In This Issue
	Organization for the Assabet River Clean-up Day More PV Systems The Bolton Fair Our First Marlborough PV Project 100kW Turbine Project Started in Charlton, MA 6kW Turbine in Berlin to Start Producing Power How Many Solar Panels Fit in a Prius?

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Dear Reader,

The Energy Miser #23 October 7, 2008 A lot has happened since our last newsletter, here is an update. First and foremost, with the huge federal bailout recently passed by the House, Senate, and signed by the President, the tax benefits for solar and wind systems changed. For the first time, you can get a $4,000 federal tax credit for installing a wind energy system. On the solar side, the $2,000 cap on the 30% tax credit has been removed. This applies to both solar electric and solar hot water systems. Of course, these benefits only apply if you pay taxes :-). These new rules take effect on January 1, 2009. Since both Bill and I are engineers, to determine your eligibility, please check with your tax professional. - Mark Read all past issues of The Energy Miser here.

Organization for the Assabet River Clean-up Day

Since our last newsletter, New England Breeze has become a sponsor of The Organization for the Assabet River And, as we do ever year, my son Russell and I participated in the annual river clean-up. The good news is that over the years we've been taking less and less trash out of the river. Not because we are getting lazy :-), on the contrary, it's because the clean-up is "catching up" on all the years of mistreatment.

More PV Systems

Here is our first Hudson PV system. This system consists of 12 Evergreen 190 watt solar panels and a Solectria PVI-4000 inverter. The inverter is sized for future expansion and the panel layout is too. Notice that there is room for two more rows of horizontal panels below the skylights (The skylights made for an interesting design and installation challenge). The homeowners have been working hard to reduce their electricity usage (and carbon footprint) by converting over to compact fluorescent light bulbs, an Energy Star refrigerator, and a number of other energy saving improvements. The next step for them was a solar electric system.

The Bolton Fair

It wasn't a complete washout, but we started calling it the Bolton Mudfest. Yes, on Saturday and Sunday September 27 and 28, Bill and I staffed a tent at the Bolton Fair. Our tent was adjacent to the Bolton Energy Committee tent. Despite the heavy rains on Saturday, many people stopped by to learn about renewable energy. Sunday the sky cleared, the solar panel (in the picture) got up to full power, and then the crowds showed up.

Our First Marlborough PV Project

Mike and Kelly Barth of Marlborough are now the proud owners of a 2.85kW PV system. As is often the case, their house faced the wrong way. But, as you can see, the solution is relatively simple - tip the panels south. For now, this system will offset approximately half of their electricity usage but Mike and Kelly are hunting down all their energy wasters. (click on image for larger photo) The technical details, 15 Evergreen 190 watt solar modules and a Solectria PVI-3000 inverter.

100kW Turbine Project Started in Charlton, MA

Nature's Classroom, based in Charlton, MA is installing a 100kW wind turbine. New England Breeze is the general contractor. We are installing a Northwind 100 - made in Vermont! The Northwind 100 has a 21 meter diameter rotor (about 69 feet). The turbine will go up on a 121 foot tower. I'd show you a picture of the site, but right now it's just a big hole in the ground. The great news is that tomorrow the concrete work starts. I'll publish photos as the project moves forward.

6kW Turbine in Berlin to Start Producing Power

Some time this week, an Eoltec Scirocco will go live in Berlin, MA. The Scirocco is a 6kW, two-blade turbine. The rotor is about 18 feet in diameter. It sits on a 127-foot guy-wire supported, tilt-up tower. We anticipate the machine to make anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 kilowatt-hours in a year. You can see the turbine from Route 495. Going south, look left (east) just after the Route 62 entrance (exit 26). Going north, look right about one mile north of Route 290. You can also see it if traveling northbound on Gates Pond Road. Look left when you get to the red barn at ADDA farm. If you are considering installing a machine and would like a personal tour, please call the office at 978-567-9463.

How Many Solar Panels Fit in a Prius?

Seven. We use our Priuses (or is that Pri-i) like trucks. Here is a shot of 7 panels loaded for an installation project.

Disable your doorbell, reduce waste, use a fan instead of an air conditioner, turn off the lights, switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, put computer gear on a power strip and turn it off at night, unplug unnecessary appliances, ventilate your attic, take shorter showers, walk instead of drive, ride a bike, group your errands, inflate your tires, grow your own food, eat locally-produced food, recycle, use your most efficient vehicle, get a hybrid vehicle, wash your clothes in cold water, buy less packaging, use a clothesline instead of the dryer, drink tap water, print with narrower margins, use both sides of the page, buy less, compost, install a renewable energy system...

Thanks for Reading the Energy Miser,

Mark Durrenberger

New England Breeze, LLC

phone: 978-567-WIND (9463)

web: http://www.newenglandbreeze.com