Maine Solar Road Trip; Tour of New Hampshire Solar Energy Installations

Coffee by Design Fuels Roasting Operation with Solar

May 8th, 2012

Founded in 1994, when Portland’s downtown vacancy rate was 40%, Coffee by Design has from its origins been a promoter of local art and nexus of Portland’s community. From their humble origins, they have grown into a staff of 45, with four coffeehouses (three are icons of Portland’s downtown and one is at LL Bean’s flagship store in Freeport) and a micro-roastery on Portland’s East End.

Always driven by values – and quality – Coffee by Design has tried to do the right thing for decades by being selective with coffee purchasing and nurturing relationships with their coffee growers. They compost their coffee grounds, and were one of the first coffeehouses to offer biodegradable plastic cups. They are big supporters of local art, and Portland Buy Local, and so the next step – local energy – was a natural fit.

“For years, solar had been a dream,” said CBD co-founder Alan Spear, “Originally we had thought we would just get a couple panels up there, but it became clear that the opportunity was to cover our entire roof with solar panels.”

That opportunity was a grant from Efficiency Maine, which offered a $20,000 grant for energy efficiency upgrades, including solar. ReVision Energy and CBD partnered to work on the grant, which was no small feat in itself. “It was a lot of work,” comments CBD’s other co-founder, Mary Allen Lindeman. “Luckily we had ReVision’s great staff to help us through the process and put the whole thing together.”

Even after they successfully secured the grant, being able to install solar was not certain. CBD still needed to come up with the capital for the other half of the project, and the condition of their Washington Ave roof space required additional investment. But, as the grant’s deadline started to approach, conditions started lining up for CBD to make the project happen. “We just couldn’t let this pass us by,” Lindeman said, “So we decided to make it happen and realize our dream.”

Solar Powered Coffee Roasting

44 solar electric panels installed for Coffee by Design's Washington Ave roastery in Portland, Maine

That solar dream? 44 grid-tied photovoltaic panels which cover just about every usable inch of roofspace on their Washington Ave roastery. The system – enough to power 2 homes – is expected to produce about half of the power used in the facility, offsetting roughly 18,000 lbs of C02 emissions from conventional electricity sources.

“The install went great, I couldn’t imagine it going any better,” says Spear. “[ReVision Energy Project Manager] Josh was great, very easy to work with, and things went very smoothly. We had full retail operations going and only heard positive things from our customers – who are always the first to tell us if things are awry.”

In fact, word from customers so far has been outstanding. Lindeman and Spear both comment on their Facebook posts about solar, which attracted the most ‘likes’ and comments of any to date. The highly visible system has become a talking point about solar in the whole East End neighborhood. And being part of the neighborhood is, ultimately, what Coffee by Design is all about.

“For us, this was an opportunity to really think about who we [Coffee by Design] are and focus on our values,” Lindeman adds. “We decided that solar was part of those values and so we went for it – and we have been thrilled to see our customers respond positively to our commitment.”

You can get your own cup of solar brewed joe at any of Coffee by Design’s coffeehouses, on India Street, Congress Street, or Washington Ave in Portland, and in the L.L. Bean Flagship Store in Freeport. Live further afield? You can order coffee online.

Hear the CBD Solar Story in their own words with our latest Solar Road Tour video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtA6O5gl7O4&feature=youtu.be

More Photos from Our Commercial Solar Photo Gallery

Solar Road Tour Episode 7 – Midcoast Maine Solar in Waldoboro and Hope

December 12th, 2011

On this edition of the solar road tour we head to Waldoboro, Maine, a beautiful coastal community with real Maine character. Down the sleepy Bremen Rd you’ll find Donald Born, who installed a 2.76kw grid-tied photovoltaic system on his barn in August 2010. Since then, he reports having nearly eliminated his electric bill, receiving only the $8.43 CMP minimum charge each month to keep his power service activated.

We visited Don to talk about his system, why it made sense, what he likes about it, and to play ball with his dog.

After Don’s, we drive a bit further north to the Hope General Store, where owner Andrew Stewart is trying to foster a spirit of community at the historic small town centerpiece. Part of that spirit is a commitment to sustainability, embodied by the addition of a 4.6kw solar electric system. Andrew reports on how solar has reduced his costs as a business owner and is sparking conversation in this eclectic mid-coast community.

Miss Solar Road Tour Episodes?

Our visit to midcoast Maine wraps a great season touring Maine and New Hampshire. Prior episodes are up on our blog:

• Episode 6: OceanView at Falmouth Uses Solar for Smart Growth
• Episode 5: Highlands Solar Hot Water, Bowdoin College
• Episode 4: SMCC’s Alternative Energy Education Program and Scratch Baking Company
• Episode 3: Paul Ledman’s High Performance Apartments at 62 Cumberland Ave, Portland
• Episode 2: Melissa Coleman on Cranberry Ridge, Freeport Library
• Episode 1: Gritty’s and LL Bean sport solar hot water in Freeport, Maine

We hope to be back on the road next spring! See you then.

Solar Road Tour Episode 6: OceanView at Falmouth Uses Solar for Smart Growth

November 11th, 2011

Just up the road from our Portland showroom is Oceanview at Falmouth, a unique retirement community that makes smart growth a core part of its mission. Solar hot water is a major part of that smart growth.

Since 2007, Oceanview at Falmouth has installed numerous solar hot water systems, including:

• 360 tube array on Hilltop Lodge
• 12 flat plates on Falmouth House
• Heliocol collectors for their pool
• 14 collectors instaled on their newest expansion to the Main Lodge

We visited as part of our ongoing Solar Road Tour, taking the opportunity to speak with Oceanview’s Sales & Marketing Manager, Gloria Walker, and resident John Radebaugh, M.D. We learn a little bit about Oceanview’s environmentally-minded vision of growth and how solar hot water is a crucial part of that vision.

Solar Thermal A Clear Environmental and Economic Winner

Chris Wasileski, who works in Seacoast Management’s Development Office, took some extra time to speak with us about the big picture of solar energy in our world.

“We have always been interested in solar energy, from both a social and environmental standpoint, but for it to work as a business there needs to be a solid case on the side of economics,” he says, “This sweet spot is what has lead us to invest in so much solar hot water over the years. We found that solar thermal offers great payback and great potential – there are strong incentives and rebates, which when combined with impressive fuel savings have made these investments clear winners for us.”

After partnering with ReVision on nearly a dozen projects, Chris says his experience “Has been very easy, ReVision is my go-to firm for solar hot water. They are as critical to our business as the plumbers we work with.”

In addition to saving money, solar hot water helps Oceanview achieve a greater vision of raising awareness of fossil energy alternatives and encouraging their adoption. “By having these systems all over our buildings, we’re showing our customers, clients, and staff that we believe in solar energy, and help them to believe in it, too. Since the Carter era, the biggest question mark with solar has been whether it is cost feasible, and I believe we’re showing that it is. We look forward to a renewable energy future for everyone.”

Big thanks to Oceanview for letting us tour the facility, and to Dr. Radebaugh for sharing his story with us. Stay tuned next month for our final leg of the road tour for 2011, which sends us up to Midcoast Maine.

Miss Solar Road Tour Episodes?

We’ve had a lot of fun touring Maine and New Hampshire on our journey. Prior videos on our blog:

• Episode 5: Highlands Solar Hot Water, Bowdoin College
• Episode 4: SMCC’s Alternative Energy Education Program and Scratch Baking Company
• Episode 3: Paul Ledman’s High Performance Apartments at 62 Cumberland Ave, Portland
• Episode 2: Melissa Coleman on Cranberry Ridge, Freeport Library
• Episode 1: Gritty’s and LL Bean sport solar hot water in Freeport, Maine

More Photos from our Commercial Solar Photo Gallery:

Solar Road Tour Episode 5 – Highlands Solar Hot Water, Bowdoin College

October 7th, 2011

Our Solar Road Tour takes us a little further up the coast, where we visit The Highlands in Topsham, a unique retirement community with a strong environmental commitment.

