News From ReVision Energy

ReVision Energy will be launching their own newsletter this year, so we bid them a fond farewell from Green Tidings! As soon as I have the details for how you can subscribe to their newsletter, I'll share them. In the meantime, you can keep up with ReVision through their blog at http://www.revisionenergy.com/blog/

News From ReVision Energy

Here's the news from ReVision Energy, our renewable energy partner:

ReVision Energy has done some recent installations worth noting. One was for a new Portland home through the Habitat for Humanity organization. The project was a solar hot water installation matched with a high efficiency gas boiler. ReVision Energy and its purveyors provided the Habitat project with parts and materials. The staff from ReVision Energy took time out of one of their weekends to volunteer the work needed to install these systems. The project is to provide the new homeowners with long term energy savings. You can view more about this project by clicking here:

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=96043&catid=2

ReVision Energy also recently completed an installation through York County Shelters in Alfred, Maine. The York County Shelters is a living facility for the homeless. This new construction is the first of its kind for homeless shelters in Maine to integrate the cost of renewable energy systems into its building designs. The additional upfront costs are justified as these systems will offer long term savings on their energy usage. The York County Shelters is utilizing a high efficiency gasification wood boiler with thermal storage tank, solar hot water collectors, and a 4kW solar electric system. To read more, click here:

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=224603&ac=PHnws

December 13^th, I will give a presentation entitled Introduction to Active Solar at the Shelter Institute in Woolwich. The class is free, but space is limited, so pre-registering is suggested. Please click here for more information: http://www.shelterinstitute.com/ActiveSolar.htm

We hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. We would like to remind everyone that we do work throughout the winter. We are able to do indoor work when the weather conditions are poor and save the roof work for when the weather is more favorable. We are still running a half off special on our site evaluations from now until the New Year. Our site evaluations allow us to design and propose a renewable energy system to integrate into what you have now. If you move forward with a job, 100% of your deposit goes towards it.

As always, please call ReVision Energy at 221-6342 with any questions you may have. We would be more than happy to help you find a long term solution to your energy saving needs.

- Jen

News From ReVision Energy

ReVision Energy is promoting 1/2 price site evaluations from now until the New Year! Our $300 site evaluation fee has been reduced to $150. We are trying to help get energy efficient systems to all Maine homeowners. If you would like to talk about a site evaluation for your home, what that entails, or just talk to us about the potential of a solar hot water, solar electric, or high efficiency wood boiler system we would love to have that opportunity. Please call 221-6342 or email jen@revisionenergy.com

Events coming up~

The GoGreen Expo will be in Topsham, Saturday November 8^th from 10-4pm. The event will be held at the Mt. Ararat High School gymnasium. The event is free and open to the public. John Capron, one of our experienced solar technicians, will be presenting at 1 pm. He will be talking about renewable energy options for your home and business. For more information, please visit the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber: http://www.midcoastmaine.com/template.php?cID=90

Saturday, November 22 we are going to be at LL Bean in Freeport. LL Bean is gearing up for the holidays and is going to have many things going on, crafts for kids, ice carvings, gingerbread characters, and ReVision Energy will be there talking about efficient heating systems for your home from 10-4 pm that day. I will be there talking about solar hot water and solar electricity. Lee Landry, one of our wood boiler experts, from our Liberty shop will be there all day talking about wood boilers. He’ll be bringing a wood boiler with him to have on site. This is a great opportunity to learn about wood boilers, how efficient they are, and whether you are the right candidate to have one in your home.

Saturday, December 13^th at 9:30 am. The Shelter Institute will be hosting a free class called Intro to Active Solar. I will be presenting solar energy options for your home. The class is free but space is limited so they suggest you call or email to sign up. Please follow the link below for more info: http://www.shelterinstitute.com/ActiveSolar.htm.

