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Appeal of solar energy begins to shine in PortNEWBURYPORT, Jun 14, 2012 (The Daily News of Newburyport - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Solar-power advocates hosted a Solar 101 meeting here this week, and the robust attendance suggested that there should be plenty of support for a planned Solar 201. Newburyport has been chosen to participate in the Solarize Massachusetts program, one of 17 communities in the state to be part of the initiative. Institutional partners are the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the state Department of Energy Resources. Organizers say the goal is to encourage city residents and businesses to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at a reduced cost through bulk purchasing. One of the key aspects of the program is explaining both the science and the economics to potential users. And there seems to be a willing student body here. Close to 110 residents attended a tutorial on solar energy Tuesday night in City Hall Auditorium, and another learning session is being planned. "We were very pleased with the attendance," said Jill Haley Murphy, who is the city's community "solar coach" or liaison with energy officials. "We'll be having another session in early July. "At that time, representatives from an installation company will be present to answer questions about costs." Members of the installation team will also serve as a resource to assess whether a residence or building can benefit from the installation of solar panels. Close to half of the structures in Newburyport would not be candidates because of a building's angle of exposure, size of roof or amount of shading, according to Andy Brydges, director of the renewable energy program at MassCEC, who provided a presentation at the session. Solar power is not generated by capturing and retaining heat but through a process of "solar PV array." Organizers say that when sunlight strikes the semiconductor material inside a solar cell, it frees electrons, which form an electric current in the cell. The process converts sunlight directly into electricity. The more intense the sunlight striking the cell, the greater the amount of electricity that is produced. Brydges said that Massachusetts, though characterized by many days of cold and/or cloudy weather, is fully capable of benefiting from solar energy. A solar PV system generally consists of an array of solar panels connected to a building's electrical system and/or the electrical grid. Or, systems can be used to heat air or water for a building's space and water heating needs. If a building cannot support solar energy systems, residents are still urged to support solar as a viable alternative energy. Brydges said. "If your house can't take an installation, another important role is encouraging the use of solar power and getting the word out to friends and neighbors." Organizers said communication is a key factor in the success of the program, dubbed Solarize Newburyport. They are attempting to develop a coordinated community education and outreach effort that is headed by a partnership of municipal leaders, grass-roots volunteers and a selected solar PV installer. At the next meeting, organizers plan to explain a tiered-pricing structure that provides increased savings as more people in the community contract for solar PV. The date of such a session has not been finalized, but it will include representatives of SunBug Solar, a Somerville installation company that has already been chosen as the provider for Newburyport. Solarize Newburyport officials say that having a vetted installer on hand means that residents would not have to find capable technicians on their own. ___ (c)2012 The Daily News of Newburyport (Newburyport, Mass.) Visit The Daily News of Newburyport (Newburyport, Mass.) at www.newburyportnews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |