AllEarth Renewables News

AllEarth Renewables Reflects Dual Focus on Providing Wind and Solar Systems

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Earth Turbines Celebrates New Year with New Name

Change to AllEarth Renewables Reflects Company’s Dual Focus on Providing Wind and Solar Systems

Williston, Vermont, January 20, 2010........... Earth Turbines, Inc., Vermont’s only manufacturer of small scale grid- connected wind and solar tracking systems, announces a corporate name change to AllEarth Renewables, Inc.

“Our company is dedicated to developing new wind and solar technologies,” says David Blittersdorf, CEO and president of AllEarth Renewables. “We want to be sure that our corporate name reflects this larger focus for the future.” Since founding Earth Turbines in 2005, Blittersdorf has lead a team of engineers dedicated to designing rugged and reliable grid-connected renewable energy systems that help homeowners and businesses realize the dream of generating electricity with local, renewable energy. Much of what was learned while testing and refining the Earth Turbine 2500 informed the development of the AllSun Tracker dual-axis solar system, which was introduced in May of 2009.

AllEarth Renewables provides turnkey site assessment, permitting and installation for both the Earth Turbine 2500 and the AllSun Tracker dual-axis solar system. With a 30% federal tax credit and available Vermont tax credits or rebates, each of these renewable energy systems can fit the budget of a wide array of consumers seeking to reduce their dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels, support renewable energy and assure a fixed-cost, reliable power source for their home or business.

The Earth Turbine 2500 uses a patented direct drive induction generator with no inverter or gearbox. This innovative design was chosen for its reliability and relative simplicity. The system is mounted on a 112’ guyed tilt-up tower, placing the turbine at optimum height to utilize the power of the wind. The 2500 weighs a hefty 450 lbs., providing unprecedented durability for a small wind system. It incorporates a wireless monitoring interface and is easily installed and connected directly to the grid through homes or businesses. After a rigorous and successful five-year testing period, sales of the Earth Turbine 2500 are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2010.

More than 80 AllSun Tracker solar systems have already been installed, including 36 at the Green Acres Tracker Farm in Hinesburg, Vermont, the largest solar installation to date in the state. The electricity produced by the Green Acres Tracker Farm (estimated at 200,000 kWh per year) is divided between the corporate headquarters of AllEarth Renewables and NRG Systems of Hinesburg through a process called group net-metering. This allows the electric output of a system to be shared among multiple entities located within the same utility service area. It is estimated that with the electricity generated by the Green Acres Tracker Farm, both NRG and AllEarth Renewables will be able to meet 100% of their electricity needs through clean locally-generated renewable power.

For more information contact: Anne Bijur, 802-777-0153, abijur@allearthrenewables.com

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. (www.allearthrenewables.com )

AllEarth Renewables, Inc., (formerly Earth Turbines, Inc.) Vermont’s only manufacturer of residential wind turbines and the AllSun Tracker dual-axis solar system, designs and installs grid-connected renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of the wind and sun for homes and businesses.

Wind Energy Pioneer Awarded Patent for Direct Drive Induction Generator

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Read our press release on David Blittersdorf's patent.

Yestermorrow and AER Install 28 Kilowatts of Solar Power

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Read Yestermorrow's press release on the installation of seven AllSun Trackers at their Waitsfield campus.

AER Sponsors "Ride for Renewables" in Support of 100% US Renewable Electricity Grid by 2020

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Green energy advocate Tom Weis is riding 2,500 miles from Colorado to Washington, DC on a human-powered, electric-assist "rocket trike," calling for a national goal of a 100% U.S. renewable electricity grid by 2020.

The ride and goal are backed by prominent environmental and business leaders demanding urgent action from Congress and the White House in response to a deteriorating global climate.

The ride began at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's wind technology center on Sunday, the 48th anniversary of a historic speech by President Kennedy calling on the U.S. to land a man on the Moon within a decade. "The urgency of our economic and planetary meltdown demands a modern-day green energy 'moon shot' for America," Weis said. "We need a call to action from our President today challenging America to once again do something great."

Over eight weeks, Weis plans to visit a dozen states to profile solar, wind, geothermal and efficiency solutions, as well as polluting energy problems like coal burning, nuclear power and mountaintop removal mining. A petition issuing the 100% by 2020 demand is posted at: www.ClimateCrisisSolutions.com.

Sponsor Lester Brown, President of Earth Policy Institute and author of Plan B 4.0, says the 100% by 2020 goal is "achievable," citing precedents for such rapid economic conversions. "During World War II, America mobilized its resources at a stunning pace, leading the Allied Forces to victory in three-and-a-half short years," he said. "We need a similar, American-led green energy mobilization today to save civilization."

Citing the job-producing benefits of renewable energy development, David Blittersdorf, CEO of AllEarth Renewables, Inc., another ride sponsor, said, "Our industry is uniquely poised to put Americans back to work greening the grid. It is time for renewable energy leaders to embrace this bold national goal."

Ride backer Dr. James Walker, past president of the American Wind Energy Association and vice chair of enXco, Inc., agreed: "The wind industry needs to support a crash program to responsibly deploy as much wind power as humanly possible between now and 2020." He cited the industry's creation of 85,000 jobs in the last five years, as well as its cost competitiveness with coal, as reasons to favor wind over polluting energy sources.

Phil Radford, Executive Director of Greenpeace, another sponsor, addressed the urgent need to end coal burning, saying, "Contrary to what the coal industry would have you believe, coal is anything but clean or cheap. Each year, more than 23,000 Americans die prematurely due to coal-fired power plant pollution. No one should have to die to keep the lights on."

"Congress and the President need to endorse this bold goal now," said author and supporter Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and the "world's best green journalist," as described by TIME magazine. "Fossil fuels are wrecking the planet and scientists are telling us we have very little time to act if we want to keep living on Earth."

Actor and activist supporter Ed Begley, Jr. added, "If China can produce 100 million electric bikes, America can produce a new fleet of green-grid electric cars and kick our addiction to oil."

"Nobody can tell me America can't do this," Weis concluded. "We have a long history of fresh, entrepreneurial thinking that uniquely suits us for this historic task. It is time for us to once again step up and help protect the world."

Contact: Tom Weis, President, Climate Crisis Solutions

303-378-1364

tom@climatecrisissolutions.com

AllSun Tracker Installations Take Part in National Solar Tour

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Read our Press Advisory.

AER Engineer John Miller Receives Technical Achievement Award

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

John Miller Earns Renewable Energy Vermont’s Technical Achievement Award

Engineering Director at AllEarth Renewables Honored for Pioneering Renewable Energy Engineering Achievements

Burlington, Vermont…October 1, 2010……John Miller, Engineering Director at AllEarth Renewables, Inc., was honored today at the Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) annual conference at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel in Burlington, Vermont, with their Technical Achievement Award. This award recognizes Miller’s 30-year career as an innovator, electrical designer and pioneer in wind and solar energy instrumentation technology.

David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables said, “This award is a fitting tribute to recognize all John has done in his life to move renewable energy forward here in Vermont, across the U.S. and around the world."

Miller, a resident of Starksboro, Vermont, holds both a bachelor and masters degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Vermont. He met David Blittersdorf when they were both students at UVM’s school of engineering, and began a life-long professional collaboration with Blittersdorf in the early 1980s. This collaboration bore fruit in the form of a wide array of instruments and sensors at NRG Systems, a company manufacturing wind measurement technology that Blittersdorf founded in 1982, and continues with Miller’s ongoing contributions on the electronic systems used in AllEarth Renewables’ in-development residential-scale wind turbine and AllSun Tracker™ solar PV array. Over the past three decades, Miller’s technical, rational approach has complemented Blittersdorf’s zeal for innovation and action.

After UVM, Miller developed industrial controls and microprocessors for small companies, including his own, Senix, which he ran from 1991 until 1999. He worked as a contractor with NRG Systems for more than two decades between 1982 and 2007, offering development expertise as a senior designer for all of NRG’s electronic sensors, instruments and software products. Miller left NRG Systems to join Blittersdorf’s newly founded second company AllEarth Renewables as Engineering Director in 2008. Throughout his career to date, Miller has remained dedicated to designing renewable energy instrumentation that provides innovation and efficiency to the emerging wind and solar energy technology value chain.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Joyce Dicianna, Director of Human Resources, AllEarth Renewables

Direct phone#: 802-777-0151

Email: jdicianna@allearthrenewables.com

About AllEarth Renewables Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com

AllEarth Renewables, Inc., Vermont's only manufacturer of residential wind turbines and the AllSun Tracker™ dual-axis solar electric system, designs and installs grid-connected renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company's goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of the wind and sun for homes and businesses.

About Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) www.revermont.org

Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) is working to bring about an intelligent transformation from a foreign fossil fuel based economy to an economy increasingly based on our own renewable energy. REV is comprised of renewable energy companies, institutional and academic partners and concerned citizens of Vermont. REV member businesses are leading experts in helping homes and businesses generate their own clean power and heat.

"Ride for Renewables" Finds Huge Support for "Green Energy Moon Shot"

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Reporting from Main Street America on his “Rocket Trike,”

Renewable Rider Finding Huge Support for “Green Energy Moon Shot”

Contact: Tom Weis, President, Climate Crisis Solutions

tom@climatecrisissolutions.com, 303-378-1364

October 22, 2010 (St. Louis, MO) – From the wind-swept plains of eastern Colorado to the inner city neighborhoods of Kansas City, citizens and businesses across America are devoting scarce resources to producing renewable energy. They are sharing their triumphs and frustrations with Tom Weis, who today announced his website, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter programs chronicling the “Ride for Renewables.”

“Almost everyone I’ve met on this ride is fed up with the partisanship dividing this country and wants Congress and the White House to put America first,” said Tom Weis, who is leading a 2,500-mile trek across the nation to build public support for a green industrial revolution. “It is time for the two major political parties to stop fighting each other and fight for the American people they were elected to represent.” Citing concerns over an economy and climate in meltdown mode, Weis said, “Outside the Washington beltway, Americans are ready to shift from fossil fuels to a green electricity grid, but this requires bold political leadership.”

With passion reminiscent of Studs Terkel’s intimate conversations with Americans, you can hear the following stories, and more, on Weis’ video blog:

A Kansas farmer talks about installing wind turbines to sustain his family farm for the next generation.
The former president of AWEA says we can shut down all coal plants by 2020.
A top government scientist talks about how the climate is changing 100 times faster than ever before.
A minister appeals to all faiths to embrace solar power.
A World War II veteran appeals for green jobs for veterans returning from overseas.

The ride - launched on the 48^th anniversary of a historic speech by President Kennedy challenging America to land a man on the moon within a decade - calls for a bold national goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2020. Weis has pedaled 1,100 miles in his “rocket trike” and is currently in St. Louis, MO, according to Climate Crisis Solutions.

The “100% by 2020” goal is backed by leading renewable energy experts, industry and environmental leaders and celebrity activists. An online petition to Congress and the White House can be seen at: www.rideforrenewables.com.

Principal sponsor: AllEarth Renewables, Inc.

Vermont Renewable Energy Pioneer to Speak on Climate Change at Washington, D.C. Symposium

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Read the full AER Press Release.

AllEarth Renewables to Install 2.2 MW of Solar Power for Largest Solar Array in the State of Vermont

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

AllEarth Renewables to Install 2.2 MW of Solar Power for Largest Solar Array in the State of Vermont

382 AllSun Trackers™ at the South Burlington Solar Farm Will Produce Enough Electricity to Power More Than 400 Vermont Homes

WILLISTON, Vermont . . . October 28, 2010 . . . . AllEarth Renewables, a Vermont manufacturer of grid-connected wind turbines and solar tracking systems, has received a contract to install 382 AllSun Trackers at a solar farm in South Burlington, Vermont. Final permits have been issued on the project, and construction is scheduled to begin in early November. The installation will be the largest solar array to date in the State of Vermont and is anticipated to be operational on a 32-acre site off of DuBois Drive in South Burlington, Vermont by early 2011.

The AllSun Tracker solar electric system was designed by AllEarth Renewables CEO David Blittersdorf and his engineering team based in Williston, Vermont, and will be manufactured in Vermont.

“This project was made possible through incentives that the State of Vermont passed last year to spur the development of new renewable energy generation,” says Mr. Blittersdorf. “Part of this incentive package was Vermont’s Standard Offer for solar energy which was established at a rate of $0.30 per kWh. This rate provided an economic incentive to develop projects like this and help create sustainable jobs in Vermont’s hard-hit manufacturing sector.”

Because of the enhanced efficiency of the AllSun Tracker technology, which follows the movement of the sun throughout the day with a GPS system, total kilowatt hours produced by the South Burlington Solar Farm are estimated to be over 3,000,000 per year, 45% more than the amount of electricity produced by same number of fixed photovoltaic panels.

The project will be owned and operated by Chittenden County Solar Partners, LLC. AllEarth Renewables has been contracted to perform the installation, which includes design of the solar farm’s electrical infrastructure and oversight and management of all subcontractors, as well as manufacturing the 382 AllSun Trackers required for the farm.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc www.allearthrenewables.com

AllEarth Renewables is a Vermont company that specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of complete grid-connected wind and solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of wind and sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs.

For more information contact:

Anne Bijur abijur@allearthrenewables.com

Marketing and Communications Coordinator 802-777-0153

Download a pdf of this release.

Robinson Elementary School, Starksboro Town, and AllEarth Renewables Install 100 kW of Solar Power

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Students from Robinson Elementary School in Starksboro, Vermont with AllSun Tracker Installation. Photo by Trent Campbell, Addison Independent.

Robinson Elementary School, Starksboro Town and AllEarth Renewables Install 100 Kilowatts of Solar Power

Solar Tracker Installation Will Produce 100% of Electricity Needed by School and Town Offices

Starksboro, Vermont (October 27, 2010) – Robinson Elementary School, the Town of Starksboro, Vermont, and AllEarth Renewables, Inc. of Williston, Vermont have partnered to install 25 AllSun Trackers® on a field adjacent to the school. Over the course of a year, the 100 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic array is expected to produce enough electricity to provide 100% of the electricity used in both the school and the town offices.

“With schools, you need to have more than one reason to do something and this project helps us reach multiple goals at once,” said Dan Noel, Principal of Robinson Elementary. “It fits perfectly with our goal of reducing our environmental footprint, gives a hands-on focus to the energy curriculum, and will save the school money in the long-term as we have locked in our electric rate for at least the next 5 years.”

“This is a great example of a community working together to take responsibility for their energy needs,” said Anne Bijur, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at AllEarth Renewables. “The Selectboard started with a great idea and approached the Robinson School Board who quickly saw how this solar installation could help both the town and school save money. We are especially excited about this project as it is the largest one we have completed for a school. The students will grow up with the idea that solar power is, and should be, a regular part of their everyday lives.”

The AllSun Tracker is a complete grid-connected solar electric system which consists of photovoltaic panels mounted on poles installed in the ground. The system uses a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a dual axis rotation to keep the solar panels at a perpendicular angle to the sun’s rays throughout the day. This maximizes the amount of light reaching the panels, which in turn maximizes the amount of energy generated, providing as much as 40% more electricity than fixed panel installations of the same size. More than 300 AllSun Tracker solar electric systems have already been installed in Vermont to date, representing a total generating capacity of over one megawatt of renewable energy.

About AllEarth Renewables Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com

AllEarth Renewables, Inc. is a Vermont company that specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of complete grid-connected wind and solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of wind and sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs.

For more information contact:

Anne Bijur abijur@allearthrenewables.com

Marketing and Communications Coordinator 802-777-0153

Download a pdf of this release.

AllEarth Renewables and Concept2 Install 23 kW of Solar Power

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact: Anne Bijur, abijur@allearthrenewables.com

Marketing and Communications Coordinator, 802-872-9600

Concept2 and AllEarth Renewables Install 23 Kilowatts of Solar Power

AllSun Trackers™ Solar Electric System Supports Company’s Goal to Reduce Environmental Impact

Morrisville, Vermont, November 18, 2010 – Concept2 of Morrisville, Vermont and AllEarth Renewables, Inc. of Williston, Vermont have partnered to install AllSun Trackers™ at Concept2’s Vermont headquarters on Industrial Park Drive. Over the course of a year, the 23 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic array is expected to produce enough electricity to meet as much as ten percent of the electricity used by Concept2 in making their innovative rowing products. The company’s long term goal is to install additional on-site solar power generation in the future.

“In recent years, we have wanted to install renewable energy,” said Judy Geer, co-owner of Concept2, “but the timing never seemed right. This year we were able to move forward thanks to both federal and state tax credits. Unfortunately, we had to reduce the final size of the project because the state of Vermont ran out of money to completely fund the tax credits before our project was finalized. We hope to be able to expand our use of solar in the future, especially since AllEarth Renewables has done a terrific job of creating a standard product that will work in any good solar site with minimal if any customization required. This made the whole project quite easy.”

“Concept2 is taking a significant step to reduce their environmental impact and is a great example for other businesses to follow,” commented Will King of AllEarth Renewables. “They had already been doing their best to cut their energy use by installing energy efficient lighting and other conservation measures, but they felt it was time to start producing their own power in a renewable way.”

About AllEarth Renewables Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com

Download a pdf of this release.

AllEarth Renewables Hires Long-Term Senior Aide to Rep. Welch

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

PROFESSIONAL NEWS – AllEarth Renewables hires long-time senior aide to Rep. Welch

For more information contact: Joyce Dicianna, Director of Human Resources 802-872-9600 ext 114

WILLISTON, VT -- AllEarth Renewables, Inc. of Williston, Vt., announced today that Andrew Savage will join the company's senior management team as Director of Communications and Public Affairs.

