BRATTLEBORO — Homeowners, landlords, small business owners, and other residents looking for ways to cut rising energy bills are invited to a free solar workshop presented by Brattleboro Climate Protection and Co-op Power. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Marlboro College Graduate Center, 28 Vernon St.
Workshop attendees will learn the advantages of installing solar hot water and solar electric systems, and about the different types of systems that are available. Local solar installers will be on hand to offer real-life case studies of solar installations and to answer questions about solar and its affordability.
Water heating is the second-largest energy expense in Vermont homes, accounting for 15-20 percent of a typical household's annual energy use. Solar hot water systems can reduce annual hot water heating costs by 50 percent or more, while cutting carbon pollution by more than 2 ½ tons.
Solar hot water reduces our dependence on expensive, imported fossil fuels, and is cost-effective, renewable, and applicable to many types of houses. The technology is simple, and has been successfully used all over the world for more than 30 years. Solar hot water can provide more than 70 percent of our hot water needs, even in Vermont's northern climate.
The cost of installing solar electric systems has decreased dramatically in the past year, and is now competitive with solar hot water. In addition, electric utilities in Vermont are now required to pay a higher premium for electricity generated by solar panels that are connected to the grid. Now is a great time to also consider a solar electric system.
The workshop is free, open to the general public, and is limited to 60 participants. Pre-registration is required. To sign up, contact Paul Cameron at 802-251-8135 or at pcameron@brattleboro.org. Light refreshments will be served.