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Renewable & Energy Efficiency Resources

In New Hampshire's agricultural sector, there's a growing need for sustainable practices. With rising energy costs and climate change concerns, integrating renewable energy sources and enhancing energy efficiency is crucial for farms statewide. From small family-owned enterprises to larger commercial operations, adopting these technologies and practices not only reduces carbon footprints but also offers economic benefits, ensuring the long-term viability of the state's farms.

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Below you will find local resources to support farms in implementing renewable and energy efficiency options.

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Service Providers

The following is a resource list of energy efficiency service providers in the Monadnock Region. Solar installers, energy auditors, weatherizing specialists and more are included below.

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This list was compiled and graciously shared by our partners at the Monadnock Sustainability Hub.

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Looking for more local info on energy efficiency and solar? Check out a separate resource list here.*

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*This list was last updated on 2/21/24

Primary Focus
Secondary Focus (if any)
Organization
Services
Location
Website
Solar
Granite State Solar
solar, batteries
Based in Bow
https://www.granitestatesolar.com/
Solar
Heating and Cooling
Green Energy Options
minisplits, solar, heating with wood
Keene Area
https://greenenergyoptions.com/
Solar
Norwich Solar
solar for farms, businesses, and other large projects
Northern New England, based in Upper Valley
https://norwichsolar.com/
Solar
Heating and Cooling
Revision Energy
solar, heat pumps, batteries
New England
https://www.revisionenergy.com/
Weatherization
Audits
NH Saves
audit, weatherization if qualified
NH-wide
https://nhsaves.com/
Audits
Horizon Residential Energy Services
contracts with utlities to carry out NH Saves programs; does not provide private services to homeowners
limited to Liberty customers
https://www.horizon-res.com/
Financial Assistance
Southwestern Community Services
fuel assistance, electrical assistance
Cheshire, Sullivan Counties
https://www.scshelps.org/energy-assistance/
Financial Assistance
Weatherization
Southern NH Services
fuel assistance, funded home upgrades
Hillsborough County
https://www.snhs.org/services/fuel-assistance
Audits
A Plus Energy Services
audits and weatherization; NH Saves contractor
Monadnock Region
https://www.aplusenergyservices.com/
Audits
P&M Installed Building Solutions
NH Saves contractor
Londonderry Area
https://pm-insulation.com/
Audits
Quality Insulation
audits and weatherization; NH Saves contractor
Monadnock Region, based in Nashua
https://www.truteam.com/branches/nh/nashua/675/
Audits
S.E.E.D.S. by Margaret Dillon
building and commercial audits, envelope design
Jaffrey Area
Audits
Resilient Buildings Group
Audits
Monadnock Region
http://www.resilientbuildingsgroup.com/services/audits/
Audits
Mill City Energy
audits and weatherization
Based in Manchester
https://millcityenergy.com/
Audits
Building Alternatives
NH Saves contractor
Monadnock Region possible
https://www.buildingalternatives.com/
Weatherization
Audits
Yankee Thermal Imaging
Audits, weatherization; NH Saves contractor
Monadnock Region
https://www.yankeethermalimaging.com/
Weatherization
Audits
ABC Energy Savings
NH Saves contractor, retrofits, weatherization
NH-wide, based in Concord
https://www.abcenergysavings.com/
Weatherization
Audits
Turn Cycle Solutions
audits and weatherization; NH Saves contractor
located in Nashua, works in our region
https://turncyclesolutions.com/
Weatherization
EarthShare Construction
NH Saves contractor
based in the Upper Valley
https://www.earthshareconstruction.com/
Weatherization
Shakes to Shingles
Weatherization, inspection, NH Saves contractor
located in Concord
https://www.shakestoshingles.com/
Weatherization
Colonial Insulation & Fireproofing
NH Saves contractor
located in Rindge
https://www.colonialgreenproducts.com/
Weatherization
Builders Installed Products NH
air sealing, insulation, building contracting
tri-state with local office in Westmoreland
https://www.buildersinstalledproductsnh.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB%20Listing
Heating and Cooling
Gary Jackson Heating
HVAC, minisplits
Marlborough & Keene Areas
https://www.garyjacksonheatingservices.com/
Heating and Cooling
Audits
BlocPower
Project Manage installs of heat pumps with energy audits and weatherization
Peterborough Residents
https://www.blocpower.io/posts/blocpower-partners-with-town-of-peterborough-nh-to-pilot-building-electrification-program
Heating and Cooling
Renewables
Bill Wenzel Heating & Air Conditioning
ASHP, geothermal
Amherst Area
https://billwenzelgeo.com/about-us
Heating and Cooling
Sorby & Sons
.
Jaffrey Area
https://sorbyandsonheating.com/
Heating and Cooling
AirMaster Heating & Cooling
.
Weare Area
https://airmaster-heating-and-cooling.business.site/
Heating and Cooling
Keating Plumbing & Heating
HVAC, indoor air quality
Keene Area
https://keatingph.com/
Heating and Cooling
Bergeron
ASHP
Keene Area
https://bergeronmechanicalsystems.com/residential/
Heating and Cooling
Revolution HVAC
.
Weare area, select work in Monadnock Region
https://www.revolutionhvac.com/
Heating and Cooling
Pinney Plumbing and Heating
.
Keene Area
https://www.pinneyplumbing.com/
Heating and Cooling
Links Heating, LLC
.
Hillsboro Area, select work in Monadnock Region
https://linksheatingllc.com/
Heating and Cooling
Design Day Mechanicals
HVAC, engineering
located in New Ipswich
https://www.designdaymech.com/
Heating and Cooling
Wilder Plumbing and Heating
.
Peterborough Area
http://www.wilderph.com/
Heating and Cooling
Wetherbee Plumbing and Heating
.
Milford Area
https://wetherbeeplumbingjim.com/
Heating and Cooling
Card Heating and Cooling
HVAC, minsplits
Milford Area
https://www.cardhvac.com/