In 2007 The Highlands installed what was Maine’s largest solar hot water system at the time, a 540 evacuated tube system expected to pay for itself in 6 years due to its dramatic reduction in fossil fuel use. The Highlands expanded this year with 24 flat plate solar hot water collectors on their Maine Lodge.

For The Highlands, solar hot water is a win-win: the collectors save their business thousands of dollars a year in fuel costs, while helping to preserve the memorable local environment that appeals to their residents. In this video, we talk to Highlands Sales Consultant, Don Wessels, as he tells us a bit about the system, its value to Highlands, and their commitment to sustainability.

In the second half, we check out a sizzling 48 flat plate solar hot water array on top of Bowdoin’s Thorne Dining Hall… you can see system performance for Thorne (as well as many other campus buildings) online!

Miss Solar Road Tour Episodes?

We’ve had a lot of fun touring Maine and New Hampshire on our journey. Prior videos on our blog:

• Episode 4: SMCC’s Alternative Energy Education Program and Scratch Baking Company
• Episode 3: Paul Ledman’s High Performance Apartments at 62 Cumberland Ave, Portland
• Episode 2: Melissa Coleman on Cranberry Ridge, Freeport Library
• Episode 1: Gritty’s and LL Bean sport solar hot water in Freeport, Maine

More Photos from Our Commercial Solar Photo Gallery:

Solar Road Tour Episode 4 – Future Looks Sunny at SMCC

September 23rd, 2011

In this edition of the Solar Road Tour we head to Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) located on a sun-drenched peninsula of Casco Bay, where from the front of the new SEA Center you can see alternative energy technology on display, juxtaposed with a view of oil tankers coming into Portland Harbor in the distance.

We talk to John Brautigam, program director, about SMCC’s dedication to training students how to install the renewable energy technologies of the present and future. A diversion then takes us to Scratch Baking Company where we have the ultimate delight: the solar cupcake.

Solar Road Tour Episode 3 – Net Zero Apartment Building in Portland, Maine

September 2nd, 2011

Thought you couldn’t build an apartment building in Maine without depending on fossil fuels? Think again! Paul Ledman proves with his new 3-unit dwelling in Portland that exceptional insulation and smart mechanical systems can work to make a home that requires no source of energy other than the sun… even in Maine! Even with tenants!

We’re proud to have this exceptional building in our backyard and thank Paul for taking the time to talk to us about this exciting project.

Solar Road Tour: Episode 2 – Melissa Coleman Talks LEED, Freeport Libary

August 19th, 2011

In the second installment of our new series The Solar Road Tour, Fred continues his adventures in Freeport, meeting with Beth Edmonds of the Freeport Public Library and Melissa Coleman, author of the new memoir This Life is in Your Hands who lives in a LEED Platinum home.

We continue on the road for our next show on September 2nd, when we’ll be visiting the net-zero apartment building of Paul Ledman in Portland, Maine.

Solar Road Tour: Episode 1 – Solar Powered Brew at Gritty’s, Hot Hot Water at LL Bean

August 5th, 2011

Fred Greenhalgh from ReVision has been out and about touring solar energy systems up and down the Maine and NH coasts, talking to people about solar and showcasing how they work. The result? A new web video series called The Solar Road Tour.

In Episode 1, we make it up to beautiful Freeport, Maine on a day of unlimited sunshine to see the solar atop Gritty McDuff’s and LL Bean.

Stay tuned for Episode 2, due out on August 19, where we visit the Freeport Library to see how they’re educating the public about energy efficiency, and tour the LEED Platinum home of author Melissa Coleman. Solar Road Tour is an ongoing series and we plan to have two short videos a month from now until the end of the year.