Savage is currently Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) in Washington, DC. He previously directed communications and served as spokesperson for Welch, directed communications for President Barack Obama's successful presidential primary campaign in Utah, and earlier served as Aide to the Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore for Welch. Savage, 29 and a native of Calais, Vt., is a graduate of Middlebury College. He will begin with AllEarth in January.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. (www.allearthrenewables.com )

AllEarth Renewables, Inc., Vermont’s only manufacturer of residential wind turbines and the AllSun Tracker dual-axis solar system, designs and installs grid-connected renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of the wind and sun for homes and businesses.

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AER-Sponsored 'Rocket Trike' Finishes 2,500-Mile Journey to DC

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, renewable energy advocate Tom Weis completed his 10-week "Ride for Renewables" at the Jefferson Memorial after traversing 11 states in his futuristic-looking "rocket trike." He is promoting 100% renewable electricity for the U.S. in ten years, a goal first proposed by former Vice President Al Gore.

"Almost everyone I met during this ride wants to see a modern day, green energy moon shot for America," said Tom Weis, President of Climate Crisis Solutions. Citing massive unemployment, energy dependence, economic turbulence and climate instability as top concerns driving this public desire, he said, "The solution is an American-led green industrial revolution."

Ride backer Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and author of Eaarth, said, "Politicians won't lead until we build a citizens movement powerful enough to challenge the might of the fossil fuel industry. That's what this ride is building towards."

Phil Radford, Executive Director of sponsor Greenpeace, said, "What stands in the way of clean energy for all is the dirty money in politics from the oil and coal industries."

Ride sponsor Lester Brown, President of Earth Policy Institute and author of World on the Edge, warned that emergency action at war-time speed is needed to save civilization from a deepening climate crisis: "During World War II, America completely restructured its industrial economy not in decades, but in months, and we can do it again."

David Blittersdorf, CEO of ride sponsor AllEarth Renewables, Inc., called for greater leadership by the renewable energy industries. "It's time for America's renewable energy trade associations to step up and lead by embracing this bold vision of 100% renewables by 2020," he said.

World Future Council sponsor Randy Hayes, pushing for U.S. renewable energy laws that would allow Americans to profit from selling green energy to the grid, said, "Let's shift from a nation of energy guzzlers to a nation of clean energy producers."

Weis hopes to meet with the President and First Lady, and key leaders of Congress, to share what he has learned on Main Street America. A video blog documenting his journey can be seen at: www.rideforrenewables.com.

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Principal sponsor: AllEarth Renewables, Inc.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Tom Weis will speak at the Jefferson Memorial at 2:00pm today and is available all week in Washington, DC for photo shoots and interviews. Contact: 303-378-1364 or tom@climatecrisissolutions.com.

CONTACT: Tom Weis, +1-303-378-1364, tom@climatecrisissolutions.com

Town of Hinesburg Powered by AllSun Trackers

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The Town of Hinesburg and AllEarth Renewables Install 141 Kilowatts of Solar Power

Hinesburg Becoming Solar Capital of Vermont

Hinesburg, Vermont, December 21, 2010 – The Town of Hinesburg, Vermont and AllEarth Renewables, Inc. of Williston, Vermont have partnered to install 31 AllSun Trackers® on Lagoon Road, south of the town’s wastewater treatment plant. Over the course of a year, the 141 kilowatt photovoltaic array is expected to produce 200,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electrical energy which will provide over 45% of the electricity used by Town-owned meters.

Hinesburg is quickly becoming the solar capital of Vermont. According to the Renewable Energy Atlas of Vermont, this project is the largest municipal solar installation in the state. When combined with other solar electric projects installed by Hinesburg residents and businesses, Hinesburg leads Vermont towns with over 500 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic capacity which produces enough electricity for over 75 homes.

“The Hinesburg community has been very active improving energy efficiency and rolling out renewable energy installations from solar trackers to small-scale wind turbines to solar powered parking lights,” said Alex Weinhagen, Hinesburg’s Director of Planning & Zoning. “This solar tracker installation is another excellent example of how the Town of Hinesburg is moving forward the conversation and the actual implementation of Vermont’s emerging energy future. Together with community members and our business partners, the Town is demonstrating that local and distributed renewable energy generation can and does work.”

“Hinesburg has taken an important step towards energy independence and is leading the way for other Vermont towns,” said David Blittersdorf, President and CEO of AllEarth Renewables. “This project shows great foresight on the part of Hinesburg town government by finding an economical use for land that was otherwise not being utilized.”

The AllSun Tracker is a complete grid-connected solar electric system which consists of photovoltaic panels mounted on poles installed in the ground. The system uses a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a dual axis rotation to keep the solar panels at a perpendicular angle to the sun’s rays throughout the day. This maximizes the amount of light reaching the panels, which in turn maximizes the amount of energy generated, providing as much as 40% more electricity than fixed panel installations of the same size. More than 340 AllSun Trackers have been installed in Vermont to-date, creating over one million watts of renewable power capacity.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com

Download a pdf of this release.

For more information contact: Anne Bijur abijur@allearthrenewables.com

Marketing and Communications Coordinator 802-777-0153

AllEarth Renewables tops Vermont's fastest growing companies in 2010

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.793.9793

AllEarth Renewables tops Vermont's fastest growing companies in 2010

WILLISTON, Vermont . . . January 7, 2011 . . . AllEarth Renewables, Inc., manufacturer and installer of grid-connected wind and solar systems, was Vermont’s 5-year fastest growing company in 2010.

Vermont Business Magazine’s annual “Vermont 100+ Ranking” put AllEarth Renewables first on its annual list of “5-Year Fastest Growing Vermont 100+ Companies,” as measured by sales revenue. The Williston-based renewable energy company reported growth of 5,250 percent and 2010 sales of $10.7 million, up from $0.2 million in 2005.

"In the midst of several years of tough economic conditions locally and globally, it’s welcome news to be in this category as Vermont's fastest growing company of the last five years," said David Blittersdorf, CEO of AllEarth Renewables and founder of NRG Systems. "As we continue our rapid growth, we are committed to producing reliable home-grown energy, creating good Vermont jobs, and manufacturing a locally made product our customers can trust.”

AllEarth employs 25 full-time staff and four seasonal staff, and has installed 382 AllSun Trackers™ generating 2 million kWh of electricity per year. The AllSun Tracker is a grid-connected solar electric system which is pole-mounted and uses a GPS (Global Positioning System) and a dual axis rotation to keep the solar panels at a perpendicular angle to the sun’s rays throughout the day.

In addition, AllEarth Renewables has more than 20 direct-drive wind turbine test sites around the state for its residential-scale Earth Turbine®.

"Our rapid growth is a testament to our team: our engineers, field crews, sales staff and the whole operation, including the many Vermont businesses we partner with for the manufacture and installation of our product, such as NSA Industries in St. Johnsbury and J.A. Morrissey, Inc. in Williston,” added Blittersdorf.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com

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AllEarth Renewables CEO David Blittersdorf joins call for job-creating net metering expansion

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

AllEarth Renewables CEO David Blittersdorf joins call for job-creating net metering expansion

WILLISTON, Vermont . . . January 28, 2011 . . . David Blittersdorf, CEO and president of AllEarth Renewables, Inc., joined local businesses, customers, and state renewable energy manufacturers calling for an expansion of Vermont’s successful net metering program.

"Expanding Vermont’s innovative net metering program will create jobs and provide an incentive for small-scale renewable energy development statewide. The best part— it won’t cost state government a dime and will generate revenue with increased economic growth," said Blittersdorf. "With a few small changes, Vermont could continue to be at the forefront of effective net metering policies.”

AllEarth Renewables, Inc. is a manufacturer and installer of grid-connected wind and solar systems and in 2010 was Vermont’s fastest growing company over the last five years.

Due in part to Vermont’s net metering policies, in just over a year the company installed more than 380 AllSun Trackers™ in Vermont, generating 2 million kWh of electricity per year.

Blittersdorf will join other customers and business leaders testifying today before the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee on the opportunities to expand Vermont’s successful net metering program by increasing the size and amount of allowable projects, expanding the additional financial incentive for solar net metering to Vermonters statewide, and making billing more consumer friendly.

David and Judy Murphy of Montpelier, new customers of AllEarth's, will join the testimony.

Net metering allows Vermonters to generate their own power using small, grid-connected renewable energy systems, such as AllEarth’s AllSun Tracker. If more energy is generated than used, the customer’s electric meter runs backward providing a credit for the value of the electricity produced. See more about net metering, group net metering, and how it work by clicking here.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com

# # #

Business leaders testify in support of net metering expansion

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

Business leaders testify in support of net metering expansion

MONTPELIER, Vermont . . . February 9, 2011 . . . Business representatives that are creating local jobs from the state's net metering projects testified Wednesday before the Vermont legislature in support of the program's expansion.

Doug Goldsmith, chief operating officer at AllEarth Renewables, Ken Pidgeon, president of Engineers Construction, Inc., and Douglas White, project manager at J.A. Morrissey, Inc. all testified on the job-creating economic benefits of Vermont's successful net metering program.

