Lakes Region Community Services
Solar Energy Raiser August 6th
– Solar Energy Information Session Open to the Public
Tuesday, August 6th 1:30pm- Please RSVP for Directions
Plymouth: Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS) is working with the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) to install two solar thermal collectors on one of their residential buildings in Plymouth. This building is home to four individuals who receive LRCS services from a team of full time staff.
The roof mounted solar thermal evacuated tube system will heat the building’s water used for bathing, dishwashing and house cleaning. According to Dave Emond, LRCS Director of Operations, “Over four years ago, we began focusing on how we could improve the energy efficiency of this building. At that time we signed up for the Home Performance with Energy Star Program and more recently tackled additional air sealing and insulating projects. Now, we are excited to add a solar energy system reducing the building’s energy consumption even further.”
The installation will be conducted as a Community Solar Energy Raiser by the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative. Prior to the Energy Raiser the solar water storage tank, designed to pre-heat the building’s current water heating system, will be installed by BTD Mechanical Contracting. PAREI volunteers will congregate on Tuesday, August 6th to complete the solar installation.
On the same day the Solar Energy Raiser is taking place (Tuesday, August 6th), organizers will conduct a solar information session at 1:30pm for the public interested in learning more about heating water or making electricity with solar energy.
If you are interested in attending the information session and for directions, please RSVP to Sandra Jones by 8:00am Tuesday August 6th, Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative, 79 Highland Street Plymouth, NH (603) 536-5030 sandra@plymouthenergy.org
This project is receiving financial support through NH Public Utilities and NH Electric Cooperative’s Solar Thermal Incentive Program as well as Plymouth Better Buildings, private donations and the 3M Foundation. The 3M Foundation, with a facility located in Tilton, annually supports PAREI’s mission with a grant that is targeted toward one of their goals. According to Sandra Jones, PAREI Co- Founder, “This year’s 3M grant was awarded to PAREI to defray the cost of a solar energy installation on buildings owned by two different non-profit organizations. PAREI believes there is no better location to focus our energy than a non-profit facility. We fulfill our mission to acquaint a new group of people with the benefits of solar energy AND the non-profit facility furthers their goal to reduce their energy footprint while reducing operating costs.” “It’s a Win- Win – Win on many fronts. “ said Peter Adams, Co-Founder. “When PAREI coordinates a solar installation on a fellow non-profit organization, it’s as though they get a grant once a year for the next 25 years. A system this size will save the facility over $1000 a year in energy bills.”
Gary Lemay, a long time board member of Lake Region Community Services has been a member of PAREI for many years and has installed solar energy systems on his own home. Seeing first-hand the positive results of solar energy led Lemay to recommend this project to LRCS. “Having two solar water heating collectors on the roof of our residential facility here in Plymouth will reduce the facilities operating costs and provide an excellent example for the community that solar energy is a viable source of clean reliable energy.”
Lakes Region Community Services is a nonprofit, comprehensive family support agency with a primary focus of providing supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and/or acquired brain disorders and their families. A dynamic human services organization, LRCS offers other essential and critical services to individuals in the Lakes Region from birth through a lifespan. At the core of LRCS’ work are inclusion, acceptance, and building strengths and partnerships – whether at the individual, family or community level.
LRCS has offices in Laconia and Plymouth which combine to serve families residing throughout Belknap and Southern Grafton Counties. To learn more about the Lakes Region Community Services contact Joanne Piper Lang at 603-524-8891 or visit www.lrcs.org.
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