New Boston Solar Map Unveiled

Yesterday, Mayor Walsh launched Solar SystemTM Boston, a new map which enables homeowners and businesses to quickly and easily understand their roof’s solar potential and installation cost estimates. With over 12 MW of solar PV installed in Boston producing roughly enough power to supply 2,000 homes, the new solar map is one more tool to accelerate the adoption of solar and help Boston meet its goal of installing 25 MW of solar by 2020.

“Going solar is increasingly an attractive option for Boston homes and businesses,” said Mayor Walsh. “With solar prices plummeting, and Massachusetts having some of the best incentives in the country, this map will introduce the benefits of solar to a broader audience.”

Solar SystemTM Boston is a partnership with Mapdwell®, a Boston-based  M.I.T. spin-off that looks to advance collective sustainability through information, education, and choice architecture, to provide accurate and accessible information about going solar. The tool has mapped all 127,000 buildings in Boston for their solar potential and found that Boston has a potential for 2.2 GW (gigawatts) of solar power. While there are barriers to putting solar PV on every building with good sun access such as roof age and financing constraints, this map confirms the significant potential for solar to expand rapidly in Boston as installation prices continue to drop.

“The City of Boston prides itself on using data and innovative mapping technology to have a positive impact ,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston. “Solar SystemTM Boston will make it easier for residents to take action to increase the use of sustainable energy in the City.”

Boston Races to Solar

In April, Mayor Walsh launched the Race to Solar, a program for local non-profits and small businesses to increase the adoption of solar power installations and energy efficiency measures. Race to Solar is a partnership with Renew Boston, NStar, National Grid, and Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) to promote energy efficiency upgrades and make solar power more affordable and accessible for non-profits, including houses of worship and schools, and small businesses that own their buildings.

Through the Race to Solar, organizations will be able to take advantage of a competitively priced option for installing solar power. To participate, non-profits and small businesses must own their buildings, have suitable site conditions for a solar installation, and be in good financial standing.  The goal of Race to Solar is to promote and facilitate the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy systems on the buildings of 40 local non-profit organizations, adding approximately 1 megawatt of clean, renewable electric power capacity to Boston and Cambridge.  SunBug Solar was selected as the solar installer.  

To learn more about the Race to Solar and speak directly with program providers, please attend an upcoming technical workshop:

• Wednesday, April 30th, 10am to 12pm, Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344, Broadway, Cambridge
• Thursday, May 1st, 6pm to 8pm, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 239 Harvard Street, Cambridge
• Thursday, May 15th, 6pm to 8pm, Curtis Hall, 20 South Street, Jamaica Plain
• Tuesday, May 20th, 6pm to 8pm, Carpenter’s Center, 750 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester

New Perspectives: 3 Organizations that Have Seen the Light

image courtesy of blog.ucsusa.org

As the cost of photovoltaic technologies have decreased, more and more organizations and residents are investing in the future. While some countries are experiencing cuts to subsidies in regards to locales, such as the European Union's cut from open field arrays, other locations are being able to flourish without them. In the Boston area, some organizations are pushing for a cleaner and renewable form of power as they mount panels to become energy efficient establishments. It is from this cue that others may follow in order to keep with the standards of competition.

1. Boston Scientific - In April of 2013, Boston Scientific Corporation unveiled the roof-top marvel of 3,900 solar arrays to produce roughly 1.7 megawatts of power. The solar array is able to sustain approximately 25-perfect of the facilities power needs thus decreasing its independence of the power using the traditional grid. The medical device manufacturer is now benefiting from currently the third largest roof-top photovoltaic system in Massachusetts. The project is estimated to produce enough to power 145 homes annually.

2. IKEA - In Stoughton, the furniture giant IKEA stepped up and completed its 38th U.S.- based project of converting its locations into power-producing structures. This latest addition is estimated to generate enough to supply power to 94 homes annually. As IKEA has always been a supporter of eco-friendly products and techniques, it is no surprise that this company would produce an amazing feat such as this. Each installation developed by IKEA is owned and operated by the company itself without the use of a third-party lease or financing. The company proves that corporations can be responsible for the economy and communities they belong to in order to promote an improved way of living.

3. First Wind - Although responsible for nearly 1 gigawatt of power stretched across several states from wind turbines, First Wind is also starting to invest in opportunities for solar power methods. Although based in Boston, the company's wind turbine projects are located in New England, Washington, Utah, and Hawaii - which is where First Wind is rumored to be looking for solar expansion of its projects. Currently, the company does not produce power in any fashion within the State of Massachusetts. However, this could change as popularity and reduced costs are fueling the market since mid 2012.

Solar power is the most abundant energy sources publicly known. Every day that the human species wastes without the use of solar arrays is another day longer that we'll have to wait for a method of complete self-sustainability. If manufacturers can continue to reduce the cost of producing photovoltaic technologies, those who can afford the installation may do so in mass quantities.

Author Bio:
Ken holds a master’s in business leadership from Upper Iowa University and multiple bachelor degrees from Grand View College.  As president of  morningsidenannies.com, Ken’s focus is helping Houston-based parents find the right childcare provider for their family. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his three children and his wife.

Guest Post: Heating Water with Solar Thermal Energy Systems

image courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/gnuckx/

Solar thermal energy systems are used to harvest energy from the sun to use for heating water. Radiation from the sun is absorbed by the water through the use of solar collectors. Solar thermal systems are used in commercial and residential applications, where they are used for hot water supply in bathrooms, laundries, kitchens and process heating applications.

