Community Energy : 2010 January

Community Energy is proud to announce the launch of its On-Site Solar initiative. Our new On-Site Solar team is working hard to bring on-site solar energy to an organization near you. In fact, we have completed our first two solar projects on the campuses of Smith College and Eastern University.

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is excited to have their Campus Center outfitted with a 130 panel solar array that produces approximately enough energy to power the building’s café. Over the next 20 years the project will reduce carbon emissions by 238 metric tons, which is equivalent to the carbon that would be removed by planting 215 acres of trees.

“I am thrilled that we are able to place this demonstration of renewable power on the building that is the crossroads of our campus,” said Dano Weisbord, Smith’s Environmental Sustainability Director.

As our neighbor in Radnor, PA, and longtime purchaser of Community Energy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), Eastern University continues to demonstrate their leadership in environmental responsibility with the installation of solar panels on the roof of the University’s Eagle Learning Center. Over the next 20 years the 56 kilowatt system will reduce carbon emissions by 839 metric tons, which is equivalent to the carbon that would be removed by planting 755 acres of trees.

The solar systems are financed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Community Energy who will own and operate the systems, enabling the schools to take advantage of the renewable power source without funding the system’s purchase up front. Community Energy will sell Smith and Eastern electricity produced by the systems at a locked-in rate for 20 years, insulating the college from rising energy costs.

Community Energy’s On-Site Solar Projects allow our partners to reduce operating costs while lowering carbon emissions. These on-site solar projects are just another example of how Community Energy is leading the development of new renewable energy resources. And of course, all of this is made possible by our green power customers. For more information visit our On-Site Solar page.

Keep on Rocking in the Green World

Leave it to a member of our fun-loving outreach team to find a way to combine her passion for promoting renewable energy with her love of music. Community Energy’s Linda Burtis orchestrates this partnership whenever possible by joining forces with a number of high-profile concert events. By seeking out performers with like-minded passions for sustainability, Linda has found her way into some truly memorable musical experiences – all while spreading the word about renewable energy!

On November 17th, 2009, Linda partnered with Ani DiFranco to offset the emissions from her concert in Albany, NY. In what she described as one of the highlights of her career, Linda was called onstage by Ani to promote Community Energy’s residential renewable energy program! Ani also dedicated 2 songs to Community Energy and convinced many concert-goers to sign up their homes for green power. To read more about this event visit Community Energy’s blog.

Linda has guided Community Energy in partnering with musical acts to provide Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset concert emissions. On May 3rd, 2009 Community Energy provided 50 MWh of RECs from renewable wind energy to match 100% of the electricity associated with the “The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders.” This event was part of longtime environmental activist Pete Seeger’s 90th Birthday Celebration at legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City. Performers included Bruce Springsteen, the Dave Matthews Band and Joan Baez.

To sign up your home for renewable energy visit our website here!

Customer Profile: Natural By Nature

The folks at Natural By Nature pride themselves on providing their customers with the highest quality organic dairy products. Their standards for organic excellence exceed industry requirements and set them apart as leaders in the industry. With this commitment to both excellence and the environment, it is natural that they support renewable energy by purchasing 100% of their electricity usage from wind energy through the PECO WIND^sm Program.

Founded in 1994 by the father and son combination of Norman and Ned MacArthur, Natural By Nature was created to bring high quality organic dairy products to the public. By insisting that all their dairy goods are produced from grass-fed cows they set themselves apart in an industry where most companies raise their cows on less nutritious diets of grain. Located in rural Lancaster, PA this company supports the community by sourcing their products from a number of small, local, family-owned farms.

"Natural Dairy Products Corporation is dedicated to providing fresh organic dairy products that are healthy for both consumers and the environment," said General Manager Dawn Fenstermacher. "Our passion for preserving and protecting the environment is why we purchase wind power for our office headquarters."

With products ranging from whipped butter to whipped cream and everything dairy in between, there is something for everyone to enjoy from the farms of Natural By Nature. For more information visit Natural By Nature.

Lighting Up the Holiday Season with Clean Energy

Here at Community Energy we love to support creative and passionate individuals as they seek to inspire others and set an example through the use of renewable energy. This holiday season and in years past we’ve had the privilege to partner with the visionary and ambitious Neil J. DiSpirito of Levittown, PA as he lights up his house (and practically the whole neighborhood!) with an awe-inspiring display of outdoor Christmas lights. Now in his 17th year of decorating and spreading holiday cheer, Neil powers his month-long display with wind power from the PECO WIND^sm Program.

Nick doesn't accept any donations or sponsorship offers to trim the costs of this project. Instead, he and his friends earn money over the summer by restoring old salvaged motorcycles. This is just another way he supports the theory of reduce, reuse, recycle. And besides, Neil isn't decorating his house for the money.

"When people ask me how much extra my electricity bill is each December I tell them that when you take the extra cost and divide it by the children's happiness, it comes out to about a penny per smile," says Neil.

Well worth it!

Each year, Neil’s display attracts thousands of visitors to his home and website. He has also been featured on NBC news and various other local news stations. Through his efforts Neil brightens the lives of those who experience his decorations and spreads the importance of supporting renewable energy. Next season, be sure to check out his unforgettable lights and join him in offsetting your home’s electricity usage with renewable energy.

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