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ReVision Energy Newsletter - August | |||
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Maine State Rebate Program Still Accepting Applications 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 your local ReVision Energy office and we will gladly assist you.
New Hampshire Residential PV Rebates Available 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 Will Kessler at (603) 486-7170 or will@revisionenergy.com.
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Solar Space Heating & Solar Electricity ~ Lincolnville Cynthia Lao has taken a giant step away from fossil fuel energy dependence by converting almost every inch of her south-facing roof to solar energy collection. At the peak is a 90-tube Apricus solar hot water collector array, which will produce roughly 25 million BTUs of clean, renewable heat energy annually. This energy is stored in a 160-gallon solar storage tank with three inches of rigid foam insulation to prevent overnight heat loss. In fact, ReVision has tested the tank and found that heat loss is less than .5 degree F per hour, which works out to less than 6 degrees from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. When the sun is shining, the system will easily produce 100% of domestic hot water. Plus, during the early fall and late spring, the system will have excess heat capacity which will be used to heat the radiant floor system. In the heart of the heating season, when less solar energy is available, the existing boiler will come on for space heat and domestic hot water as necessary to ensure there is a consistent supply of comfortable hot water, and a comfortably heated home. Also installed is a 4.5 kilowatt grid-tied solar electric array below the solar hot water collectors and above the existing skylights. The system is comprised of twenty 225-watt SunPower solar electric modules and one SunPower 4000m inverter. This system is expected to produce 6,150 kwhrs of clean, renewable electricity per year, offsetting roughly 8,200 lbs. of CO2 emissions annually. With no moving parts anywhere in the system, grid-tied PV is the most reliable renewable energy technology. This is why PV systems come with a 25-year warranty! When you combine the 30% federal tax credit and $2,000 state rebate, grid-tied solar electricity becomes an attractive investment opportunity because you can lock in your electric rate for the next three decades.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine Stride toward Energy Efficiency
In an effort to achieve higher energy efficiency and lower overhead costs, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine contracted ReVision Energy to develop a strategy to reduce fossil fuel consumption and CO2 emissions at their South Portland Clubhouse location. Pat Coon, one of ReVision's founders and a leading efficiency expert, performed an evaluation of the facility's mechanical systems and found that thousands of gallons of fuel oil were being wasted each year because the inefficient oil boiler was over-sized for the required job. Pat recommended that the Boys & Girls Clubs replace their existing oil boiler with a high efficiency gas boiler, and install a solar domestic hot water system. By replacing the existing high mass oil boiler with the 95% efficient low mass gas boiler, and by integrating the solar hot water system, it is estimated that the Boys & Girl Clubs will save over 4,500 gallons of oil annually, as well as prevent over 100,000 pounds of CO2 emissions from entering our atmosphere each year. By investing in energy efficiency for their buildings, the Boys & Girls Clubs, a non-profit organization focused on creating positive places for kids, intends to use the funds once spent on heating oil for their valuable youth programs.
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Patrick Brady, Summer Intern, UMaine Engineering Student
After a semester abroad in Australia, Patrick joined ReVision Energy in June 2009 as part of the company's renewable energy internship program. Patrick is studying at the University of Maine in Orono; he will be going back as a senior this fall and is majoring in Civil Engineering. Patrick's interest in ReVision Energy was to learn about sustainable renewable energy and how it can be applied to industry. "I think any resistance to energy change in the present or future is a grave mistake and this summer has only made me more aware of the energy evolution we are in the midst of and what is on the horizon," said Patrick, reflecting on his summer at ReVision. There are a number of projects Patrick has undertaken. Some of these include: editing and printing system manuals, creating a company overview booklet, assisting on the job site of the Boys & Girls Clubs, conducting a study to identify potential wood boiler clients, assist with planning and also participating in marketing events. Patrick also spends part of his time working at Chick's Marina in Kennebunkport and is currently working at getting his captain's license. In his spare time he enjoys boating, soccer, hockey and fishing. We have enjoyed getting to know Patrick and appreciate the work he's done here this summer. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. | |||
There’s so much going on; come join in the summertime fun!  August 7 - 9th - Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors in Rockland. Friday & Saturday: 10-6:00 p.m.  August 8th - Baystock Festival in Portland August 13th - Wood Boiler Seminar in Liberty 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. 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 hewittjj@gmail.com or (207) 372-8114 August 20th Wood Boiler Seminar in Portland 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. September 19th Wonder of Wood in Portland Thank You! | |||
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