How Much Land Would it Take to Completely Power the United States with Solar Energy?
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CONSUMER CHOICES
» Mass Energy Consumers Alliance
Allows many Massachusetts grid customers to buy their electricity from clean energy sources. Choose from the all wind option, or the mix of renewables (wind, solar, low-impact hydro and anaerobic digester). Small extra charge per kwh, great benefits for the environment and energy grid reform!
» “Shave The Peak” Program
Free service to receive email or text alerts to voluntarily cut back electricity use during “peak” days, when utilities may need to draw on oil- or coal- fired power plants to meet unusually high demand. Small adjustments to air conditioning or household appliance use for a few hours can make a big difference, and help to green the grid.
Electric Cars & Global Warming
Emissions benefits of electric vehicles – by the numbers!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9m9WDxmSN8]
HOME SOLAR
» Shedding Light on Solar Power
By Josh Garskof, Consumer Reports, June 30, 2016
» The Real Cost of Leasing vs. Buying Solar Panels
Consumer Reports – June 30, 2016
» The Problem with Rooftop Solar That Nobody is Talking About
Mother Jones – January / February 2016
Info on why some rooftop companies retain rights to sell your RECs, and why that’s a bad idea.
» Seven Questions Before Installing Solar
http://players.brightcove.net/1078702682/2ab51b8c-6ce0-4c90-beb2-9a8912cc085e_default/index.html?videoId=4579483018001
from Consumer Reports
» How to Install a Solar System and Not Get Burned
Consumer Reports – June 2016
» Potential Health Impacts from Photovoltaics
MUNICIPAL UTILITY OPTIONS
» Hampshire Council of Governments Municipal Solar RFP
» Hampshire Council of Governments “Hampshire Solar” Program
» Clean Energy Collective – Community Solar programs
GRID SCALE OPTIONS
SOLAR
» Understanding Solar+Storage: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About Solar PV and Battery Storage, from the Clean Energy Group
WIND
» Commonwealth Wind Program
» Cape Wind
Home built VAWT
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dO2pBcMdC4]
Trial VAWT wind system for the Old Creamery
The sound you hear is the kitchen vent fan, not the turbine!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-wXa5SYd9k]
» “Catching the Wind: State actions needed to seize the golden opportunity of Altantic offshore wind power” – Report from the National Wildlife Federation
HYDRO
» State hydro power programs
» Pumped storage systems
» Marine & hydrokinetic systems
GEOTHERMAL
»Geothermal Heating and Cooling
» Ground Source Heat Pump grants
TIDAL POWER
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWcuuQWybWg]
GRID SCALE STORAGE OPTIONS
» A Battery to Prop Up Renewable Energy Hits the Market
DISTRIBUTED GENERATION
» Solarize Mass program
» Commonwealth Solar II program
Not sure of the different applications for solar energy?
» Mass EEA describes Passive Solar, Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal