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Minutes
Thursday, April 17th, 2014
7:00 pm
120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
- Attendees: Jeff Elie, Cindy Keegan, John Hayes, Jeff Cohen, Rishi Nandi
- Guests: Carling Audette (Solarize SSU student volunteer); Josh Mailloux (Real Goods Solar)
Updates
Solarize Mass Discussion
Jeff Cohen updated the RETF on the Solarize Program as it is ongoing. Coordinated by the City of Salem, Town of Swampscott, the MassCEC, and the Department of Energy Resources, the solar installer, Real Goods Solar, has signed about 30 contracts with Salem and Swampscott residents with about 150 kilowatts total energy being produced by the panels.
Some of the initiatives for outreach has been through Salem Access Television, through the mailing list the City has generated through the Solar Mapping tool provided by MassCEC. This mailing went out to about 6,000 residents, all homes with feasible roofs for solar according to this online solar map. For future events to do solar outreach, RGS and Jeff Cohen plan to be at the YMCA Healthy Kids Day, the Salem Swap and Drop Recycling Committee event, and the Dog Festival on Salem Common.
There has also been some commercial outreach with Rob Lutz of Cabot Money Management and Jeff Cohen and RGS attending a Business roundtable event hosted by the Salem Chamber of Commerce
Streetlight Purchase/LED conversion update –
The City is close to purchasing the lights. The City will own the lights before the end of Fiscal Year 2014, which is June 30th.
The City is participating in MAPC regional group procurement for the LED streetlight conversion. The MAPC has drafted an RFQ that is currently under review by the Department of Energy Resources and is expected to be issued in June 2014. The project will take 6-8 months to complete but will save the City 50-65% in energy usage and costs from the current cost of the streetlight system.
Discussion of general solar installations on the municipal side. A feasibility study must be done to determine where and how much solar can go on municipal buildings, which would in most cases be rooftop solar installations. This would include solar arrays on school buildings, City Hall, pump station buildings, DPW, Fire stations, Police HQ, etc.
Cindy Keegan inquired about small solar array on Salem High School and its interconnection status.
Discussion of Green Communities Grant Program Projects
The DPW headquarters work is ongoing and is expected to be completed the first week of May 2014. The DPW is receiving LED lighting upgrades for the outdoor lighting. Additionally, an energy management system and infrared heaters are being installed. Lastly, the building is receiving building envelope upgrades to help with conserving energy.
Discussion of Living Green Fair
Jeff Cohen and Jeff Elie met with Rinus and Scott from the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the Living Green Fair. Because of competing events and lack of time, it was decided to hold off the event this year and plan more for next year. Since two years ago when it was last held, there were largely solar and window vendors, the event was not as well received by Salem and the purpose of the event should be refocused to display green initiatives and technologies, rather than vendors selling products.
Subcommittees Update
- Executive Committee: None.
- Policy Committee: None.
- Outreach/Events Committee: None.
- Projects Committee: None.
Action Items
- Send Cindy Keegan National Grid Interconnect checklist for solar array on High School
- Rishi Nandi to send John Hayes and RETF information on drift analysis for solar arrays on flat roofs
- Jeff Cohen to email Jeff Elie (RETF) Solar 201 SATV link
- Jeff Elie to send Rishi MassEnergyInsight online login information
- Jeff Elie to post Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment maps and technical memo to Salem RETF Gmail Google Drive
Administrative:
- Future Meetings: Next Meeting to be held on May 17, 2014
- Agenda items not discussed: None.
- Additional items discussed: Footprint Power is giving Salem $2 Million for renewable energy projects as part of the CLF Settlement. The RETF should discuss advice we could give the Jeff as the Energy Manager as to what projects to attempt.
- Votes Taken: None
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