News From ReVision Energy

ReVision Energy has been in the news. Pat Coon speaks with NPR about the growing rate of employment opportunity within the renewable energy industry. You can listen to his interview to hear what he has to say about how this industry is growing and how help from the state can improve it.

http://www.mpbn.net/asx/080909greenjobs.asx

ReVision Energy had the opportunity to work with Kaplan Thomson Architects and a handful of other design companies to construct an office studio in Rockport, Maine. This office studio was a demonstrative project called BrightBuilt Barn. The goal is to use the building techniques used in BrightBuilt Barn to create reasonably priced, easy to assemble homes that use a fraction of the energy of conventional homes. You can view more about this project in the two links below.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=209134&ac=PHbiz

www.brightbuiltbarn.com

Solar Tour

Don’t forget this October 4^th is the American Solar Energy Society’s National Green Buildings Open House. This event is a wonderful opportunity to view homes and businesses that have solar installations in place and to talk to the homeowners who are living with them. This event is open house style; you are welcome to view any of the homes during their available hours at your leisure. To find a participating home close to you please look on our website www.revisionenergy.com

Other Events Coming Up:

The Maine Biz Symposium ~ Maine Biz will be hosting a Symposium called Powering Up Maine: How Businesses are Coping with Rising Energy Costs & Demands. This is a half day event to help businesses learn about choices and resources for coping with energy costs and demands.

http://www.mainebiz.biz/symposium08.html

Go Green Expo in Topsham ~ The Southern Maine Midcoast Chamber is hosting its second annual Go Green Expo at Mt. Ararat High school in Topsham, Maine. The event will be November 8 from 10-4pm. ReVision Energy will be there and will be presenting, time not yet confirmed. We hope to see you there!

http://www.midcoastmaine.com/chamber-info/release.php?nID=322

News from ReVision Energy

An update on the State Rebate Program:

When the state abruptly suspended its solar hot water rebate program on June 20^th because Mainers had consumed all 2008 rebate funds in just six months, there were a large number of applicants in the pipeline who thought for sure they would be getting a rebate. Rather than turn these applications away, the state has decided to distribute 2009’s rebate money. As it stands now there is no rebate available for solar hot water until 2010. You might be able to help us fix this problem by contacting your state legislators to let them know that Mainers believe renewable energy rebate funding should be a priority.

http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_officials.php »

Investing in renewable energy is a win for everyone: lower fossil fuel costs, lower emissions and less money flowing out of Maine. Almost every penny that our great state spends fossil fuels flows somewhere else when it could be supporting the local growth of renewable energy jobs and industry here in Maine.

So you still want to find a way to get the system you wanted, right?! That’s what we thought, which brings us to the subject of financing. Bangor Savings Bank (www.bangor.com) is currently offering loans as low as 6.75% for renewable energy systems. A home equity loan from your local bank is another great way to finance an energy efficiency upgrade—typically the energy savings from a system will be enough to cover the loan payment.

The good rebate news is that there will be a $100,000 pool of lottery rebates for grid-tied solar electric systems. Applications can be submitted starting December 1^st this year. Those who are awarded the rebate will receive $2,000 toward the installation of a solar electric system, which must be commissioned in 2009. We can help you apply for a PV lottery rebate. Please call 221-6342 or email jen@revisionenergy.com and we’ll get the ball rolling.

Other ReVision Happenings:

It’s still summer, but most Mainers are thinking heating season. At ReVision Energy we have wood and wood pellet boilers in stock and ready to go. Please call us to see if a wood boiler is something that may be of interest to you. We have also updated our website. You can view a lot of information online. Please go to www.RevisionEnergy.com.

Mark your calenders this fall.

• September 13-14^th is the Go Green Expo in Saco.
• October 4^th is the Solar Tour held by the National Solar Energy Association, and
• November 8^th is the Go Green Expo in Topsham.

We’ll keep you updated.

Be Well,

ReVision Energy LLC

News from ReVision Energy for July

On Friday, June 20 we were informed that the Maine State Solar Rebate has been suspended for the rest of the year due to the overwhelming interest in solar hot water systems by Maine residents. Simply put, the rebates have been gobbled up.

The good news is that they have been used up because this was a successful program and helped to encourage hundreds of people to venture towards alternative energy systems. The continual rise in fuel prices and the growing awareness of the environmental and geopolitical challenges of our dependence on fossil fuels is starting to make people look for steadfast alternatives. Solar energy systems are just that.

