Impact & Results

Solarize Campaigns – 2019 & 2020

The 2019 “Solarize” campaign supported by the Hub took place in Peterborough and the surrounding towns of Sharon, Hancock, Rindge, and Fitzwilliam.  The time was ripe to put energy into promoting residential solar arrays in the region; the price of solar had never been lower and the 30% solar tax credit was about to decrease.

At least  18 volunteers in the various towns devoted their hours to organizing and readying their communities for the campaign.    At least 38  solar arrays were installed on buildings throughout the five towns.   As a direct result, every year,  352,000 lbs of potential CO₂ generation will be offset and replaced by clean, renewable, local energy!

The 2020 “Solarize” campaign begun in Keene and Marlborough has been moved online due to Covid-19.  During this time of uncertainty, our “Solarize” team continues to educate the public on the cost-competitive benefits of installing going solar.  Though we do not expect many solar installations to happen right now, we are getting the word out, answering questions and laying the groundwork for informed solar decisions when the current crisis is behind.

Partnership with Monadnock Food Co-op

In 2016, we partnered with the Monadnock Food Co-op to complete the first Community Supported Solar Project in New Hampshire. This project provided local funding for a solar array on top of the Food Coop’s storefront.  Investors put up the required capital and the Monadnock Food Coop signed a contract to purchase the generated electricity and then purchase the array at a reduced price after 6 years.  The investors are able to retrieve their investment back through tax credits and depreciation.   The investors, the Coop, and the local community all win with this project!

So far these solar panel arrays have offset almost 315,000 lbs. of CO₂ into the Monadnock Region by providing clean energy directly to the Coop offsetting the traditional energy mix supplied by the utility.