Pidgeon's company is the design/build contractor for the Vermont Air National Guard's 2.2 MW net metered project and installed over 190 foundations for AllEarth's AllSun Trackers™ last year. In the coming months, that number will jump to over 575 trackers. J.A. Morrissey created another division of the company and is cross-training the majority of their staff to meet growing renewable energy business, White testified.

The business representatives spoke Wednesday before the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

Goldsmith testified on the benefits of Green Mountain Power's $0.06/kWh "solar customer benefit" and that the state could see more net metered projects by increasing the size and amount of allowable projects, expanding the additional financial incentive for solar net metering to Vermonters statewide, and making net metering billing more consumer friendly.

"The Green Mountain Power program was established as an incentive for solar development at no cost to ratepayers and is now creating good local jobs," said Goldsmith.

Net metering allows residential, commercial, farm, and municipal customers to produce their own energy and secure stable energy prices. If more energy is generated than used, the customer’s electric meter runs backward providing a credit for the value of the electricity produced. See more about net metering, group net metering, and how it works by clicking here.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com

Net metering boosts economy

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Article published Mar 2, 2011

The two hot words in the energy world these days are “net” and “metering.” A growing number of homeowners, farmers, and small businesses are using net metering as a way to trim their electric bills and help the environment. Few know that the benefits of net metering reach far beyond their rooftops and that it’s one of the best economic development programs in the state.

What exactly is net metering and why is it so good for Vermont?

It started in 1998, when we passed the first metering law. It quickly became clear that this was a trifecta — a triple win. Net metering allows utility customers to save money on their electric bills when they install small renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, at their home, farm, or business and receive credit from their utility for the power they produce. This new power, locally distributed, helps reduce demand on the grid — which in turn helps electric utilities defer costly investments in transmission upgrades, new power plants, and high-priced market purchases. And net metering puts Vermont businesses to work manufacturing, selling, and installing the systems.

About three years ago, Green Mountain Power came up with the idea of offering a “solar customer benefit.” The utility pays customers who install solar net-metered systems 6 cents for every kilowatt-hour they produce, credited toward their bills. While the offer is helpful to its net-metering customers, GMP did this for a sound business reason: The extra cents could help the utility avoid greater costs in the long run. Net metering is part of its larger strategy for creating more distributed generation, which reduces the long-term need for transmission upgrades. That’s why GMP told the Public Service Board that providing this extra incentive would be “economical for its customers.” By encouraging local solar power, GMP could also minimize the need to buy spot power during peak demand times from the New England market, where prices have been at or above what GMP would pay its net-metering customers. Not surprisingly, these customers’ solar panels churn out the most power on hot summer days, when electric demand can surge.

GMP’s small incentive has driven the installation of more than 2.5 megawatts of solar power in its territory, with two-plus megawatts more being built — and with no capital investment by the utility because customers install such systems at their own expense.

Beyond the electrical system benefits, net metering spells jobs. One example is AllEarth Renewables, the state’s fastest-growing company over the last five years, which manufactures GPS-oriented solar trackers that follow the sun throughout the day. The company contracts with other Vermont companies like NSA Industries in St. Johnsbury for its steel components, with Engineers Construction in South Burlington for site work, and with J.A. Morrissey for installation. In five years, AllEarth has added 25 permanent jobs of its own and more than 125 indirect jobs for general contractors, installers, electricians, suppliers, and vendors. Other Vermont companies acting as similar stimulants to our economy include the solar energy firms Alteris and ReKnew Systems. As Vermont was weathering the recession, these companies were growing and hiring.

A priority in the Vermont Legislature is to encourage job creation. One way is to move aggressively to tap the job-creating potential of renewable energy, which has the added benefit of growing a clean, diverse, and in-state electric portfolio. That’s why, since 1998, we have expanded net metering to groups and helped streamline its permitting.

That’s why we need to expand the program further this year, addressing some of the barriers in the way of creating even more jobs and more local energy. Net metering is a perfect fit for a state with a proud tradition of self-reliance, frugality, and producing what we can to meet our needs.

Rep. Margaret Cheney is a Democratic House member from Norwich and vice chairwoman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

Vermont Lt. Governor to Work at AllEarth Renewables on St. Patrick's Day

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

Vermont Lt. Governor going green with work at AllEarth Renewables on St. Patty's Day

WILLISTON, Vermont . . . March 15, 2011 . . . On St. Patrick’s Day Thursday, Vermont Lt. Governor Phil Scott will lend a hand producing local green energy.

Scott will work alongside employees of AllEarth Renewables of Williston, which manufactures and installs solar trackers that use GPS technology to orient to the sun throughout the day.

The work visit is part of the Lt. Governor’s “Vermont Everyday Jobs” initiative.

A veteran of the construction industry, Scott will be anything but green while lending a hand at AllEarth manufacturing solar tracker components and in the field on solar installations.

AllEarth Renewables was Vermont’s fastest-growing company over the last five years and is currently supplying and installing solar trackers for what will be the largest solar development in the state at 2.2 MW. The company has 26 employees.

What: Lt. Governor Phil Scott at AllEarth Renewables for “Everyday Jobs” visit

When: Thursday, March 17 at 1:30 pm

Where: AllEarth Renewables, 94 Harvest Lane, Williston

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com AllEarth Renewables is a Vermont company that specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of complete grid-connected wind and solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of wind and sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs.

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VT lawmakers aim for boost in home-grown electricity

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Read Burlington Free Press article by Joel Banner Baird.

AER featured in Merchant's Bank Vermont Matters Campaign

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Merchants Bank, Vermont's only independent statewide community bank, is celebrating its customers through a new campaign, Vermont Matters. In this video, they highlight their relationship with David Blittersdorf, AllEarth Renewables CEO.

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New England Cable News Features AllEarth in Green Job Growth Segment

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Click here to watch the NECN feature.

Vermont renewable industry hails passage of energy bill

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Vermont renewable industry hails passage of energy bill

New statewide solar adder promises to expand net metering throughout Vermont

MONTPELIER, Vermont | May 5, 2011 - A bill promoting renewable energy development in Vermont and clean energy jobs won final approval by the Vermont legislature late yesterday.

Martha Staskus, Chair of the Board of Renewable Energy Vermont (REV) says the bill helps keep Vermont on the map as a leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency. “The bill will spur the development of new local renewable energy, produce economic growth, and continue to grow clean jobs.”

H.56, The Vermont Energy Act of 2011 continues Vermont’s efforts to promote a green economy and energy independence. It expands and improves Vermont’s successful net metering program and prevents a gap in funding for the successful Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF). This fund leverages private investment to create renewable energy projects.

Net metering allows Vermont ratepayers to generate their own energy with renewable systems and run their meter backwards when producing excess power. Modeled after the successful Green Mountain Power SolarGMP program, which recognizes the peak power savings of net metered solar, the new bill requires utilities to offer a .20¢ credit for every excess kilowatt hour of solar electricity a customer produces.

“The new statewide solar adder gives Vermont homeowners, businesses, non-profits and municipalities the incentive and ability to produce their own solar energy while recognizing the public benefit of distributed solar energy to Vermonters statewide,” added Staskus.

Other provisions in the bill provide incentives for consumers looking to install high efficiency biomass heating systems. It also establishes low sulfur and biofuel mandates for heating oil sold in Vermont, timed to match implementation by surrounding states.

About Renewable Energy Vermont (REV), www.revermont.org

For more information contact:

Scott Merriam, Interim Director, REV

scott@revermont.org

(802) 595-3517

(802) 229-0099

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Download a PDF of this release here.

VT Governor to Sign Energy Bill at Commissioning of 150kW Solar Project in South Burlington

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

For more information contact:

Scott Merriam, Interim Director, REV

scott@revermont.org

(802) 595-3517, (802) 229-0099

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin will sign into law a bill promoting renewable energy development and clean energy jobs in Vermont.

Date: May 25, 2011

Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Location: South Village Communities, 130 Allen Road East, S. Burlington, VT.

H.56, The Vermont Energy Act of 2011 continues Vermont’s efforts to promote a green economy and energy independence. It expands and improves Vermont’s successful net metering program which allows Vermont ratepayers to generate their own energy with renewable systems and run their meter backwards when producing excess power. Recognizing the peak power savings of net metered solar, the new bill creates a financial incentive to catalyze more net metered solar by requiring utilities to offer a 20¢ credit to solar net metering customers for the energy they produce.

Governor, Peter Shumlin is slated to sign the bill on May 25 at the commissioning of a 150kW solar array at the Farm at South Village in S. Burlington developed by Burlington-based Encore Redevelopment and installed by Montpelier’s Alteris Renewables. The array will provide carbon-free electricity for 100% of the Farm at South Village and South Village Community’s energy consumption needs. The array will also provide clean energy to the City of South Burlington for the City’s traffic lights.

Martha Staskus, Chair of the Board of Renewable Energy Vermont (REV), the organization that supported and promoted this legislation says the bill helps keep Vermont on the map as a leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency. “The bill will spur the development of new local renewable energy, produce economic growth, and continue to grow clean jobs.”

