HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-09-ECC2-min
Energy Conservation Committee
Cary Memorial Bldg- Legion Room
7/9/2008 6:00 PM
In attendance:
Bill Hadley
Shawn Newell
Roger Borgeshani
Christopher Haines
Hank Manz
Tom Griffiths
Paul Chernick (took minutes)
Absent:
Steve Kropper, Chair
1)Nominate location for next PV project
This topic provoked extensive discussion and several suggestions.
RB suggested a site in one of the elderly-housing villages, such as on the
community center. SN and others thought that solar domestic water heating (DWH)
would be more appropriate on the elderly housing. In addition, the villages are tucked out
of site, which would make them poor sites for public demonstration of PV.
SN suggested the roof of the town pool, which all agreed would be great for
visibility. The PV would also take a big bite out of the pool’s energy bill, which would be
good for publicity. There’s plenty of room on the roof of the pool building, and little or
no shading. Two issues came up:
a)HM pointed out that the pool (including the building) will be renovated in the
next couple years. He undertook to check with Recreation on the timing. The
PV installation should follow and (CH emphasized) be integrated with the
building renovation. So maybe the pool would be our third or fourth PV
project.
Energy Conservation Committee Minutes 9 July2008.doc
by Paul Chernick, via SAK 08/13/08, 01:56 PM
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b)In any month, NStar would bill the pool for its energy usage minus the energy
produced by the PV system. Usually the PV system would simply reduce the
pool’s use of NStar power, but at some times the PV energy may flow back
into the distribution system, running the meter backwards. (That’s called net
metering.) There were some concerns as to what happens to excess electricity
generated when the pool is shut, from September to May. RB said that NStar
would pay us the wholesale rate for the excess. Indeed, if the net flow of
energy over the month is negative (more goes out than comes in), NStar must
pay us “the average monthly market price of generation per kilowatthour, as
determined by the DPU” CMR 220 11, pages 13-14 {I have not been able to
find out how that rate is determined, but it will be substantial.—PC}
CH suggested the library, as a high-visibility location, with the special challenge of
complying with HDC requirements. PC points out that the library has big problems with
heat gain through its skylight, and a PV system on the east and west sides of the skylight
might help with that. CH is interested in brainstorming with the library and HDC people
on possible solutions.
The town offices and the main fire station are in the HDC district and present no
special advantages for PV. No one was particularly enthusiastic about either site.
RB also suggested the DPW building. BH pointed out that the installation there
could be negotiated with the contractors, without new competitive bidding. He undertook
to check with the contractors on the cost of integrating PV at this point. He had a meeting
the next day with the DPW-building team, and would raise it then.
SN also raised possibility of solar lighting for bike path. MTC will not fund PV for
new loads. Rest of participants thought PV/storage for individual lights at critical points
might be helpful. We could work on this with Bikeway Committee and/or Friends.
General questions: TG expressed concern about the cost of net metering, if any.
For August, SN will try to get PV installer to attend ECC meeting, explain siting
and installation issue. Members with questions should send to SN in advance.
Consensus: Let’s go with DPW, if possible, and plan on library and pool longer-
term.
2)Review new State Energy Law
Energy Conservation Committee Energy Conservation Committee Minutes 9 July2008.doc
by Paul Chernick, via SAK 08/13/08, 01:56 PM
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No one was familiar enough with the law to discuss implications for Lexington.
Summaries were circulated.
3)Review most recent months's energy use report
No questions on May. We will get June and July reports in August; may include
Town data.
Town has saved >$200k compared to budget. SN was not clear on whether that
reflected budgeted or actual rates; will get details for August meeting.
4)Energy benchmarking of all town buildings.
In progress. See (3).
adjourned: 7:15.
Energy Conservation Committee Energy Conservation Committee Minutes 9 July2008.doc
by Paul Chernick, via SAK 08/13/08, 01:56 PM