As the state rebates are running out, however, good loan programs are popping up. Financing an energy saving investment like a solar hot water or solar electric system, especially when done at below market rates, can result in a ‘payback’ in the very first year as your savings more than pay for your loan payments (not to mention the $2k you’ll get back on your taxes next year if you act soon).

Financing Options:

There are loans that may be available to help you finance an installation. One option, offered through the Maine State Housing Authority, is called the H.E.L.P. loan, or home energy loan program. This loan can be applied for up to $30,000 with a 3.9% interest rate for home improvements that increase the home’s energy efficiency, including solar hot water installations. Here is a link to H.E.L.P. loan info: http://www.mainehousing.org/PROGRAMSHelp.aspx?ProgramID=32

A home equity loan can be another way to fund your installation. In our experience, the monthly fuel savings from a solar hot water system and boiler control improvements can often exceed the monthly payments of a home equity loan, thereby making the investment ‘cash flow positive’ from the moment the solar hot water system is commissioned. We recommend that you contact your mortgage-holding bank to see what rates might be available. ReVision Energy has also been notified that Bangor Savings Bank is developing a targeted loan program to help homeowners fund home efficiency upgrades including solar hot water installations.

Like many of you, we wish the state rebate had not run out before summer even began. We encourage you to contact your elected officials and let them know that you think the rebate program is helpful to Mainers looking to offset their energy bills and that you want to see it re-instated as soon as possible. Follow the link below to find your elected officials:

http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_officials.php

At ReVision Energy we are here to help you find a system that makes sense for you. Please view our website to learn more about the installations we provide: solar hot water, solar electric systems, as well as wood or wood pellet boilers. Call us at 221-6342 to see if you have a good home for one of these systems.

Happy 4^th of July to everyone – and wishing a safe return to all the men and women in service and away from home.

News from ReVision Energy

Jen Hatch from ReVision Energy (formerly Energyworks) writes,

ReVision Energy designs and installs solar hot water and solar electric systems, but did you know that we also install wood and wood pellet boilers? The cost for home heating is becoming an increasing concern and many homeowners are searching for alternative fuels to protect themselves from the rising price of oil. Please check out the section on wood boilers on our web site as this may be a solution to your heating needs.

http://www.revisionenergy.com/woodboilers.html »

Please call us with any questions here at ReVision Energy at 221-6342. We are always available to discuss your home energy use and offer you advice on ways to increase your home's efficiency.

News from ReVision Energy

Jen Hatch from ReVision Energy (formerly Energyworks) writes,

Please support Brunswick High School in their efforts to green up. They are going to be hosting a 5K road race, Saturday, May 24 at 9am. The event is called Run for the Sun and all proceeds will go towards a fund setup for student-led sustainability initiatives at Brunswick High School. Follow the link below for more information:

http://www.brunswick.k12.me.us/bhs/academics/service_learning/run_sun/index.htm

We will be attending the Smart Energy Expo in Kennebunk Saturday May 10, from 12-5pm. This will be held at the held at the Kennebunk High School. The Kennebunk High School Interact Club, the Class of 2009, freshman science students, the Energy Advisory Team from M.S.A.D. 71, and the Kennebunk Rotary are putting the event together in cooperation with Maine Partners for Cool Communities.

We are also attending Maine's Home & Lifestyle Expo which will be May 17 and 18 at the Knox Mill Complex on Washington and Mechanic Street in Camden.

Hope to see you at some of our many events this summer! As always, please call our office to find out how we could put renewable energy to work for you, 221-6342.

Be well,
Jen

News from ReVision Energy

Pat Coon of the newly-named ReVision Energy writes,

I've got a couple of things I'd like to get out to the world of energy aware citizens:

1. Brite Built Barn. This is a net zero building we've been working on that has a cool blog and tracks a neat project. We'll share more info on this project next time...

2. Adam Cote is running for the first district's seat. He has worked in renewable energy and seems like an excellent candidate. I'd like to get out the word about his candidacy.

3. Here's a link to a green build course put on by Waterfall Arts in Belfast. It should be really good. Check it out here.