The bill also prevents a gap in funding for the successful Clean Energy Development Fund (CEDF). This fund makes it more affordable for Vermont homeowners and businesses to install small-scale renewable energy systems.

The bill includes expansions Vermont’s existing Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) districts, a program that allows towns to offer loans to homeowners looking to make energy efficiency retrofits. Other provisions provide incentives for consumers looking to install high efficiency biomass heating systems. It also establishes low sulfur and biofuel mandates for heating oil sold in Vermont, timed to match implementation by surrounding states.

About Renewable Energy Vermont (REV), www.REVermont.org

REV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing nearly 300 businesses, individuals, colleges and others committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and expanding the availability of renewable sources of energy in Vermont. REV works as the only advocacy organization dedicated solely to advancing renewable energy and efficiency in the state.

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Download a pdf of this REV release.

Vermont owners of solar homes could reap benefits at resale

Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A sun-tracking solar panel stands on a hill above David Murphy’s home and farm in Montpelier on Thursday. Jeb Wallace-Brodeur / Staff Photo

By Bruce Edwards

STAFF WRITER - Published: May 1, 2011

Sticker shock has hit consumers again with ever-higher energy prices, and costs are expected to climb even more this summer.

Consumers can trim their energy bills any number of ways: with fuel-efficient, even hybrid and now electric cars; energy-efficient appliances and lighting; and insulation for the home, among others.

But for homeowners who can make the investment, a net-metering photovoltaic system can pay off in a couple of ways. The systems can produce enough power on sunny days to meet a household’s everyday electrical needs while “banking” the excess to draw off the grid on cloudy days. The other, less talked-about benefit is that a solar net-metering system can add to the value of a home at resale.

A new federal study of California homes found that a 3,100-watt photovoltaic system installed on an existing home boosted the value of the home an average of $17,000 over homes without similar systems.

The research was conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Vermont is not California. The Green Mountain State has more than its share of cloudy days, which may give pause to someone considering investing thousands of dollars to save on their energy bill while reaping a premium when it comes time to sell their home.

Andrew Savage of AllEarth Renewables in Williston said that while Vermont has fewer sunny days than California, the difference isn’t significant.

“I would say that Vermont has more solar capacity than Germany, and Germany has a booming solar market,” said Savage, whose company designs and manufactures grid-connected GPS solar tracking systems for homes and businesses. He said that although it’s more expensive than a fixed solar system, the tracking system captures 40 percent to 45 percent more sun.

Rebates help

Terry Mitchell is no stranger to running a household on solar energy. With a solar-powered second home in the Northeast Kingdom, Mitchell and his wife decided they’d go solar when they built their new primary home in a remote area of Sudbury two years ago.

Unlike net-metering homes, which sell or bank excess capacity back to the power company, Mitchell’s solar home is off the grid. He said that for Central Vermont Public Service Corp. to run a line to his secluded 2,400-square-foot log home would have cost the couple $25,000. Instead, they invested $28,000 in a photovoltaic solar system with 16 solar panels, each 200 watts, attached to a pole behind the house, along with 16 deep cell batteries for storage. They also have a backup propane generator.

“We’re very efficient,” said Mitchell, who owns Mitchell Screen Printing & Embroidery in Pittsford. “We use all (compact fluorescent) lighting; we have a gas cook stove, a gas dryer. We use a propane wall-mount water heater that also runs our radiant heat throughout the entire home.”

While the upfront cost might be too much for the average homeowner, Mitchell said rebates cut the price.

“I think we ended up with $28,000 with everything,” Mitchell said, “but with all the federal rebates, I got almost a third of that back, so we were under $20,000 by the time it was all said and done.”

One thing that still irks Mitchell is that he was not eligible for state energy rebates. Mitchell said he didn’t qualify because the $400,000 home was not producing any power for the grid.

Lease to own

When David Murphy, of Montpelier, bought his home in 2005, he found that at $44,000 a solar system was just too expensive. But with a $1,000 down payment and a five-year lease, AllEarth Renewables installed a 3,100-watt system this year that is saving him money.

“We installed this in January and already my electric bill was way less than half, and we’re not even into the strong production months yet,” said Murphy, who added that his neighbors at first weren’t thrilled with the solar panel array.

Murphy heats his home mostly with wood and runs some of his appliances with gas.

Since most homes with a photovoltaic system are priced in the upper end of the housing market, saving energy and making a green commitment with a net-metering system may have too stiff a price tag for most homeowners or would-be homeowners in the state.

AllEarth Renewables sells and installs a 4,100-watt solar tracking system for $33,600. Alteris Renewables, a Vermont competitor, sells a 5,000-watt fixed solar system for $30,000.

Both companies offer financing and lease programs that bring down the cost, including federal and state tax credits, rebates and grants.

“You get down to about $16,000 when you utilize the state grant and the federal tax credit,” said Leigh Seddon, vice president of Alteris Renewables and the founder of SolarWorks of Vermont.

Those credits bring down the cost of an AllEarth Renewables system to $17,430.

AllEarth Renewables also offers a five-year power purchase agreement with the option of buying the system outright for the fair market value, which currently is $7,880.

Measuring value

Net metering was authorized by the Legislature in 1998. It requires electric utilities to allow customers to cut their electric bills by generating their own power using small-scale renewable energy systems. Excess power is fed back to their respective utilities and shows up as a credit when the system doesn’t generate enough electricity to power the home in any given month.

While the California study concluded that buyers pay a premium for existing solar homes, there is no corresponding data for Vermont.

“We’ve been trying to get the appraisers to quantify that,” said Robert Hill, executive vice president of the Vermont Association of Realtors.

Hill said the association is trying to collect enough data to quantify whether net-metering systems add to the price of a home. He said his best guess is that homes with such a system do command a premium.

“We believe it does, but the banks will only accept it if the appraiser says so,” he said.

Rutland appraiser Sean Sargeant has appraised five new homes, all with off-the-grid solar systems. The homes were valued at $400,000 to $600,000.

Sargeant also said more data need to be collected before concluding how much, if anything, a solar-powered home would command.

“The trouble is we don’t know what the market is going to do with any of those homes (at resale),” he said. “Will a second buyer coming in, will they accept that technology or will they want to replace it, or will they want to connect to the grid?”

High demand

The state Department of Public Service counts 1,204 solar photovoltaic systems that have received certificates of public good, with a total capacity of 9,989 kilowatts.

The state’s three largest electric utilities have a total of 1,100 net-metering customers (mostly solar). Central Vermont Public Service Corp. counts 525 customers, while Green Mountain Power Corp. has 409 customers. Of that latter number, 359 have signed on to the SolarGMP program, which pays net-metering customers a premium for the solar power produced.

Vermont Electric Cooperative has 166 such customers, including 56 awaiting a certificate of public good from the state Public Service Board.

Seddon, of Alteris, said the company has trouble keeping up with demand.

Alteris is also working with a nonprofit group.

“We are working with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group as part of their community solar program, where they’re out getting their members to put solar on their houses,” he said. “So, that has been a big boost to our sales and marketing.”

Ben Hoen, a researcher with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, said it’s safe to assume that Vermont homes outfitted with a photovoltaic system connected to the grid would bring a higher price.

“I think a premium is reasonable,” Hoen said. “The California study not only compared their premiums with the net installed cost of the system but also an estimate on the net present value of energy savings, both of which compared favorably.”

He said that between 2001 and 2009, the net cost to a California homeowner after federal and state rebates was $5 a watt or $15,000 for an installed system.

Hoen added that as the solar power system ages, the premium declines. He also said the premium was greater for existing homes in California with a solar system installed than newly built homes with similar systems. In explaining the difference, he said California homebuilders were likely trying to move new homes as quickly as possible and gave away or greatly discounted the value of the solar add-on.

He also said that homeowners who lease their solar systems are not likely to realize a premium when they sell their home until they own the system outright.

AllEarth Renewables has a mix of customers who buy the system outright or lease. For those who lease, Savage said the home value premium still applies.

“If the power purchase agreement is such that it’s an attractive item … (a) rent-to-own system, it actually could add some value,” Savage said, adding that most of his customers are leasing to own.

Seddon said the resale premium on homes is greater in states with higher electric rates, like Connecticut.

According to the Department of Energy study, approximately 2,100 megawatts of grid-connected photovoltaic power systems have been installed in the U.S. California is the largest market, with approximately 100,000 systems equal to 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity.

At the recent PV America Conference, Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, said the mid-Atlantic and Northeast region is now the largest market for photovoltaic systems in the country. Last year, Resch said, 878 megawatts of solar capacity was installed, more than double 2009. He said a combination of federal and state policies, completion of significant utility-scale projects, expansion of new state markets and declining manufacturing and installation costs drove the expansion.

bruce.edwards@rutlandherald.com

Vermont enacts first-in-nation solar registration

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

Vt. enacts first-in-nation solar registration

WILLISTON, Vermont . . . May 26, 2011 . . . Vermont has enacted a first-in-the-nation registration process for small solar systems, providing a national model for mitigating costly local solar permitting.

H.56, signed into law by Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin May 25, establishes a simple registration process for solar systems 5kW and smaller.