scroll for more providers

Energy Resources & Webinar Recordings

Resources

The USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants for small businesses and agricultural producers to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology. REAP grants cover up to 50% of eligible project costs. Eligible technologies include solar, wind, geothermal, wood heat or power, anaerobic digesters, weatherization, the installation of energy efficient equipment, and more.

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Clean Energy NH is an approved REAP Technical Assistance provider, meaning they have funding from USDA to help farmers and small businesses apply for a REAP grant. Check out their website to determine REAP grant eligibility, identify the right energy-saving project for your business, apply for REAP grant funding, and complete your project.

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There are three more application deadlines throughout the year:

  • March 31, 2024

  • June 30, 2024

  • September 30, 2024

 

Looking for more local info on energy efficiency and solar? Check out a separate resource list here.*

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Webinars

CCCD is offering webinars & workshops through Fall 2024 highlighting different energy practices on farms in our region. View recordings of our recent webinar offerings below!

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All events are free and open to the public, learn more here: https://www.cheshireconservation.org/events

Energy Stipend Grants for
Specialty Crop Producers

Agricultural production consumes significant amounts of energy.  After cotton and rice production, specialty crop production had the next highest average electricity expense ($11,814) among crop producers, due to the use of irrigated water and greenhouse heating. NH ranks sixth in the nation for average electricity costs (US Energy Information Administration).  

 

Through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Cheshire County Conservation District (CCCD), is excited to offer stipends of $2,000 to farms to increase their energy efficiency and renewable energy options, with the goal of lowering operating costs, increasing viability, and increasing competitiveness.

Applications for the second grant round are now open!

Request for Proposals (RFP) 2024

Eligible applicants must be specialty crop producers in Cheshire County. 

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Specialty crops are defined in law as, “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture". Read the full definition here.

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Eligible projects include but are not limited to: making energy efficiency improvements to farm infrastructure (e.g. coolers, lights, irrigation, electric tractors, etc),  due diligence and paperwork needed in purchasing solar shares in net metering opportunities (e.g. Community Supported Solar for Farms in the Monadnock Region), and investing in appropriately scaled on-farm renewable energy projects (e.g. solar). New equipment purchases must be energy star rated to receive funding through the program.

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Stipends can be used to fund project costs, consulting with advisors, communicating with vendors and contractors, and farmer time.

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Stipends can NOT be used for construction-related costs or general purpose equipment (equipment not directly related to the energy efficiency/renewable energy goals).  

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Applications are due May 10, 2024.

Applications for 2024 are open!

Ready to Apply?

If you have reviewed the RFP above and confirmed that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, please complete an application:

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Applications are due on May 10, 2024

Please submit completed applications via the google form.

