The Commission's third annual Request for Proposals (RFP) for commercial-scale renewable energy projects was issued in May. The competitive grant program uses REF funds to spur new thermal and electrical renewable projects across the state. The program is fuel neutral, meaning that all sources of renewable energy as defined by the state legislature are eligible for funding.
  

Recognizing that this program has been significantly over-subscribed in its first two years, the funding pool for the current RFP was increased this year from $1 million to $1.8 million (it also helped that more funds were available this year). The RFP sought projects that would increase the supply of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and thereby lower compliance costs with the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard law.

The response to this year's RFP was unprecedented. The Commission received thirty-five proposals requesting a total of more than $21 million for projects with a total price tag of $184 million.   Funding requests covered a wide range of technologies from biomass heating systems to wind farms to hydroelectric facilities, combined heat and power systems, and large-scale PV arrays.

An interagency grant review committee is currently reviewing this year's proposals, interviewing selected applicants, and compiling funding recommendations which will be passed on the PUC's commissioners. The commissioners will conduct an independent review and then issue grant awards, subject to the approval of Governor Hassan and the Executive Council. 

Since its inception in July 2009, the Commission's residential renewable energy rebate program has made rebates available for photovoltaic (PV) and wind systems with a nameplate capacity of less than 5 kilowatts (kW); larger systems were excluded. The cap on system size was mandated by HB 1628, the bill directing the Commission to establish this program.

Over the years a significant number of homeowners and solar installers expressed dissatisfaction with the 5 kW cap, noting that larger systems were becoming more commonplace as prices for PV systems plummeted. In some cases homeowners would install systems sized just below the cap, apply for and receive a rebate from the Commission, and then expand their PV systems to a larger capacity - a perfectly legitimate maneuver, but not an efficient way to go.

On July 29, a new law (HB542) went into effect, raising the cap to 10 kW per system. Systems of 10 kW or less are now eligible for the residential rebate, although the rebate remains the same: $.75 per watt of panel rated power up to $3,750, or 50% of the total facility cost, whichever is less.

A 9.275 kW solar array on a Concord residence.

Program Manager Jon Osgood reports that since the new law went into effect, most new rebate applications have been for systems larger than 5 kW. It seems that larger residential systems are the new normal. As a result, more homeowners will be able to more fully meet their electrical needs with renewable power, and at times generate surplus energy which is returned to the electrical grid - and for which homeowners receive a credit on their electric bills. At times of peak system demand, these systems shore up the regional power grid, and reduce the need for expensive, dirty "peaking" power plants to be brought on line. In the long term, these and other local renewable energy facilities help reduce the need for expensive new power plants and transmission infrastructure upgrades and expansions.

The Commission's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Fund (GHGERF) was phased out by the state legislature in 2012 amidst an effort to discontinue New Hampshire's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). (This effort ultimately failed and today NH continues to participate in RGGI). Over the prior 2 years, the Commission had awarded more than $30 million in RGGI funds for a wide array of projects and programs to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.   A handful of these programs continue to operate today, using dollars that were awarded before the GHGERF was terminated.

A 2013 study by UNH's Carbon Solutions New England found that the RGGI-funded grant programs were yielding strong results:

As of June 2012, cumulative energy savings due to projects that received GHGERF funds ($21.8 million spent) are expected to be $107.8 million through 2030 based on current energy prices. For every dollar spent as of June 2012, the expected return is $4.95 in energy savings.

Two of the RGGI-funded programs delivering services to the commercial and industrial sectors recently achieved impressive milestones.

Since 2009 the Retail Merchants Association of NH (RMANH) has operated the Giving Power Back program for small and medium sized businesses.  This program offers participating retailers and other commercial businesses guidance, technical support, financial assistance for audits and rebate funds for energy makeovers.  So far 193 businesses have enrolled in the program, 177 businesses have had energy audits, and 89 businesses have begun or completed energy retrofits.  Recently, the program's rebate awards reached the $1 million mark and these businesses are expecting to see annual energy savings of over $695,000 with the changes they made to their facilities.

 
TRC Energy Services manages the NH Pay for Performance Program (P4P). P4P comprehensively addresses the energy efficiency needs of the commercial, industrial, and municipal government sectors by working with participants, such as developers, building owners and their representatives, to improve energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings. The Program is implemented through a network of qualified Program Partners. Partners are selected based on their demonstrated experience to develop comprehensive energy efficiency work scopes in commercial and industrial facilities, oversee the installation of the proposed scope, and verify that the installation will achieve the estimated energy performance.

To date, 45 New Hampshire buildings have participated in the NH P4P program. A key goal for the program was to develop energy retrofit projects totaling $5 million in value. P4P has exceeded that goal by more than 100%, with construction projects now at the $11.5 million mark. Energy savings have averaged 26%. Read about P4P's success stories, including Gregg Hall at UNH, Hitchiner Manufacturing in Littleton, and Oyster River High School, here.

Both the Giving Power Back and P4P programs were recently granted extensions by the Commission and will operate through June, 2014, using previously awarded funds.

Professor Mike Mooiman, Franklin Pierce University

. Written by Franklin Pierce University Professor Mike Mooiman, the blog looks at various energy issues in NH ranging from the future of renewable energy in NH to home heating costs to the challenges facing NH's wood fired power plants. The blog installments are well-researched, clearly written, informative and thought-provoking. Professor Mooiman is Academic Director for FPU's MBA in Energy and Sustainability Studies Program. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Jordan Institute.  Click here to join the Energy in New Hampshire mailing list.

New Hampshire received funding for three projects, all photovoltaic (PV) installations. A.B. Logging of Lancaster received a grant of $20,525. Northern Design Precast, Inc. of Loudon received a grant of $19,144. And Barrington Solar, LLC of Barrington received a grant of $118,332 and a loan of $182,000.

For information about REAP grants/loans, please contact Cheryl Ducharme of USDA at 802-828-6083.