The process, which replaces permitting, allows solar customers to install the system 10 days after completing a registration form and certificate of compliance with interconnection requirements. The utility has 10 days to raise any interconnection issues, otherwise a Certificate of Public Good is granted and project may be installed.

A recent study earlier this year produced by SunRun found that permitting adds an average cost of $2,500 to each solar installation and that streamlining the often cumbersome process would provide a $1 billion stimulus to the solar industry over the next five years.

The report finds that the additional installation cost— $.50 per watt— is due to wide permitting variations not connected to safety, excessive fees, and an unnecessarily slow process. The report cites that Germany has a 40 percent installation price advantage over the United States. Vermont already has a much more cost-effective, free statewide permitting process than most states.

“Cutting unnecessary red tape and costly permitting for small renewables should be a national priority. It will help us meet our energy needs and make domestic solar competitive worldwide,” said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables, manufacturer and installer of the AllSun Tracker.

Mark Sinclair, executive director of Clean Energy States Alliance, says “solar registration is an innovative way to address the high costs and long timeframes that are often associated with installing small-scale renewable energy systems."

The registration process will go into effect January 2012.

Vermont’s legislation also expands the state’s successful net metering program by establishing a statewide solar customer benefit, which gives solar a minimum value of $0.20, increasing the allowable size of net metering projects from 250kW to 500kW, increasing the per utility net metering cap from 2 percent to 4 percent, and improving group net metering billing.

“Vermont has lead the way in creating an installation environment that encourages solar development by reducing permitting time and resources. This continues that leadership,” said Martha Staskus, chair of Renewable Energy Vermont, the state’s renewable trade association.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com AllEarth Renewables is a Vermont company that specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of complete grid-connected wind and solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of wind and sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs.

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Download a pdf of this release.

New ‘solar benefit’ will spur solar, jobs across Vt.

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

New ‘solar benefit’ will spur solar, jobs across Vt.

S. BURLINGTON, Vermont . . . May 25, 2011 . . . With the signing of the Vermont Energy Act of 2011 (H.56) today, a new statewide solar customer benefit will help deliver net metered solar energy and jobs throughout Vermont.

First initiated with Green Mountain Power’s (GMP) SolarGMP program, the 6 cents per kilowatt hour solar benefit helped provide the incentive to over 400 new solar installations. The utility initiated the incentive as a way to reduce peak power and transmission costs and encourage the development of local solar energy.

H.56 expands the solar customer incentive to all Vermont utilities by providing homeowners, businesses, non-profits and municipalities that develop their own net metered projects with an incentive of $0.20 minus the local retail electric rate as a benefit for the solar they produce. In most utilities it will range between $.06 and $.01 per kWh produced. (For example, if a utility’s residential electric rate is $0.15/kWh, the solar customer benefit to the homeowner would be $0.05 for every solar-generated kWh.)

“This statewide solar benefit makes good economic sense. Net metered solar reduces peak demand and transmission costs to Vermonters, while providing an incentive for local solar development and job growth,” said President and CEO of AllEarth Renewables David Blittersdorf, Williston manufacturer of the AllSun Tracker.

Solar energy in Vermont typically produces the most excess— spinning hundreds of net metered electric meters backwards— at the same time that local utilities experience peak price spikes in the summer.

“This is great for our economy and great for the industry,” added President of J.A. Morrissey, Inc., Jeanne A. Morrissey. “By expanding the solar incentive statewide, we expect to both sustain existing jobs and provide new jobs throughout our region of the state.”

The legislation also expands Vermont’s successful net metering program by increasing the allowable size of net metering projects from 250kW to 500kW, increasing the per utility net metering cap from 2 percent to 4 percent, initiating a simple registration process for small solar installations of 5kW and less starting in 2012, and improving the billing of group net metering.

With the changes in H.56, groups net metering will now be able to specify how to allocate the credits that accrue and will be billed directly rather than rely on a group administrator.

Read more about net metering by visiting here.

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Download a pdf of this release.

AllEarth Renewables and CEO featured among "America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011"

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

AllEarth Renewables and its founder and CEO David Blittersdorf has been selected as one of America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011 by Business Week.

The edition of Business Week features the Williston, Vt-based manufacturer of the AllSun Tracker, which uses innovative GPS technology to follow the sun throughout the day to boost solar energy production.

The magazine selected companies by examining their "impact, innovation, and business success." Read the full feature here: http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20110621/america-s-most-promising-social-entrepreneurs-2011/slides/2

"As AllEarth Renewables continues to innovate and begin expanding into new solar markets, it is encouraging to see our business and CEO recognized for the promising future our entire team is committed to seeing," says company spokesperson Andrew Savage. "For three decades David has been a pioneer in the renewable energy industry, developing profitable ventures rooted in a social mission. We are a company committed to innovation in order to make solar more affordable, creating well-paying Vermont jobs, and being part of a clean energy solution."

AllEarth Renewables was Vermont’s fastest-growing company over the last five years according to Vermont Business Magazine and supplies its solar technology for both residential and commercial projects. It is currently completing a 2.2 MW solar tracker farm, which will be commissioned July 27 as the largest solar development in the state.

Business Week writes that it sought "Entrepreneurs creating profitable, scalable companies to solve social problems. We want businesses with social missions baked into their operations, not tacked on as extras. We want companies that can demonstrate results, both in the marketplace and in their missions"

The business magazine is asking readers to vote on the most promising business among the 25 selected through July 12.

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.793.9793

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Vt. solar tracker manufacturer announces statewide expansion with new dealer network

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Williston, Vt.-based AllEarth Renewables has announced a new Vermont dealer- installer partnership, making their innovative solar tracker systems available around the state.

The dealer network expansion coincides with Vermont’s new statewide solar customer benefit, enacted as part of Act 47, which assures net metered solar installations receive at least $0.20 per kilowatt hour from utilities for the energy produced.

AllEarth Renewables, the local manufacturer and installer of the AllSun Tracker, will partner initially with four local solar installers to cover the state:

Solar Tech, of Sutton, will serve the northeast

ReKnew Energy Systems, of White River Junction, will serve the east-central region

BackSpin Renewables, of Middlebury, will serve the western central region

Integrated Solar, of Brattleboro, will serve the southern region

AllEarth Renewables and their subcontractors, such as J.A. Morrissey, Inc. and Engineers Construction, Inc., will continue to provide installations in the northwestern region

“As we look to future markets beyond Vermont, we are committed to continue innovating and growing the business here in state,” said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables. “Homeowners and businesses are demonstrating their interest in the investment of affordable, local renewable energy. This new partnership with several strong businesses around the state will continue to help make solar possible to more Vermonters. The solar market has a bright future here.”

The company’s 4.2kW trackers can be installed through a Power Purchase Agreement for a low up-front cost with the option to buy the system after five years at a significantly reduced rate. A single tracker will produce an average of 490kWh of energy per month, enough to power the majority of a Vermont home.

AllEarth employs 26 full-time staff and five seasonal staff, and has manufactured and installed over 800 solar tracker systems. Their AllSun Tracker uses GPS technology to follow the sun throughout the day to boost solar energy production by over 40 percent.

The Williston-based renewable energy company was recently listed as among 25 of America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011 by Business Week and was ranked by Vermont Business Magazine as the state’s fastest growing company over the last five years.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc. www.allearthrenewables.com AllEarth Renewables is a Vermont company that specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of complete grid-connected wind and solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of wind and sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs.

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

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iPhone marks commissioning of largest solar array in Vermont, largest of its kind in North America

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables, addresses the audience

Governor Shumlin praises the solar farm as example of getting it right in Vermont

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont . . . July 27, 2011 . . . The touch of an iPhone— which brought the last of 382 solar trackers into position perpendicular with the sun— marked the commissioning of the largest solar installation in Vermont and the largest installation of its kind in all of North America.

Manufactured just four miles from the site of the solar farm, 382 AllSun Trackers produced by Williston-based AllEarth Renewables make up the 2.2 MW farm. The pole-mounted trackers use innovative GPS and wireless technology to actively follow the sun throughout the day, producing more than 40 percent more energy than fixed solar.

With inverters on each tracker to boost energy performance, the project is the largest solar installation to use such a configuration in North America.

Attending the commissioning were more than 75 local contractors, engineers, suppliers, developers, parts fabricators, manufacturers, and other workers that had a direct hand in building the project.

“This project not only produces renewable energy from the sun, it creates a lot of local clean energy jobs,” said David Blittersdorf, CEO and founder of AllEarth Renewables. “We’ve innovated and refined our AllSun Tracker so it can be affordably used to power homes or businesses, and at the same time make up a utility-sized farm like this project in South Burlington.”

Part of the state’s innovative Standard Offer program, the farm will sell an estimated 2.91 million annual kWh of power generated by the installation to Vermont’s Sustainably Priced Energy Development (SPEED) Program. The Standard Offer was established as part of the Vermont Energy Act of 2009.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Lt. Governor Phil Scott, and Speaker of the House Shap Smith also spoke at the event.

