Small businesses, non-profits, schools, municipalities, and churches, not just residences, qualify for funding support to install renewable energy. At their Renewable Energy Conference on Saturday, November 9, the Manhattan Country School and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, supported by RUPCO/NYSERDA, the MARK Project, the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, and the O’Connor Foundation, will offer a day of presentations about renewable energy projects in the Catskills and nearby counties and will outline energy conservation methods and show how to apply for renewable energy funding. Come meet representatives of state energy funders, hear the case histories of organizations like yours and learn how they funded their solar, wind, geo-thermal or biomass energy systems.
The conference will take place at the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, 43355 State Highway 28, in Arkville, NY 12406. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with panel presentations beginning at 9:30. There will be five panels and a site visit to the Manhattan Country School to view its solar installation. In addition conference attendees will see the Catskill Center’s solar array and its grass pellet stove, installed through a program at the Cooperative Extension. In addition to panel presentations, there will be a room full of vendors and a half-hour “speed-meeting” during the lunch hour to find just the vendor or panelist you need to consult about installing renewable energy at your site. Refreshments will be available throughout the conference. Lunch, catered by Mary’s Cookin’ Again, is provided free for participants.
Panels will include:
Energy Conservation presented by the Rural Ulster Preservation Company, for NYSERDA, the major provider of incentive grants for installing renewable energy. It will feature energy conserving programs, construction, lighting, and windows.
Funding & Audits featuring NYSERDA representatives who will discuss programs for new construction and existing buildings and commercial structures, NYSERDA’s EDGE program, its FlexTech program, and financing options. A NYSERDA energy auditor will present case histories of successful conservation and renewable energy installations in Delaware County.
Biomass Energy presented by the Cornell Cooperative Extension and Enviro-Energy, the vendor for grass pellets in the region. At lunch time our host, the Catskill Center, will demonstrate its grass pellet stove obtained through that project. There will also be a presentation about firewood as biomass energy.
Alternative Energy Case Studies/Education featuring an historical use of hydropower that provided electricity a century ago plus a modern hydro mini-project offered by a local college student. Additional case histories will emphasize solar photovoltaic and hot water installations for schools and businesses, and a review of factors that affect funding for solar power.
A Final Word on Funding include the MARK Project’s funding initiative for the Catskill Center’s solar power project and will bring back the NYSERDA representatives to summarize next steps toward funding your project.
Following the final panel, the conference will adjourn to the nearby Manhattan Country School Farm to view its 14 panel 24,000 watt solar installation that provides the electricity at the site and to enjoy refreshments before heading home.
Conference registration e-mails have been sent to many small businesses, non-profits, schools, and municipalities in the region. If you have not received one, call Ginny Scheer at 607-326-4206 to register. Or e-mail her at vscheer@juno.com. We hope everyone interested in renewable energy will attend.
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