Solar Calais! - the solar subcommittee of the Calais Energy Group (the town's unofficial energy committee) - is pleased to announce that 2017 looks to be a very good year for installing a residential solar PV system for electricity production. The Washington Electric Co-op solar "net metering" rate has changed, effective January 1, making solar a much better investment than it has been for the past few years. We will be working hard over the coming weeks to understand the financial benefits for WEC members who install solar in Calais, as well as for customers of GMP and Hardwick Electric, and we will report back to the community what we learn. We also plan to track solar installations in town and to produce case studies of systems installed here - all of which we will share with you through Front Porch Forum and the CEG website. Stay tuned!

Curious to learn more about solar? Come to the solar educational workshop at the Maple Corner Community Center next Tuesday 1/10 at 6:00pm. This workshop is being put on by one of Vermont's solar companies, SunCommon. According to SunCommon's Joel Rhodes, "Hear about how Vermont's new net-metering rule makes it possible for all Vermonters in all utilities to benefit from solar. Learn about how easy and affordable it is to go solar at no upfront cost and cover your energy costs with solar. There will be plenty of time for Q&A. Free and bring your neighbor! Contact joel@suncommon.com for details."

In the future Solar Calais! plans to host more events where you will be able to meet other solar installers and exchange ideas with townspeople who have already installed solar systems. We want to see many more solar installations in Calais!

If you have questions, please feel free to call me at 223-6918 or email me at maker22@gmail.com.

Jan 10, 2025, 6 to 9 PM

Jan 11, 2025, 9:30 AM to 1 PM

Jan 12, 2025, 1 PM