If you've wanted to go solar, but your home is tree-shaded, or you don't have a south facing roof, or, perhaps you don't own a home, here's your chance to participate in a local solar energy project at a relatively modest price!

After months of hard work, we have finalized the details of how Acorn Energy Co-op members can participate in the exciting Acorn Energy Solar One project in Middlebury to be located behind the Police Station, with construction slated to start in late October. We have managed to reserve one-third of the total system output for a limited number of Acorn Energy Co-op members.

In order to participate, each subscriber will make a long-term, $2,000 loan to the project. This will qualify the subscriber to purchase a 2% share of the array's electrical output from CVPS and receive a two cent per kWh rebate, which will be credited to their utility bill each month for 25 years. Starting in year 11, the rebate amount will increase to five cents per kWh and a portion of the principal amount of the loan will be repaid each year until the loan is fully repaid.

You must be an existing CVPS customer, and participation is limited to lifetime Acorn Energy Co-op members. Subscriber signup is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is now open. For additional information, contact us at info@acornenergycoop.com.

orn Energy Co-op Now Offering Sun Portal

And speaking of solar energy, here's an economical way to add a little solar to your home: The Sun Portal. This is an inexpensive, easy to install, wall-mounted, solar indoor lighting kit that produces light you can read by. It can also be used to light a cabin, RV, shed, workshop, or boat. 

 This new solar lighting package includes its own solar panel, charge controller, battery, and bright LED light. Unaffected by power outages, you can also use this as emergency back-up lighting when the grid fails. This 12-volt DC system is simple and safe enough to install yourself in about two hours. Lets you try out solar energy without spending a lot of money. Energy Co-op board members Dick Thodal and Greg Pahl have tried The Sun Portal in their homes and report that it works just fine. 

You can order the Sun Portal online from Yeti Solar for $295, or through the Acorn Energy Co-op for a special discount price of $275. Contact us at info@acornenergycoop.com.

The Vermont Department of Public Service (DPS) recently announced that the Public Review DRAFT 2011 of the state's Comprehensive Energy Plan(CEP) is available here for review and comment. The plan addresses Vermont's energy future for electricity, thermal energy,  transportation, and land use. The state invites the public to provide input.

The CEP represents the efforts of numerous state agencies and departments, and input from stakeholders and citizens who shared their insights and knowledge on energy issues over the past six months. The Plan may be read and downloaded from the state's CEP website.

The release of the Draft CEP marks the beginning of the formal Public Comment period, which remains open until 5:00 p.m. on October 10, 2011. If you missed the recent public hearing in Middlebury, there are two more meetings in our area where you can still make comments:

September 29th (7-9 p.m.) - Rutland High School (22 Stratton Road)

October 3rd (7-9 p.m.) - Colchester High School (131 Laker Lane)