Jen Hatch from ReVision Energy's Portland office writes,

Happy Spring to all!

April showers bring May flowers . . . and an abundance of trade show events that we will be attending!

Coming up:

MidCoast Sustainable Energy Expo at the Central Lincoln County YMCA in Damariscotta
Friday, April 18^th from 12-6pm
Saturday, April 19^th, from 9-4pm
For more information email: midcoastgreencollaborative@gmail.com

The Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset presents a Sustainable Energy Conference on April 26^th from 9-5pm. If you have questions regarding the conference, please feel free to contact: pathways@chewonki.org

May 10^th – Smart Energy Expo 12-5pm at the Kennebunk High School
Sponsored by the Maine Partners for Cool Communities
For information contact Jennifer Niese at: turnstone@gwi.net

May 16^th – MEBSR Conference at the Abromson Center, USM from 8 -5:30pm
What is sustainable business and how can your company benefit from incorporating it into your business operations? Come hear the compelling experiences of business large and small as their behind-the-scenes strategies, stories, and bottom line profits are presented from a variety of angles.
We invite all businesses and individuals, members or not, to join us on May 16th at the USM Abromson Center in Portland, for this inspiring gathering in a casual atmosphere to gail tools and skills for building a vibrant and rewarding future for Maine businesses.
MEBSR is a network of Maine businesses working together to achieve sustainable business success. Join today and become part of a business community focused on integrating people, planet and profit.
Contact Sanna McKim for more information: 338-8908

Hope to see you at one of these events! As always, please call our office to find out how we could put renewable energy to work for you, 221-6342.

Be well,
Jen

News from ReVision Energy

Jen Hatch of the newly-named ReVision Energy writes,

In like a Lion
March is nearly here, and spring is almost amongst us. I happen to love the winter but I can image that many are looking forward to transition from this particularly snowy season.

The snow has not slowed us down this winter; in fact I think people's increased concern for alternative solutions to their rising energy bills has given rise to the awareness of solar. We have been fortunate to work with many homeowners to reduce their energy bills by supplementing that source with solar energy.

As summer is not too far off the horizon we continue to stress the benefits of solar energy. If you are a homeowner who is burning oil or gas during the months between May to October, where there is little to no call for heat, you may be interested to know that a solar hot water system will turn that furnace off, and keep it off, unless of course there is a particularly high demand for hot water, or if there is an extended period of time without sun. Think about how much oil or gas you use during those months, and you can think of that as a start to your savings.

Did you know that if you are a commercial business the state will pay for 35% of your solar hot water system, capped at $10,500? We recently held a seminar geared for restaurant businesses, as we feel that restaurants, with their continuous and extensive usage of hot water, are excellent candidates for a solar energy system. Any business that wishes to find out how a solar application can benefit them should contact our office. The state rebate is incredibly favorable at this time for commercial systems.

Not only is there a state incentive, there is also an incentive on the federal level, 30% uncapped of the remaining cost of the system. With these rebates the payback is hard to beat.

ReVision Energy recently worked with WPXT-TV and Efficiency Maine as part of the 'Green Team' that helped to give the Wright family in Falmouth a home efficiency makeover. Jed Wright was selected out of 100 nominees for the first ever green make over show provided by WPXT-TV. ReVision Energy provided the labor and materials for the solar hot water installation. You can view an article that ran in the Press Herald at the link provided below:

Going Green In More Ways Than One

And last, but certainly not least, we are pleased to tell you that we have finished the Yarmouth High School solar photovoltaic installation. This summer students from the Yarmouth High school worked on writing a grant provided by the public utilities commission for a demonstrative solar electric system to be installed on the roof of their school. The proposal not only included panels for the roof but also a data monitoring system that will track what the panels are doing and will be able to be read and utilized in the classroom.

The students demonstrated that a solar electric system benefits not only the school but the community as a whole. They were awarded the grant money last fall and were recognized by the governor for their ambition and hard work. The forecaster has been keeping tabs on this project, this is their most recent story highlighting the installation.

Sun shines on Yarmouth High solar project

As always, please call our office to find out how a solar application may benefit you, 221-6342.

Be well,
Jen