NVDA offering free how-to guides for renewable energy systems

Northeastern Vermont Development Association is distributing free ‘How-To’ Guides for small scale renewable energy systems specifically written for installation in Vermont. The publications include helpful information about five specific energy technologies: solar electric and solar hot water; small scale wind; wood pellets and firewood; and geothermal ground source heat pumps.
Authored by Lyndon State College Professor Benjamin Luce, Ph.D., the integrated guides provide essential information about area natural resources, regional services, local providers, regulations, cost estimates, payback periods, and financial incentives for homes, farms and businesses. The guides contain diagrams and photos and are structured in a step-by-step format with short sections and appendices.
â ¢ How-to Go Solar in Vermont
â ¢ Powering Your Home or Business with a Small Wind Energy System in Vermont
â ¢ Heating Your Home or Business in Vermont with a Geothermal System
â ¢ Heating Your Home in Vermont with a Pellet Stove
â ¢ Heating your Home in Vermont with a Wood Stove
Dave Snedeker, NVDA Planning Manager, believes the documents will be particularly helpful for homeowners, farmers, and businesses that have considered implementing small-scale renewable energy systems, but may have been overwhelmed with all of the technical and financial research required. ‘Professor Luce did a great job making these guides comprehensive and easy to understand,’ said Snedeker. ‘Also, based on NVDA’s experience with its municipal energy efficiency audit program for town buildings in the NEK, I would highly recommend that anyone looking to install a small-scale renewable system first have an energy efficiency audit completed. There could be some significant and quick savings to be had by tightening up your building.’ he added.
Grant funding for the How-To Guides came from the Clean Energy Development Fund and Department of Energy. The Guides can be downloaded in PDF format from NVDA’s website www.nvda.net. Print copies are also available at the Northeastern Vermont Development Association, St. Johnsbury office at 36 Eastern Avenue (802) 748-5181 or the Newport office at 55 Seymour Lane (802) 334-5861.
Source: Northeastern Vermont Development Association, 5-10-2011