11-1SG Solar Up North Renewable Energy Initiative
Grant Round:
2011 February
Grant Program:
Small Grants
Grant Type:
Other Grants
Grant amount requested:
2,500.00
Grant amount awarded:
$1,650.00
Attachments
Please provide a brief description of the project for which you seek funding.
The Bethlehem Energy Committee was formed in May of 2007. In actively working towards its mission to promote energy efficiency and conservation the Bethlehem Energy Committee has: * Distributed over 4,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs. * Established a community garden for Bethlehem residents. * Helped organize two energy fairs (April and November 2008) at Profile High School in Bethlehem – the first educated about climate change and renewable energy, and the second focused on reducing residential energy consumption. * In collaboration with The White Mountain School, conducted a survey of town residents on efficiency and conservation measures taken in their homes, and assessed their interest in a town district heating system. * In collaboration with PSNH, has begun implementing comprehensive lighting improvements to the Bethlehem Municipal Building and Highway Garage. This project was completed in August 2010. * Successfully obtained funding through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program to perform $87,000 worth of energy efficiency upgrades to the Municipal Building. This project began in July 2010 will be completed in the spring of 2011. The Bethlehem Energy Committee is always looking for new ways to promote energy conservation, efficiency, and education in our area. In early July we initiated contact with Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) in Plymouth, NH. PAREI is an innovative non-profit organization that organizes energy raisers in the Plymouth area. In the Summer of 2010 the four members of the energy committee decided to start SUNREI in order to work in multiple communities in the North Country. We obtained a donation from Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank to purchase a Community Partnership with PAREI and purchase the solar tracking tool needed to asses solar gain. The funding from NEGEF would purchase tools/signage/supplies and provide consultation with PAREI to support SUNREI as we begin to offer energy raisers in the North Country of New Hampshire. Energy Raisers are modeled after barn-raisers. Neighbors work together on a solar water heating installation. Energy Raisers focus on installing solar water heating systems. According to the U.S. government Energy Star Program, domestic hot water heating comprises 11% of a household’s energy consumption. Here in the Northeast the majority of households heat their water with oil. Currently, the problem is being addressed with more energy efficient, cleaner-burning furnaces. The problem remains the water is still being heated solely by fossil fuels. We are taking it one step further by reducing the amount the furnace is operating. Each solar water heating system installed saves a family 60 -- 80% of the fossil fuels used to heat water for such things as showering, house cleaning and dishwashing. Water heating for domestic use, not for home heating, makes up 11- 20% of a home's fuel usage. Several PAREI members have tracked their usuage prior to insalling a solar water heating system and have found that a family of four uses between 25 -- 30 gallons of oil a month to heat water for domestic use. If solar energy can be used to heat this water 70% of the time, instead of fossil fuels, each solar water heating collector can save a family from burning up to 200 gallons of propane or oil in one year. For every gallon of oil not burned to heat a family’s water for such things as showers and dishwashing - 22 pounds of carbon gases are not emitted into our environment. That’s over two tons a year! Solar water heating not only reduces air pollution it also makes our community more energy independent and secure. PAREI estimates that each Energy Raiser costs approximately $2,000 in staff time and resources. A good deal of time is spent on educating the family before hand and training them to participate in the hands-on installation process. Before each Energy Raiser a solar site visit must take place to determine the site’s feasibility and several follow up visits are needed following the installation to insure families fully understand how their system works. Money is also needed to provide basic tools for volunteers, marketing, and additional support services from PAREI. We held the first informational meeting on January 16th, 2010 at WREN in Bethlehem, NH. We had a fantastic group of interested volunteers excited to begin installing solar water heating systems in our communities. We also gained commitments from 4 homeowners who are ready to host energy raisers in the spring and summer of 2011. We are working with these homeowners, with help from PAREI, to organize energy raisers and assist in the application for rebates.
Project Summary
SUNREI received a grant in 2011 to purchase tools, signage & supplies and provide consultation with PAREI to support SUNREI as we begin to offer energy raisers in the North Country of New Hampshire. Energy Raisers are modeled after barn-raisers: neighbors work together on a solar water heating installation.