In June, AllEarth Renewables’ CEO was named by Business Week as one of 25 of “America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs.” The company, which employs 26, earlier this month announced a partnership with four solar installers to provide distribution throughout Vermont.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc.

AllEarth Renewables is a Vermont company that specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of complete grid-connected solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of the sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs. www.AllEarthRenewables.com

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AllEarth Renewables Completes Largest Distributed Solar Tracker Farm in America

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Read the press release sent by SMA, the world market leader for solar inverters, a component that lies at the heart of every solar power system.

Here Comes the Sun - Feature on David Blittersdorf in Wentworth Institute of Technology's Alumni Magazine

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

"David Blittersdorf, MDE '77, has high expectations for the future of his young company: Start cranking out 10,000 residential solar energy systems a year, blanket much of the East Coast, and run big profit margins. And - oh yeah - save the planet." Read the entire article here.

New energy partnership brings solar tracker throughout northern New England

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

A new partnership will bring the innovative Vermont-manufactured AllSun Tracker solar electric system to homeowners and businesses throughout northern New England.

The dealer partnership between installer ReVision Energy and solar tracker manufacturer AllEarth Renewables was announced today.

Designed and manufactured in Williston, VT, AllSun Trackers use innovative GPS and wireless solar technology to follow the sun throughout the day to boost solar energy production by up to 45 percent. The ground-mounted solar systems are designed for homes, businesses, non-profits, and commercial-scale installations.

In northern Vermont, a single 4.2 kW solar tracker will produce an average of 490kWh of energy per month—enough to power the majority of an average New England home.

With offices in Exeter, NH, Portland and Liberty, ME, ReVision Energyis a full service renewable energy contracting company that provides solar engineering, design, installation and equipment services for homes, businesses, municipal buildings and nonprofits. The partnership will bring the locally manufactured solar trackers throughoutNew Hampshire and Maine. AllEarth Renewables previously established a Vermont-based dealer network for their energy system.

“Committed to meeting our growing clients’ needs and interests, the Vermont-made AllSun Tracker has been an excellent addition to our installation hardware. More and more people are excited about the prospect of creating their own source of energy and with the AllSun Tracker they can optimize their production yielding a better return on investment” said Phil Coupe, partner of ReVision Energy.

“We are excited to be partnering with the experienced team at ReVision Energy and to be able to provide our product to other northeastern states. Designed and manufactured to produce more energy from the sun, our trackers make solar practical and affordable for homeowners, businesses, and non-profits,” said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables. “With more than 800 trackers installed in Vermont alone, this new partnership will continue to help make solar possible throughout northern New England.”

The first AllSun Tracker installed by ReVision Energy will be formally commissioned at an event on September 21 at Lakes Region Community College in Laconia, NH.

AllEarth employs 25 full-time staff and five seasonal staff, and has manufactured and installed over 800 solar tracker systems. Blittersdorf, the renewable energy company’s CEO, was recently listed among 25 of “America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011” by Business Week and the company was ranked by Vermont Business Magazine as the state’s fastest growing company over the last five years.

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, AllEarth Renewables

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

Phil Coupe, ReVision Energy

phil@revisionenergy.com, 207.221.6342

###

New solar orchard connects Monitor Barns’ past with present

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

September 23, 2011 . . . The Richmond-based Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) is now harvesting the sun for energy.

Through a new solar orchard, the nationally-renowned VYCC will derive the power for its conservation, education, and agricultural programs from the sun, connecting their two iconic monitor barns in a contemporary way.

The VYCC will formally commission the solar orchard at its annual meeting and celebration -- Denim & Diamonds – tomorrow, Saturday, September 24th.

The statewide training and education organization headquartered in the West Monitor Barn, VYCC has developed an agricultural program over the past four years.

This installation is one more piece in the on-going commitment to revitalize the agriculture and economic contributions of this historic property. In the coming years, the Corps expects to bring the east farmstead back to life, developing the barns for leadership programs that will compliment the VYCC’s broad array of programs.

President Thomas Hark says, “The Monitor Barns and the surrounding land were the epitome of Vermont's working landscape over the first half of the twentieth century and are coming back to life as regional economic engines. After years of decline, this working landscape will thrive again by embracing a 21st Century economy.”

“It is our expectation that the public will be able to get up close and learn how solar works so that Vermont as a whole can have an even more intelligent conversation about our energy future,” added Hark.

Manufactured just seven miles from the new solar orchard, AllSun Trackers produced by Williston-based AllEarth Renewables will produce 84,000 kWh annually.

The 14 pole-mounted solar trackers use innovative GPS and wireless technology to actively follow the sun throughout the day, producing more than 40 percent more energy than fixed solar panels.

“This solar orchard uses renewable innovation to sustain some of the best of Vermont’s past,” said David Blittersdorf, CEO and founder of AllEarth Renewables. In June, AllEarth Renewables’ CEO was named by Business Week as one of 25 of “America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs.”

The AllSun Tracker orchard will supply all of VYCC’s electric needs with excess going to local schools.

Chittenden East Superintendent John Alberghini says, “We couldn’t be more thrilled. Not only will this project cut costs, it will be a valuable part of our curriculum."

One hundred years ago the Monitor Barns in Richmond were a significant part of the regional economy. However, starting in the late 1930’s the farm and the barns began to deteriorate. In 2005, the VYCC successfully restored the West Barn which now serves as the VYCC’s statewide headquarters. In 2008, VYCC purchased the East Monitor Barn and accompanying 165 acres.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc.
AllEarth Renewables is a Vermont company that specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of complete grid-connected solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of the sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs. www.AllEarthRenewables.com

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

Thomas Hark, President, VYCC

thomas.hark@vycc.org, 434-3969 x100

# # #

Vermont-made AllSun Tracker selected as a Top-10 green building product for 2012

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Vermont-manufactured AllSun Tracker has been selected as a top green product for 2012.

The award announcement was made today at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Toronto, Canada.

The tenth annual BuildingGreen Top-10 product award recognizes the most innovative and exciting green building products of the year. Manufactured by the Williston, Vt.-based AllEarth Renewables, the AllSun Tracker was the only solar PV product to receive an award.

The AllSun Tracker is a pole-mounted solar energy system that uses GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day allowing it to produce up to 45 percent more energy than typical fixed systems.

“We are excited to have our AllSun Tracker recognized by BuildingGreen with this Top-10 selection,” said David Blittersdorf, CEO and founder of AllEarth Renewables. “We innovated and designed the AllSun Tracker to produce more energy from the sun, making solar practical and affordable for more homeowners, businesses, and non-profits. With nearly 900 solar trackers installed in Vermont alone, we believe we have a product ready for the northeastern solar market in the year ahead.”

The award was selected by the editors of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec.

According to GreenSpec, a significant driver in the development of green products continues to be the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which awards points for the use of certain products or for the energy and water savings that certain green products can achieve. “Designers of LEED buildings are looking for green products, and manufacturers are responding,” said BuildingGreen founder and GreenSpec executive editor Alex Wilson.

“Our selections of the Top-10 Green Building Products represent a wide range of product types in many different application areas,” added Wilson. “Many of our Top-10 products this year have multiple environmental attributes.”

Other products included among the Top-10 list are a decking product made from recycled carpeting, an innovative LED lighting module, and a toilet that uses a passive vacuum-assist and just 0.8 gallons.

The Top-10 list was composed from new products added to the GreenSpec Directory during the past year or new products covered in Environmental Building News.

About GreenSpec and Award Selection.

GreenSpec is the leading national directory of green building products. Products are selected based on criteria developed over the past 19 years. To allow for an objective review of products, neither GreenSpec nor Environmental Building News accepts advertising or payment for product listings. For information on the awards, visit www.BuildingGreen.com

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc.
AllEarth Renewables is a Vermont company that specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of complete grid-connected solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of the sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs. www.AllEarthRenewables.com

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

# # #

Six-State Tour Launched to Build Resistance to Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Contact: Tom Weis, President, Climate Crisis Solutions
303-378-1364 (mobile)
tom@climatecrisissolutions.com
twitter.com/#!/RenewableRider
facebook.com/pages/Ride-for-Renewables/116769938373719
youtube.com/user/RenewableRider
plus.google.com/113071292388776389749/posts
www.rideforrenewables.com

October 13, 2011 (Phillips County, Montana) – Today, renewable energy advocate Tom Weis kicked
off a six-state tour of resistance against TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline proposal by literally
drawing a line in the sand at the US/Canada border. Over the next 10 weeks, Weis will pedal the
1,700-mile proposed pipeline route to amplify the voices of Middle Americans fighting this foreign
pipeline invasion.

Keystone XL threatens to contaminate the Ogallala Aquifer – the fresh drinking water supply of nearly
two million people and source of one-third of America’s farmland irrigation water – by pumping up to
830,000 barrels a day of tar sands sludge from Alberta to oil refineries in Texas. Despite a corrupt
environmental review process, the Obama White House is “inclined” to approve TransCanada’s
presidential permit on national interest grounds, with a decision expected before the end of the year.
Weis was one of 1,253 people arrested outside the White House this summer for protesting against
the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. He is now headed to the front lines of this impending
confrontation in support of the farmers, ranchers and tribal communities in Montana, South Dakota,
Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas who are defying TransCanada.