The Solar Collector: The solar collector is comprised of solar cells with water tubes underneath, that are used to absorb the sun's heat into the water. The water is warmed through the collector, flows through a solar controller, and into an insulated storage tank for future use.

The Solar Controller: The solar controller’s job is to measure the temperature of the water after the collector area and inside the storage tank. If the water temperature inside the storage tank is low, the controller sends a signal to a pump to turn it on. The pump then circulates hot water from the collectors into the storage tank.

The Storage Tank: The storage tank in has two to three inches of foam insulation surrounding it. This foam insulation can keep the water inside the tank at a high temperature for up to three days without requiring additional solar energy. For added back-up, some storage tanks incorporate an electrical heating element that can heat the water if the sun’s energy is not available due to cloudy conditions.


Advantages of Solar Thermal Energy: Solar thermal water heating costs close to nothing to operate once the system is installed. It is environmentally friendly, requires virtually no maintenance, and is four to five times more energy efficient than solar photovoltaic systems at a fraction of the cost for installation. Having a solar thermal energy system with a backup electrical heating element means you will never have to worry about
having hot water available.

Mauro Small writes for Go Green Academy, an information website on topics related to energy efficiency, climate change and sustainability.

Solarizing Mass Communities

All across Massachusetts, homeowners and business owners are making the decision to install solar PV systems. Many of these projects are sponsored by programs like Solarize Mass and Renew Boston as part of Governor Patrick's goal to have 250 MW of solar PV installed by 2017.

A great way to learn about these projects and to learn about upcoming educational events is by subscribing to the Solarize Mass newsletter. Sign up here. Since Solarize Mass is a program of Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the newsletter is also a great way to learn about other clean-energy happenings (like wind and biogas projects). 

Energy Week Boston

Did you know that we are smack in the middle of Energy Week?!

Celebrate by being extra conservative this week: unplug electronics when not in use, read a book instead of watching tv, take cooler showers, use fans instead of AC, ride a bike instead of taking the T or a car.

And think about attending one of these upcoming Energy Week events:

Wednesday, June 13

6:00-8:30 PM- Northeastern University, West Village 23F Room 20, showing of the film Gasland. Tickets for the screening are $4 and an advance RSVP is required. RSVP, directions, and details can be found at Gaslandboston.eventbrite.com, or by emailing erin@massenergy.org.

Thursday, June 14

9:30 AM-1:00 PM- Citizens clean energy lobby day at the State House.  No experience lobbying your elected officials is required!  For more information, please e-mail lord.ma@husky.neu.edu

Friday, June 15- Global Wind Day!

Theatrical premiere of Cape Spin: An American Power Struggle at the Coolidge Corner theater. Tickets are $10.

Saturday, June 16

6:00- 8:30 PM- Tour the wind turbine at I.B.E.W Local 103 (alongside I-93) and stay for a screening of the coal documentary Dirty Business with guest speaker and anti-coal activist State Rep. Lori Ehrlich!  Wind turbine tour and reception will be held from 6:00-6:30 followed by remarks by Rep. Ehrlich and the film screening. Tickets for the screening are $4 and an advance RSVP is required. RSVP, directions, and details can be found atDirtybusinessboston.eventbrite.com, or by emailing erin@massenergy.org.

ENERGY WEEK PREVIEW EVENT!

Even before Energy Week Boston kicks off, we have a “preview” event to wet your appetite.  See below for details.

Saturday, June 2

Celebrate with Co-op Power Boston Metro East at the Energy Efficiency Crew Launch Party on Saturday, June 2 at 2pm on the Lawn at Second Church in Dorchester, corner of Washington St & Talbot Ave, Codman Square, Dorchester, MA with music, food, tour of a “green” home, and prizes.

The Crew provides insulation, weatherization, air sealing to homes in the Greater Boston area. Co-op Power is a consumer-owned co-operative that uses its capital and market power to build good green jobs and community-based green businesses for the benefit of the community at-large.

Please RSVP or send questions to olive@cooppower.coop or 617-282-8881.  

Learning About Renewable Energy at the Museum of Science

This weekend I visited the Museum of Science. I go every few months to see special exhibits like last winter's Pompeii, but it has been a long time since I toured the permanent gallery halls. Obviously, I was thrilled to find a rather large display on renewable energy options in the United States. The exhibit was interactive, kid friendly, and very informative. Definitely check it out next time you're at the MOS!

Green Joke of the Day

Q: What do you call a solar energy spill?



                                                                                                                                  A: A beautiful day!

'Green Monster' Gets a New Meaning

I've been reading recaps of last week's NESEA Building Energy 12 Conference, and I was excited when I read about a presentation that described the use of solar at Fenway Park!

image courtesy of blog.travelpod.com

According to one of my favorite local blogs, Green Lifestyle Consulting, Fenway has solar thermal collectors for their hot water system. This system provides hot water for all of the park's winter events. Even when its not baseball season, the park is home to many of our city's greatest activities!

solar system at Fenway. Image courtesey of GreenLifestyleConsulting.com

Sustainable Street Meat?!

Yes.....AMAZING... I am constantly inspired by green innovations, especially ones that affect people's everyday lives. I just found a video on Global Post about a project that allows Mexican street vendors to use solar power to cook their food! So awesome. Whats even better is that the title of the video is called "Solar Tacos" hahaha Yum!