Primary Issue Area:
Climate Change & Energy
Please break-down/categorize the program expenses:
| Proposed Item | Estimated $ Amount | Would grant funds be used for this item? | Type Of Expense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing fittings and pipe | $210.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Administrative expenses | $300.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Marketing | $100.00 | Yes | Materials |
| First Energy Raiser supervised by PAREI | $850.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Soldering equipment (map gas, solder, flux, fitting brushes, and sand cloth) | $85.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Fire Extinguishers (2 @ $40 each) | $80.00 | Yes | Materials |
| small parts organizers* (3 @ $15 each) | $45.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Pipecutters | $70.00 | Yes | Materials |
| First Aid Kits (1 @ $16 each) | $16.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Transfer pump | $200.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Drop lights* (2 @ $30 each) | $60.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Measuring tapes (3 @ $9 each) | $27.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Wiring equipment | $75.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Hammer | $20.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Screwdrivers | $20.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Wrenches (standard and metric box end, and adjustable set) | $85.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Wire Strippers | $22.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Tool Box (2 @ $30 each) | $60.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Volt meter and voltage detector | $30.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Flashlights (2 @ $30 each) | $60.00 | Yes | Materials |
| Extension cords (2 @ $20 each) | $40.00 | Yes | Materials |
Whom does your group need to make this project happen?
Please explain how your group will engage members from your community in this project.
SUNREI is fortunate to have access to networks available through WREN and PAREI. WREN has over 1,100 members and we will be able to advertise energy raisers and other events on the on-line bulletin board and through the e-newsletters. We advertised our first informational meeting on the e-newsletter which provided us with excellent exposure. PAREI has a network of 450 family and business members and can also help us generate interest. Further outreach is planned to the following organizations: Habitat for Humanity Ammonoosuc Region, Ammonoosuc Regional Energy Team, and Coos Community Benefits Alliance. SUNREI plans to host informational sessions during the energy raisers in order to answer questions and attract interest. We also plan to use establish connections with local media outlets to spread the word and generate interest and enthusiasm. A recent newspaper article about SUNREI in the Littleton Courier generated a positive response.
If your group receives a NEGEF Grow grant, how do you plan to pay for remaining expenses?
| $ Amount | Source |
|---|---|
| $2,500.00 | NEGEF Grant |
| $375.00 | Portion of sale from 3 Apricus AP-20 Evacuated Tube Collectors (3 @ $125) |
Please list these materials or services
| $ Amount | Item |
|---|---|
| $5,000.00 | Trailer for tools and supplies |
| $1,875.00 | Volunteer hours to organize 4 energy raisers (125 hr @ $15/hr) |
| $100.00 | Donated plumbing supplies |
| $15.00 | Soldering torch |
Please describe what changes will occur in your community and its environment when your group's project is successful.
Each installation will have a compounding effect, positively influencing public awareness and will result in further installations. Judging by the response to a recent meeting SUNREI hosted at WREN in Bethlehem and a corresponding newspaper article in the Littleton Courier, there is a tremendous amount of interest in solar hot water. Numerous people have approached the members of SUNREI and said that solar energy is something they have been interested in but did not know how to access information or installers in our area. SUNREI will make solar energy more accessible to homeowners and will increase awareness of solar energy in our community through hands-on experience and information sharing. The Initiative will measure their success by whether the following activities and goals were completed successfully from January 2011 to January 2012. * A contact list of at least 60 interested community members * Four local Solar Energy Raisers attended by 15-20 volunteers * Host one information session for the public during an energy raiser for interested community members and tradespeople Each installation will increase the energy security of the homeowner and the community. PAREI estimates that each solar water heating collector can save a family from burning up to 200 gallons of propane or oil in one year. SUNREI is interested in tracking fuel usage before and after installation of a solar hot water system. This will allow us to document not only reductions in fuel usage but also household savings on energy bills and changes in household carbon dioxide emissions. Energy raisers also teach new skills - I learned how to solder pipes during the first energy raiser I attended. The homeowner is directly involved in the process of installing the solar hot water system and gains practical knowledge about how the system works and how energy is used within the household. Energy raisers are also social events where local tradespeople can network and community members can share information. PAREI holds lunchtime information sessions and we plan to do this as well once we have 2 or 3 under our belts. During the sessions the public is invited to come and see the installation in progress.
Please list how many people in your community your group expects to actively engage in this project.
100
What relevant skills does the group need (but does not currently have access to) to help move the initiative forward?
In the future, SUNREI will need to develop a website. Professional website development is not a skill that we currently have.
What relevant skills do current members of the group have to help move the initiative forward?
The 4 founding members of SUNREI have the skills, interests, and prior experience working together to make this initiative successfull. David Van Houten: David is the founder of the Bethlehem Energy Committee and is an experienced community organizer. David’s home will be our first energy raiser. Ken Begg: Ken is a skilled craftsman and builder with a passion for solar energy. Ken is a member of the Bethlehem Energy Committee, and has attended an energy raiser with PAREI. Aaron Cockrell: Aaron is a N.H. Licensed Master Plumber with the skills and expertise to accurately and professionally perform solar installations. Aaron attended an energy raiser with PAREI and is prepared to coordinate the plumbing aspects of solar installations. Melissa Elander: Melissa is a member of the Bethlehem Energy Committee. Melissa has experience with the administrative accounting and reporting requirements of grant-funded projects.