacy efforts.

Nominate Your Cause

Have a nonprofit you think should benefit from our program? Simply use our nominate form and you’ll get them in the running.

Fine print: Each person can “Check in” once each month using the widget you can find on our blog, website, and Facebook page. In addition we count all new “Likes” to our Facebook page as Check-ins so be sure to share this effort with your friends!

ReVision joined energy auditors, architects, and builders last week for a rally in support of UBEC, the Uniform Building and Energy Code, which sets standards for how homes and commercial buildings are built, from structural strength to ventilation, foundations and even the size of aggress windows. The Code also includes tough standards for energy conservation to help ensure new homes in Maine are less fossil-fuel dependent than their predecessors.

In a speech given by ReVision’s Jennifer Albee, we took the opportunity to highlight the value of the energy efficiency industry as a bright spot in a tough economy. Albee emphasized how exciting it is for a young person born and raised in Maine, to be in an industry geared for the future!

A few months ago we talked about how Efficiency Maine was leading the nation by creating low-interest Maine PACE loans to help homeowners finance energy efficiency projects including weatherization, heating system improvements, and solar hot water projects.

Nearly seven months later the loans are finally becoming available! Efficiency Maine has hammered out the details and we’re able to share the specifics of the program with you.

Key points on PACE:

• Minimum loan amount of $6,500, maximum loan $15,000
• Energy improvements must result in an overall home energy savings of 25% to qualify
• Energy savings is based on modeling performed by a qualified home energy auditor
• You must live in a town that has passed a PACE ordinance
• Fixed rate of 4.99%, 5, 10, or 15 year term, no pre-payment penalty or closing fees
• Loan is a junior mortgage and assumable (i.e. if you sell your home the loan can go with it)

How Do I Apply?

An online PACE application is now live on Efficiency Maine’s website as well as a program FAQ.

Note that the first step is get an energy audit done. ReVision Energy can recommend an auditor in your area if you’re interested – just contact us.

So, What Does PACE Mean for Solar?

As we mentioned recently with the launch of Biddeford Saving’s loan for solar hot water projects, the beauty of financing a solar hot water system is that the cost of loan payments is generally less than the equivalent cost of fossil fuel energy. In other words, they save you money from day one!

And, while the $1,000 Efficiency Maine solar hot water rebate would go towards paying down the loan principal, you are still eligible for the 30% federal tax credit when you finance solar hot water with PACE.

The only tricky part is that solar hot water’s energy savings benefits must be accurately modeled by your home energy auditor to ensure the system meets the 25% energy savings criteria (possibly in tandem with other work) that makes it qualify for a PACE loan. Due to the way the modeling is structured, solar hot water systems will be much more likely to qualify for a PACE loan than photovoltaic (solar electric).

Below is a video from the MABEP Conference 2010, when Fortunat Mueller of ReVision explains how 1BTU of Solar can Save 4 BTUs of Oil:

Want to Pursue PACE?

As part of our commitment to a full-service renewable energy experience, ReVision’s staff has been following the development of PACE and are intimately familiar with the process of applying for the loans. We also have strong connections in the energy auditing industry to streamline the process for you.

If the idea of finally being able to finance energy efficiency makes you ready to finally go solar, contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you get started.

Which towns have passed PACE?

Efficiency Maine reports 41% of Maine’s population lives in a town with a PACE ordinance – almost half a million people! 57 towns have passed PACE so far, including:

Albion, Alfred, Arrowsic, Arundel, Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bath, Belfast, Biddeford, Bowdoinham, Bradley, Brewer, Brooksville, Bucksport, Cape Elizabeth, China, Cumberland, Dayton, Dover-Foxcroft, Falmouth, Fayette, Fort Kent, Freeport, Gray, Hallowell, Hampden, Harpswell, Houlton, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Lincoln, Lisbon, Mechanic Falls, North Haven, Old Town, Orono, Phippsburg, Portland, Presque Isle, Richmond, Rockland, Saco, Scarborough, South Berwick, South Portland, Strong, Topsham, Vassalboro, Vinalhaven, Waterboro, Waterville, West Bath, Westbrook, Winslow, Winthrop, and Yarmouth.

In process, but not yet passed are:

Brunswick, Eastport, Unity, Buckfield, York, Old Orchard Beach, Kittery, Windham and New Gloucester.

If your town still needs to pass an ordinance, we recommend contacting your town officials to urge them to adopt the ordinance – Efficiency Maine has several PACE model ordinances (PDF) available that make these loans available to town residents risk-free to the town.

More PACE Resources

• PACE – Rules of the Road and Program Info (PDF)
• PACE – Participating Municipalities (PDF)
• PACE – Program Brochure (PDF)
• PACE – Advisory Notice (PDF)

The Maine PACE Loans program was seeded by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Efficiency Maine won the competitive grant to capitalize, administer and market the loans in a 2009 proposal. However, state law requires that all towns pass an ordinance enabling PACE before local homeowners become eligible for the loans.

A big congrats to Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center, who earn $500 this month after we successfully reached our 500 “Check in” goal this March. Thanks for helping out!

For April, we are pleased to be supporting New Hampshire Coastal Protection Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to combining sound science with education, collaboration and advocacy to protect the natural resources of the coastal watershed and effect long-term visible change.

NH Coastal Protection Partnership (NH Coast)

Little known facts:

• New Hampshire has over 220 miles of shoreline comprised of bays, harbors, and tidal rivers – including Great Bay, an “inland sea.”
• New Hampshire’s offshore waters are home to the endangered fin whale, which, at an average of 70 feet in length, is the second largest animal on earth!
• New Hampshire’s coastal land area drains 990 square miles, including the land area in all or part of 46 New Hampshire towns. Forests, wetlands and other natural areas give us water quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, and scenic views.

NH Coast’s initial program focus is to work with its watershed partners to develop a multi-faceted and phased approach to address the problem of excessive nitrogen loading in this coastal watershed’s Great Bay Estuary.

As a result of excessive nitrogen loading, the water quality of the Great Bay Estuary is in decline. During the past 25 years, nitrogen concentrations in Great Bay have increased by 59%. Dramatic increases in Nitrogen have negative impacts on drinking water, fish, animals and plant life. For example, the Great Bay has already seen a 49% loss of total eelgrass coverage area, which serves as a natural filter that cleans pollutants from our coastal waters and helps to sustain our fisheries.

Join Us May 7 for Rain Barrel Workshop at ReVision Energy’s Exeter Office

Among NH Coast’s many educational and outreach efforts are hands-on rain barrel workshops, where participants learn about the benefits of rainwater harvesting and come home with a functioning, food-grade recycled plastic rain barrel.

ReVision Energy is hosting a workshop in collaboration with NH Coast on May 7, see: http://rainbarrelnh.eventbrite.com/ for details and to sign up!

Check in Now!

As usual, just enter your name and email (optional) below to earn $1 towards NH Coast’s watershed protection efforts.

Nominate Your Cause

Have a nonprofit you think should benefit from our program? Simply use our nominate form and you’ll get them in the running. We support all of the many worthy organizations sent our way and will make our finest efforts to get yours on the ballot!

Voting starts the 15th of each month, and you can vote once from each computer. Unlike a “Check in,” when you vote you don’t need to provide your name.

Fine print: Each person can “Check in” once each month using the widget you can find on our blog, website, and Facebook page. In addition we count all new “Likes” to our Facebook page as Check-ins so be sure to share us with your friends!

With just two days left in the month, we’re less than 100 shy of all the “Check ins” needed to raise $500 for Riding to the Top Therapeutic Riding Center in Windham, Maine.

