Are you interested – even remotely – in installing solar panels to provide electricity for your home or small business?
If so, and if you own property in Andover, New London, or Wilmot, be sure to attend the launch of Solarize Kearsarge on Saturday, October 18, at 10 AM in the Ivey Science Center at Colby-Sawyer College in New London.
Solarize Kearsarge is a 15-week project with the goal of doubling the number of solar-electric, or photovoltaic, installations in the three-town community of Andover, New London, and Wilmot. It has been organized by the Andover and New London volunteer energy committees, with support from Vital Communities, a Vermont-based nonprofit organization, as part of its wider Solarize Upper Valley project spanning 10 towns in New Hampshire and Vermont. More information is available at VitalCommunities.org/Solarize/Kearsarge.
The October 18 Solarize Kearsarge launch event, open to the public at no charge, will feature an illustrated presentation on how photovoltaic systems work; their economic and environmental advantages over non-renewable energy sources; the variety of rebates, incentives, and discounts available; various financing opportunities; and the reasons to act during the 15 weeks of the Solarize project.
A question-and-answer period will follow. Take-away materials and sign-up sheets for more information will be available, and refreshments will be offered. After the session, an optional “field trip” to the Flying Goose Brew Pub about a mile away will give attendees a close-up look at a photovoltaic system in operation.
“We’re excited about the potential of Solarize Upper Valley to increase adoption of renewable energy in the region by simplifying the process of ‘going solar,’” said Sarah Simonds, Energy Program manager for Vital Communities. “This program will take us further toward our goal of meeting 90 percent of the Upper Valley’s energy needs through energy efficiency and renewable energy sources by 2050.”
Asked why Vital Communities is behind the project, Simonds said, “We’re committed to moving our region toward energy independence. With improvements in solar technology leveling out, costs coming down, and incentives available at the state and federal levels, now is the perfect time for New Hampshire residents to be looking into solar.”
Solarize Kearsarge Receives Wide Local Support
Andover’s selection to participate (with New London and Wilmot) in the “Solarize Upper Valley” initiative was the culmination of a significant local effort. Here are excerpts from the letters of support written on Andover’s behalf:
From Marj Roy, Andover Town Administrator:
“On behalf of the Andover (New Hampshire) Board of Selectmen, I am sending this letter to express its support for the application of the Andover Energy Group (AEG) as Andover’s participating organization in Round Two of Vital Communities’ “Solarize Upper Valley” project.
“While AEG is not a formal agency of town government, the group has over the past three years made significant contributions to our community. The AEG has successfully organized a series of well-attended public events and programs, informational meetings with town agencies, fact-finding sessions, and public communications activities.
“The Andover Energy Group’s membership represents a broad cross-section of the community. These members, and other supporters of AEG activities, sustain a wide local network vital for soliciting energy-related program ideas and bringing them to fruition.”
From Jane Slayton, Principal, Andover Elementary/Middle School:
“I am delighted to endorse and fully support the application of the Andover Energy Group to participate with the towns of New London and Wilmot in Round Two of Vital Communities’ ‘Solarize Upper Valley’ project.
“I am an enthusiastic supporter for a number of practical educational reasons.
“At the classroom level, the project can provide a variety of opportunities, at several grade levels, for teaching about the role that energy dependence plays in our lives, the global problems associated with fossil fuels, the science behind energy issues, and the economic and environmental trade-offs involved in energy choices.
“At the school-building level, the project can help educate staff, school board, and taxpayers about the costs – in dollars and in environmental impact – of alternative energy choices for school facilities (and for other municipal buildings as well).
“At the community level, the project, with its 15-week public outreach campaign, can help all our residents better understand the technical, economic, and environmental issues surrounding energy.”
From Charlie Darling, Publisher, The Andover Beacon:
“As the Beacon’s publisher, I’m committed to supporting all projects, programs, and events in our town that promise to increase its sustainability, resilience, and sense of community. The Vital Communities ‘Solarize Upper Valley’ project, as described to me, promises to do all three.
“As an individual, I firmly believe that the world’s current dependence on fossil fuels must decline, and I’m keenly interested in changing personal behaviors (my own included) to lessen that dependence. Again, the ‘Solarize’ project promises to help bring those changes about.
“I fully support Andover’s application to participate in the ‘Solarize’ project. I’ll do my best to promote the project in print, online, on our cable TV station, and in person.”
Volunteer leaders for the Solarize Kearsarge project are retiree Larry Chase of Andover, Colby-Sawyer business professor Bill Spear of New London, and New Hampshire State Representative Tom Schamberg of Wilmot.
How Solarize Works
1. A team of volunteers from the three towns has interviewed a number of potential solar installers and has selected ReVision Energy, based in Exeter, to work closely with potential solar purchasers in the three towns over the project period.
2. Between mid-October and the end of January, the volunteer team and ReVision Energy will host events, sign residents up for free site evaluations, and provide online resources to help local property owners understand where to begin, what to expect, and the costs and benefits of going solar.
3. As more residents in the three towns sign up to go solar by January 31, the savings, determined by a tiered pricing structure to be made public at the October 18 launch, will be greater for everyone.
The agenda will include presentations by Simonds of Vital Communities and a representative of ReVision Energy; and supporting comments by Bill Spear of New London, business professor at Colby-Sawyer College; Sophie Viandier of Andover, a member of the Andover Board of Selectmen; and State Representative Tom Schamberg of Wilmot.
For directions to the Ivey Science Center at Colby-Sawyer College, for additional information, and to be kept in the loop about more coming events, send your name and e-mail address to Larry Chase (Andover) at LBChase@nullaol.com, Bill Spear (New London) at WSpear@nullColby-Sawyer.edu, or Tom Schamberg (Wilmot) at Tom@nullYourPromoSolution.com.
The team would also like to hear from anyone interested in helping with the volunteer effort.