VITAL COMMUNITIES
Resources
Results Summary
301 new solar homes, 1.7 megawatts of new renewable energy …and counting!
Solarize Toolkit
Timelines, templates, and examples to help you plan a successful solar campaign.
Solarize Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the site visit?
Before the site visit, the installer may ask you some questions over the phone or by email about your electricity usage, the orientation of your home, the age of your roof, whether there are large trees near your house, etc. The installer may also look at your home using satellite imagery.
If the installer believes you may have a viable site, they will schedule a site visit. Your site visit will be free and will usually take between 30 and 60 minutes. The installer will take pictures and take measurements related to solar exposure. The installer may also want to look at your electric meter, past electric bills, and sometimes also your roof rafters if there is any question of whether they can support the additional weight of a solar array.
If your site is better suited for a ground-mounted array, the installer will discuss possible locations with you.
After the site visit, the installer will send you a detailed quote.
How much does it cost to go solar?
Out of 181 contracts for solar signed through Solarize Upper Valley in 2015 (including many towns across the Upper Valley) the average gross cost (before incentives) was $23,810, and the average size was 6.01 kW. Of course, cost and system size will vary from house to house.
What rebates/credits are available?
The federal government offers a 30% federal income tax credit to homeowners who install residential solar arrays. Talk to your installer and consult a tax professional to determine how to apply.
Incentive programs in Vermont and New Hampshire can change from year to year. Ask you installer about current offerings.
How long does the process take, from site visit to solar installation?
The process can be as fast as a couple of months. It can take a few weeks to schedule a site visit and decide whether or not to go solar. If you decide to move ahead, it will take a week or two to secure state incentives and approval from your utility before your installer can start on your installation. The installation itself will take 1-3 days, after which your installer will walk you through everything you need to know about your new system, and your utility company will come plug your system into the grid so you can start saving.
What if I rent my home?
Talk with your landlord or purchase a share in a community-scale solar project located within your electric utility’s service territory (only available in Vermont as of Dec 2016).
What's Happening
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Save Energy
This week marks the close of Vital Communities and volunteers’ 2020 Vermont Energy Savings project in seven towns in the Vermont side of the Upper V [...]
Weatherize Webinar, August 17
Weatherize Webinar with NHSaves
Monday, August 17 at Noon
Did Covid-19 stop your 2020 weatherization plans in their tracks? NOW is the right time [...]
Five Inspiring Stories
On March 18, Vital Communities held a webinar featuring five inspiring stories from energy committees across the Upper Valley. Stories included:
[...]
13th Annual Roundtable – September 15
You're Invited!
The 13th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable will be held Tuesday, September 15, 5-8 pm in West Lebanon! Th [...]
Efficient Heating in Vermont
Check out this newly produced, six-minute YouTube video on Efficient Heating in Vermont, created by Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission.
The [...]
Nov. 19 Green Real Estate Crash Course
Vital Communities is offering its popular Green Real Estate Crash Course again on Tuesday, November 19, at Service Credit Union, just off I-89 [...]
12th Annual Roundtable – May 7
You're Invited!
The 12th Annual Upper Valley Energy Committee Roundtable is Tuesday, May 7, 5-8 pm in West Lebanon! This annual gathe [...]
Seeking Bids from Solar Installers by Nov. 30
Vital Communities is teaming up with Kearsarge Climate Action to launch a Solarize Kearsarge campaign in spring 2019, following on the tails of the up [...]
Big News: SERG Joins Vital Communities
Big news from the Vital Communities Energy Program:
Sustainable Energy Resource Group (SERG) is merging into Vital Communities.
The Sustainable Ener [...]
Cornish and Plainfield Charge Ahead
The Cornish and Plainfield Energy Committees Invite You To Inaugurate NH’s 39th Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station
(Guest Post from STEVE L [...]
Vital Communities Program News
Vermont Everyone Eats Serves Its One-Millionth Meal!
On Thursday, April 29, Vermont Everyone Eats, an innovative COVID-19 response program, is celebrating 1 million restaurant meals served to Vermonters experiencing food insecurity. The program was launched in August 2020 with an allocation of ...more
Flavors of the Valley 2021: The Fun Goes Digital!
Flavors of the Valley, the Upper Valley's favorite local food tasting expo, will not be stopped this year! We're moving it to May, with a month-long digital celebration of spring, our local farms, local food, ...more
Slow Cooker Pork Ribs
This recipe is courtesy of The Beeroness. Cook up some Stout & Sriracha Barbecue Sauce to go with these for your next dinner. Ingredients 2 lbs country-style pork ribs 1/4 c tomato paste 3 Tbsp soy sauce 3 Tbsp balsamic ...more
"Light River Junction" Kicks Off May 7 with "Toons and Tones"
https://youtu.be/1CHhlNDazVI The celebratory summer series Light River Junction First Fridays with WRIF kicks off May 7 with a fantastic line-up called "Toons and Tones." Throughout downtown White River, there will FREE outdoor arts to inspire and ...more
WAY TO GO! SPRING CHALLENGE
JOIN THE CHALLENGE MAY 1-16 AND BE ENTERED TO WIN PRIZES! Spring is here, so it’s a great time to Get Up and Go! Take the challenge to walk, bike, roll, bus, or carpool May 1 ...more
Launching Year 2 of the Upper Valley E-Bike Library!
