Through the successful Solarize Upper Valley program, at least 181 more homeowners across the Upper Valley have signed contracts to go solar this year. The initiative, led by the nonprofit Vital Communities and local volunteers to increase the rate of solar adoption in the region, encouraged New Hampshire homeowners in Hanover, Orford, New London, Andover, and Wilmot, and Vermont homeowners in Woodstock, Pomfret, Randolph, Brookfield, and Braintree to commit to solar by the January 31 deadline.
“We’re thrilled that every Solarize community met or exceeded the goal of doubling the amount of solar in their towns,” said Vital Communities Energy Program Manager Sarah Simonds. “The dedicated volunteers who helped educate and encourage their neighbors should be very proud of their success in getting more renewable energy onto the grid and into residents’ homes. We hope the results of the first two rounds of Solarize – with more than 300 households signing contracts to go solar – will inspire residents across our region to consider solar as a viable option.”
In all, more than 800 homeowners – 7% of households – requested site visits from their community’s partner installer. The more than 180 households that committed to going solar in Round Two will add over a megawatt of renewable energy capacity to the region. Most installations will be completed this spring and summer.
Solarize Kearsarge
Andover, while not in the geographic area normally served by Vital Communities, was encouraged to join in the Solarize project by teaming up with the towns of New London and Wilmot, which are within the coverage area. Known locally as Solarize Kearsarge, the project was spearheaded in town by members of the Andover Energy Group, a voluntary organization formed in 2011.
As reported in the February Beacon, participation by Andover residents exceeded that of their New London and Wilmot neighbors, with 20 residents committing to solar-electric systems to be installed by ReVision Energy, the designated installer on the project. Another two to five residential systems may be installed by contractors other than ReVision, according to the Energy Group.
Members of the Andover Energy Group expressed broad satisfaction with the project outcome, according to Larry Chase, the group’s chair – “not only with the solid commitments made during the campaign, but also to the high level of interest shown, which may lead to more installations of solar and other alternative energy sources down the road.” Group members also cited Vital Communities’ project leadership and coordination, and the support of the project’s designated installer, ReVision Energy.
Solarize Upper Valley teamed up community volunteers with competitively selected solar photovoltaic (PV) installers for 15 weeks of outreach around small-scale solar energy, offering competitive prices, accessible resources, and a simplified process for solar PV installations. “At the launch event I found that even at the highest price level cost was much lower than when I looked at solar three years ago, and the utility payback is better than we expected,” reflected one new solar homeowner. According to another, “The incentive of a group doing it and lowering the cost was great.”
Vital Communities is currently recruiting volunteers for its third round of the Solarize Upper Valley program, which will launch publicly in June. Interested community members can learn more at VitalCommunities.org/Solarize. The deadline for communities to apply is March 16. Solarize programs have been successful in Massachusetts and Connecticut and are now taking root in other parts of the region and country.