 

For Cheshire County producers looking for more information or to discuss project proposals, please contact Amanda: 603-756-2988 x4  / amanda@cheshireconservation.org

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Additional Funding and Technical Assistance Opportunities for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects:

2024 Grant Round 1 Recipients and Projects:

Abenaki Springs Farm (Walpole, NH)

Bruce Bickford at Abenaki Springs Farm will add a second layer of plastic to their high tunnel. This second layer will increase the efficiency in their high tunnel and will result in lowered propane usage to heat their high tunnel during the growing season.

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Bonita Farms (Walpole, NH)

Sam Senner of Bonita Farms will install solar panels to supply the farm with a renewable energy
source. The solar panels will be affixed to the existing barn, and will supply the total property with it’s energy needs.

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Dog Days Farm (Fitzwilliam, NH)

Jack Rixey of Dog Days Farm will utilize the stipend to support the farms long term climate resiliency plan which is to expand their covered growing space. This project will address how the farm plans to absorb the costs associated with growing under cover, as well as strategies for reducing energy use in covered growing spaces.  

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Dove Hill Farm (Walpole, NH)

Bevin Mitchell of Dove Hill Farm will improve the efficiency of their cooler. This improvement will lower their energy costs, usage, as well as improve the storage of their crops.

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Flock and Clowder (Fitzwilliam, NH)

James Sullivan of Flock and Clowder will design and install a rainwater catchment and solar-powered drip irrigation system that is more energy efficient than their garden hose sprinkler system. 

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Foggy Hill Farm (Jaffrey, NH)

Christine and Andy Pressman of Foggy Hill Farm will utilize the stipend to support their participation, research, and efforts in the Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar for Farms (CSS) project. The CSS project will lower their energy costs, as well as increase renewable energy usage and profitability on their farm.

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Gemmo Forest (Keene, NH)

Lauren Hubele of Gemmo Forest will utilize the stipend to purchase an electric brush mower. This project will reduce the need for a gas-powered tractor.

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Gentle Women's Farm (Winchester, NH)

Sue Vincent of Gentle Women's Farm will utilize the stipend to support their participation, research, and efforts in the Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar for Farms (CSS) project. The CSS project will lower their energy costs, as well as increase renewable energy usage and profitability on their farm.

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Hillside Springs Farm (Westmoreland, NH)

Frank Hunter and Kim Peavey of Hillside Springs Farm will utilize the stipend to support their participation, research, and efforts in the Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar for Farms (CSS) project. The CSS project will lower their energy costs, as well as increase renewable energy usage and profitability on their farm.

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Lucky 13 Farm (Winchester, NH)

Jake & Gerianne Fierro of Lucky 13 Farm will improve the efficiency of their farm store cooler. This improvement will lower their energy costs, usage, as well as improve the storage of their crops.

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Partners' Gardens (Nelson, NH)

Jenna & Tyler Rich of Partners' Gardens will utilize the stipend to support their participation, research, and efforts in the Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar for Farms (CSS) project. The CSS project will lower their energy costs, as well as increase renewable energy usage and profitability on their farm.

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Picadilly Farm (Winchester, NH)

Jenny & Bruce Wooster of Picadilly Farm will utilize the stipend to support their participation and efforts in the Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar for Farms (CSS) project. The CSS project will lower their energy costs, as well as increase renewable energy usage on their farm.

 

Sun Moon Farm (Rindge, NH)

Craig & Megan Jensen of Sun Moon Farm will utilize the stipend to support their participation, research, and efforts in the Monadnock Region Community Supported Solar for Farms (CSS) project. The CSS project will lower their energy costs, as well as increase renewable energy usage and profitability on their farm. Sun Moon Farm hosts the solar array for the CSS project.

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Vera Flora Farm (Gilsum, NH)

Sarah Barkhouse of Vera Flora Farm will improve the efficiency of their heated seed propagation greenhouse. This project will result in the ability to grow more plants and increase farm profitability, while using less energy per unit produced.

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Whittaker's Homestead (Alstead, NH)

Lizz Whittaker of Whittaker's Homestead will install a walk-in cooler in their wash pack station. This improvement will lower their energy costs, usage, as well as improve the storage of their crops.

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This grant program is made possible through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.

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