"reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere"

The Green Energy Fair is a free event that will be held at the First Universalist Society of Franklin, 262 Chestnut St., on Thursday, Feb. 5. It will feature information from a Wrentham organic farmer, vendors selling green products and energy-saving tips.

The Global Warming Cafe will be held Sunday, Feb. 15, at 2:30 p.m., at the First Universalist Church in Franklin. The cafe is open to the public and is an informal gathering to discuss global warming and how to stop it.

For more information about the low-carbon diet, logon to www.350.org.

To sign up for news of future FACT events, e-mail FranklinAreaClimateTeam@yahoogroups.com

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

Northborough pursues wind power

"This could cut taxes, eliminate the electric bill of the regional high school, and decrease our dependence on the Middle East," said town resident Bob Giles, a retired engineer who has spearheaded support for the proposal. He said the turbine, once up and running, could save the town up to $600,000 annually.

.....

As Giles and selectmen move ahead with their plans, they are looking to Hull for guidance. Since 2001, the seaside community has set up two wind turbines that provide about 11 percent of Hull's electricity, according to Town Manager Philip Lemnios, and is looking to build four more turbines offshore, which could potentially meet 100 percent of the town's electricity needs.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe West edition here

Live reporting - Energy $ense - Part 2

Part 1 can be found here

The audio version of this section can be found here

brief interlude for the presentation switch

Fred introduces Matt

Matt Arner
SolarFlair Energy, Inc.
Hopkinton, MA

• Solar electricity
• solar hot water (mostly for domestic hot water use)

How does the system work?

1. The solar grid feeds the inverter (the brains of the system)
2. The inverter is tied to the breaker panel, just like another breaker with the exception that it provides power into the breaker panel (not drawing from like the normal breakers).
3. If you are generating more power than you need to use, you send the extra back out through the meter to the power company. Effectively turning back the meter.
4. Matt's home system is generating enough that it pays for 90% of the electricity they use.
   

How did Matt do it?

1. Bought and converted to energy efficiency appliances
2. converted more appliances
3. then installed hot water system
4. then installed solar system
5. almost 100% solar powered but over time, a five year plan

Matt's company uses local products (Marlboro and Lawrence)

How much does it cost?

• Payback: approx 7-8 years
• System life: 25 years

They partner with a local bank to provide no upfront cost (outside of the grants and tax credits).
So you could effectively pay the same amount for green solar as you would for your normal electrical monthly bill.

expecting to see an 8% increase in electric rates

For commercial installations

• Payback: 5 years
• Return on Investment: 14%

for solar electric you need a minimum of 4 hours of real direct sun daily
solar hot water becomes a good alternative if you don't have the south facing roof

They make the process easy. The permitting process can take up to 3 months, the actual installation takes 2-3 days.

For more information on SolarFlair Energy, Inc. please click through to their web site. It has additional information on the solar water heating, solar electricity and several photos of residential and commercial installations.

If you want to examine the potential for solar for your home, you can follow the steps to start here.

For commercial installations, you can follow the steps to start here.

Renewable Energy Installers

Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE) North East Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) Directory Information on Installers, Costs, and Locations Other Solar Resources

Disclaimer: The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) has not investigated, and expressly disclaims any duty to investigate, any company, product, service, process, procedure, design, or the like which may be presented on the aforementioned websites. The presentation of these website links does not constitute endorsement, warranty, or guaranty by MTC of any company, product, service, process, procedure, design, or the like. The entire risk of any information presented is assumed by the user.

Interested in wind or solar energy?

Thinking of installing a wind turbine
or solar array at your home or business? Come get all your questions answered!



Incentives for

• Residential & Commercial
• Solar and Wind Installations

Presenter:
Tyler Leeds, Project Manager, Green Building & Infrastructure
Mass Technology Collaborative

When:
Wednesday, December 10, 7:00 p.m.

Where:
Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main Street, Lower Level

Description:
Massachusetts has recently developed several incentives to spur the development of renewable energy, including Commonwealth Solar Rebates, Small Renewables Initiative, and Business Expansion Incentives.
Tyler Leeds will answer your questions and help you understand the basic economics of investing in renewable energy.

This Event is of Special Interest for:
Home Owners, Business Owners, Installers, Dealers, Contractors, Electricians and Architects

Sponsored by:
Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT)
Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Friends of the Franklin Library

Wind turbine or solar in your future?

Thinking of installing a wind turbine
or solar array at your home or business? Come get all your questions answered!



Incentives for

• Residential & Commercial
• Solar and Wind Installations

Presenter:
Tyler Leeds, Project Manager, Green Building & Infrastructure
Mass Technology Collaborative

When:
Wednesday, December 10, 7:00 p.m.

Where:
Franklin Public Library Community Room
118 Main Street, Lower Level

Description:
Massachusetts has recently developed several incentives to spur the development of renewable energy, including Commonwealth Solar Rebates, Small Renewables Initiative, and Business Expansion Incentives.
Tyler Leeds will answer your questions and help you understand the basic economics of investing in renewable energy.

This Event is of Special Interest for:
Home Owners, Business Owners, Installers, Dealers, Contractors, Electricians and Architects

Sponsored by:
Franklin Area Climate Team (FACT)
Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
Friends of the Franklin Library