Do you wish biking was part of your life? E-bikes can greatly increase that possibility. E-bikes (electric bikes) are like regular bikes but with an electric motor in addition to human-powered pedals, a battery to ...more
April 8: "Investing in Home Creation"
Investing for Home Creation Thursday, April 8, 5:30 pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUwM8Z2FD3Q The Upper Valley faces a shortage of housing, particularly in the lower-cost sector, that's affecting our ability to be a vibrant, equitable community. This session discussed how even ...more
April 15, 2021: “Putting Your Money to Work Locally: Investing Clubs 101”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnLZ7akjtGw Interested in investing locally but don’t want to do it alone? Investment clubs pool money to collectively invest in local businesses and bring a social aspect to the process – they make investment fun! In this ...more
Valley Quests Open May 1—including a Guided Event to a Vernal Pool!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 1: It's a big one for Valley Quests! Not only is May 1 Opening Day for Quests—"treasure hunts" that share the natural and cultural history of 160+ special areas in ...more
Braised Pork + Cabbage: A One-Pot Late Winter Farmers Market Meal
Braised Pork & Cabbage: A One-Pot Late Winter Farmers Market Meal Magazines and radio shows are already gushing about springy greens recipes, but if you’re eating seasonally in the Upper Valley, winter food is still on the table. And ...more
Zucchini Chard Cakes
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve shared this zucchini chard cake recipe with folks this summer. I was sure that as soon as I mentioned zucchini I would be greeted with a sigh ...more
Have an Idea That Could Use a Lift?
New Hampshire Businesses, Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits, Community Initiatives: Do you have an incredible project just waiting to happen? Want to grow your organization, our community, and the local economy, but don’t have access to capital? The Local Crowd ...more
Free Webinar on Writing Waterway Quests, April 8
Valley Quests are treasure hunts set in special locations around the Upper Valley. Each Quest follows a unique set of clues that teach you about a place’s ecology, wildlife, and history while leading to a ...more
NH Route 120 Improvements Near Exit 18
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has recently begun a project to study multi-modal improvements to NH Route 120 from Hanover Street to Etna Road in Lebanon, NH. This project (NHDOT reference #29612) seeks ...more
Quest to the Star!
Have you seen the star alight upon Mt. Tom in Woodstock? Wouldn't it be fun to see it up close? You can if you follow the clues of the Mt. Tom Quest. The star traditionally ...more
Welcome 31 New Upper Valley Change-makers
Vital Communities celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2020 on Wednesday, June 10. This event marked the program’s 14th graduating class, as 31 local leaders completed the 10-month program with a ...more
Stand in Your Circle of Strength and Lead
Ed. Note: On May 30, Vital Communities honored 12 community leaders who’ve added immeasurably to the vitality of the Upper Valley at its annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration. The following are the event’s keynote remarks ...more
Heroes & Leaders: Creating a Vital Upper Valley
Every spring, Leadership Upper Valley, a program of Vital Communities, hosts the annual Heroes & Leaders Celebration to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to the Upper Valley. In 2019, we are pleased to honor ...more
Staff
Julia Guy
AmeriCorps VISTA Energy Savings Outreach Specialist
Energy
Energy
— Julia Guy, AmeriCorps VISTA Energy Savings Outreach Specialist
Julia Guy is the AmeriCorps VISTA Energy Savings Outreach Specialist at Vital Communities. A frequent visitor, Julia is glad to make the Upper Valley a home. Originally from Binghamton, New York, Julia graduated from Skidmore College in 2019 with a Bachelors of Science in Theatre and a minor in Environmental Studies. Before moving to the Upper Valley, Julia was working for a low- waste, plastic-free home goods brand in Brooklyn. When she’s not fighting climate change, you can find Julia hiking and afterward indulging in a soft pretzel with plenty of mustard.
Sarah Brock
Energy Program Manager
Energy
Energy
— Sarah Brock, Energy Program Manager
Sarah Brock joined Vital Communities in 2013 as our Energy Program Manager. Through her work Sarah provides support for our region’s 40+ local energy committees, engaging with dozens of volunteers and clean energy businesses in programs like Solarize Upper Valley, Weatherize Upper Valley, and the Upper Valley Green Real Estate Network. Prior to joining the Vital Communities team, Sarah was an Environmental Philanthropy Associate with the High Meadows Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation. Sarah lives in Warner, New Hampshire, with her husband and daughter. When she's not busy advocating for energy efficiency, Sarah enjoys playing the trombone and taking walks in her backwoods to look for signs of New Hampshire's abundant wildlife.