Use the form below to “Check in” (just your name is needed but if you share your email we’ll keep you up to date with solar news and details on the program) – and below is a video by a RTT parent showing what their programs are all about:

Left to Right: ReVision co-founder Phil Coupe, NH Branch Manager Dan Clapp, NH Office Manager Heather Fournier, and NH Solar Hot Water Installer Matt Boucher

Marking our commitment to helping New Hampshire homeowners use clean solar energy to reduce their carbon footprint and save money, ReVision Energy is pleased to announce the official opening of our New Hampshire office located at 7 Commercial Drive, Exeter, NH.

Starting April 4, we will have a full-time solar hot water crew operating out of the office, as well as full time office and support staff.

Since completing our first solar hot water system in the Granite State in 2007, we’ve seen tremendous demand in New Hampshire for cost-effective renewable energy. In two short years we’ve installed over 178 KW of grid-tied solar electric panels and enough solar hot water systems to eliminate the need for 7,000 gallons of heating oil annually!

Still, this is just the beginning – with oil prices on the rise and solar energy being one of the few truly guaranteed investments in a volatile economy, we expect to help at least twice as many homeowners, business owners, municipalities and institutions go solar in 2011 as we did last year.

A Growing New Hampshire Team

Helping us realize this mission is a new New Hampshire-based crew. Joining operations manager Dan Clapp (who has been onboard since mid-2010) is Heather Fournier, Matt Boucher, and Alex Greenhalgh.

Heather comes to us with a rich project management background earned as Installed Sales Manager Lowe’s, and grounding in renewable energy and sustainable design from her work at NHTI and Northeastern University. Matt and Alex start our growing hot water crew – Matt is a licensed NH Master Plumber with a deep passion for renewable energy, and Alex comes from a strong trades background to join the renewable energy industry. Both will be supported by John Capron from our Portland office as new operations get off the ground.

See ReVision’s New Hampshire Solar Showroom!

Our first event welcoming the public to the new location will be a rain barrel workshop held in partnership with New Hampshire Coastal Protection Partnership on May 7. Participants, led by NHCPP’s Dave Anderson, will be building their own rain barrel from recycled food grade plastic drums. Then, in June, we will be having an official grand opening celebration with food, music, and more – details and save the date coming soon!

ReVision’s new 7 Commercial Dr. Exeter, NH location boasts a full solar showroom, with examples of solar energy equipment and photos of completed installations

A 2kw ground mount photovoltaic system installed in Wells, Maine

ReVision Energy, in tandem with trade group MABEP and other partners in Maine’s renewable energy industry, is working hard for enactment of LD 761, An Act To Provide Rebates for the Purchase of Certain Solar and Wind Power Equipment.

The bill would extend Maine’s solar rebate program, which was inadvertently scheduled for termination in legislation passed last year due to a clerical error. But even though the termination was due to an error, our industry has to argue the merits of the solar energy program all over again.

If you’re a Maine resident, please contact your State representative and senator TODAY to request that they support LD 761, “An Act To Provide Rebates for the Purchase of Certain Solar and Wind Power Equipment.” You can click here to look up your legislators and their contact information. You can also see the specific legislators on Maine’s Energy, Utilities and Technology committee.

Action on this bill is expected as early as Thursday 3/24, so time is of the essence!

Here are some of the key talking points about the efficacy of the solar rebate program:

• Support for energy independence and small scale renewable renewable rebates has been unanimous and bipartisan in the past.
• The solar industry creates stable, good paying jobs in Maine.  A reliable rebate program is essential to creating a business-friendly climate. Businesses suffer when legislative snafus cause programs to end abruptly.
• The solar rebate program has distributed $600,000 in rebates, spurring $6,000,000 in private investments in solar energy systems. This 10:1 private/public funding ratio is good for all Mainers because it reduces statewide fossil fuel dependence and keeps money in the local economy.
• 40% of the cost of electricity is to pay for power lines used for transmission/distribution. Distributed generation options – i.e. grid-tied PV – are an important way to reduce the need to invest in expensive line upgrades over time.

One of the things we treasure about Maine is that politics are still local, and a few voices of support on this issue will make a tremendous difference when Maine’s legislature convenes to discuss the future of a state rebate program in Maine.

Please act today, and thank you!