A recent study by Cornell University concluded that Keystone XL may destroy more jobs than it
creates. TransCanada’s pipeline is also projected to raise gasoline and diesel fuel prices in the
Midwest by 10 to 20 cents per gallon.

“Letting a foreign corporation use eminent domain to ram a toxic tar sands pipeline through America’s
breadbasket is not in our national interest,” Weis said. Likening the protests against Keystone XL to
the growing Wall Street protests, he said, “We’re seeing the American people rise up against
corporate interests that are running our democracy into the ground.”

Earth Policy Institute President Lester Brown stated, "One of the gravest climate threats to a world
already on the edge is the exploitation of Alberta's tar sands. One of the bravest responses is Tom
Weis' six-state heartland ride to block Keystone XL.”

“President Obama is either with the American people on this or he’s with the oil lobby,” Weis
concluded. “It’s choice time.”

Principal Sponsors: AllEarth Renewables, Inc. & EcoWatch

AllEarth Renewables hires solar industry veteran to direct sales and marketing

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

AllEarth Renewables has hired Bill Kanzer, a 20 year veteran of the solar industry, to direct its sales and marketing.

Kanzer has extensive experience in PV (photovoltaic) sales and marketing, research, product development and information systems.

He joins AllEarth Renewables, the Williston, Vermont-based company that manufactures the AllSun Tracker, a dual-axis solar tracker that uses innovative GPS and wireless technology to actively follow the sun throughout the day, producing up to 45 percent more energy than rooftop solar.

The AllSun Tracker was recently selected as a top-10 green product for 2012 by BuildingGreen.

“I’m extremely pleased and excited to be joining AllEarth Renewables,” said Kanzer. “I believe that we have the opportunity to significantly improve the performance of PV systems and our modular design vastly simplifies system design, supply chain management and installation for systems large and small.”

“Bill’s 20-plus year experience in the solar industry will be invaluable to our company’s growth. As we expand throughout the northeast and beyond, Bill provides us vital experience and industry knowledge to grow our AllSun trackers in new markets,” said David Blittersdorf, President and CEO of AllEarth Renewables.

Blittersdorf was recently listed among 25 of “America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011” by Bloomberg Businessweek.

Kanzer comes from Massachusetts where he was most recently Channel Account Manager for the Eastern U.S. for Tioga Energy, who provides power purchase agreements (PPAs) and owns and operates customer-hosted solar installations. He was formerly the director of marketing for Alteris Renewables (now Real Goods Solar), a leading solar systems integrator. He also founded William And Sun, a strategic marketing and communications firm which specialized in the renewable energy sector. Previously, he served as the director of marketing communications for Evergreen Solar, an American PV panel manufacturer.

Kanzer holds a Master of Business Administration from Boston College and graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

AllEarth Renewables employs 24 and has manufactured and installed over 900 solar tracker systems.

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc.
AllEarth Renewables specializes in the design and manufacture of grid-connected solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of the sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs. AllEarth Renewables was named the fastest growing company in Vermont in 2010, is the 2011 Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. The company employs 24 and has manufactured and installed over 900 solar tracker systems. www.AllEarthRenewables.com

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

International rowing leader Concept2 adds more AllSun Trackers

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Concept2, a world leader in rowing machines and racing oars, knows a little something about energy.

The company helps elite athletes race and train for high-level competition and helps people of all ages and abilities achieve fitness. But the company is also focusing on its own energy use, recently almost doubling its on-site solar production.

Concept2, based in Morrisville, Vermont, installed 4 AllSun Trackers in 2010, but originally wanted more. After space constraints at their headquarters were relieved due to the expansion of municipal sewer to their facility, Concept2 recently installed an additional 3 solar trackers at their manufacturing headquarters.

The 39kW solar tracking installation will produce an average 54,600 kWh per year and cover 20 percent of Concept2’s energy needs.

"When we installed our first four AllSun Trackers last year we didn’t have room for the seven we wanted. When that recently changed we took another look and crunched the numbers carefully,” said Judy Geer, Co-Owner of Concept2. “With a solid return on investment, we saw adding another three trackers to our existing solar as a real win-win: for our business's bottom line and for the environment. We also find our customers appreciate the fact that we're doing our part by using renewable energy.”

Manufactured in Williston, Vermont by AllEarth Renewables, the 7 pole-mounted AllSun solar trackers use innovative GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day, producing up to 45 percent more energy than fixed roof mounted solar panels.

“We know in a competitive business, dollars count. Concept2 is staying ahead of the competition with a solar investment that improves their bottom line while addressing their future energy needs,” said David Blittersdorf, CEO and President of AllEarth Renewables. “Our trackers use the same principle as rowing: produce more energy, more efficiently.”

In June, the AllEarth Renewables CEO was named by Business Week as one of 25 of “America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs.”

About Concept2

Concept2 was founded by Dick and Peter Dreissigacker in 1976. Fresh from Olympic training, the two brothers designed and manufactured carbon fiber racing oars, then went on to create the world’s first air resistance indoor rower. The SkiErg, launched in 2009, builds upon Concept2’s years of experience in designing and manufacturing high-performance training equipment. www.concept2.com

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc.
AllEarth Renewables specializes in the design and manufacture of grid-connected solar renewable energy systems that lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s goal is to provide turnkey products that harness the power of the sun for homes and businesses while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs. AllEarth Renewables was named the fastest growing company in Vermont in 2010 and is the 2011 Lake Champlain Region Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. The company has manufactured and installed over 900 solar tracker systems. www.AllEarthRenewables.com

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, AllEarth Renewables

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

Judy Geer, Co-Owner, Concept2

judyg@concept2.com, 802.888.7971

Vermont Implements Pioneering Solar Permitting Program

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Beginning this month, Vermont has implemented a first-in-the-nation registration process for small solar systems. The program is providing a national model for reducing costly or time-consuming local solar permitting.

With the newly implemented law, small solar systems now have a simple pre-determined process that reduces paperwork and uncertainty and means they can be installed after just 10 days. The new process replaces all permitting for ground- or roof-mounted solar systems 5kW and smaller with a single basic registration form outlining the system components, configuration, and compliance with interconnection requirements.

The local utility has 10 days to raise any interconnection issues; otherwise a permit, known as a Certificate of Public Good (CPG), is granted and the project may be installed.

"As a local installer, this new registration process is enormously helpful. This speeds up the installation process allowing us to avoid wasting time with costly delays for small installations," said Rich Nicol of Solartech, an installer in northeastern Vermont.

A recent study earlier this year by SunRun, a leading national provider of residential solar systems, found that permitting adds an average cost of $2,500 to each solar installation and that streamlining the often-cumbersome processes would provide a $1 billion no-cost stimulus to the solar industry over the next five years.

The report finds that the additional installation cost— $.50 per watt— is due to wide permitting variations not connected to safety, excessive fees, and an unnecessarily slow process. The report cites that Germany has a 40 percent advantage over the United States in installation price.

Vermont’s new registration process, which is free, went into effect at the end of November.

Prior to the new law, before beginning a project, a solar applicant would need to receive a CPG from the state’s Public Service Board, a quasi-judicial agency that regulates electric power companies and energy developments. This process is retained for larger solar installations. When determining whether to grant the CPG for a proposed project, the Board considers whether the project meets statutory criteria, including site-specific environmental criteria, and general issues such as need, reliability, and economic benefit. After the application is filed, there is a 30 day comment period and contested projects are resolved through a public process, beginning with a public hearing.

The legislation, which became Act 47 and was signed into law May 25, 2011, received strong bipartisan support.

While Vermont already had an efficient, no fee statewide permitting process, unlike most states, the solar industry both in and out of state is taking notice.

“It should be a national priority to cut unnecessary red tape and costly permitting for small renewables. Cutting out unnecessary costs will help us both meet our urgent energy needs and make domestic solar more competitive,” said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables, the Vermont manufacturer of the AllSun solar tracker. “We’ve had the Department of Energy, U.S. Senate offices, state governments, and local installers all calling to ask about how we took this simple, common sense step.”

“Solar registration is an innovative way to address the high costs and long timeframes that are often associated with installing small-scale renewable energy systems," said Mark Sinclair, executive director of the national Clean Energy States Alliance.

Many in the industry believe cutting out unnecessary “soft costs” of solar installation is the key to future cost-competitiveness.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently launched the “SunShot Initiative,” which aims to decrease the total costs of solar energy systems by 75 percent before the end of the decade. The DOE believes reaching this goal will make solar energy cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity without incentives, enabling widespread solar deployment across the United States. With residential PV still the majority of deployed solar in the United States, cutting installation costs will be critical to meeting SunShot goal’s.

“We think the Vermont registration process could be a real model to follow nationally,” said Jurgen Krehnke, president and general manager of SMA America. “Reducing the time and resources that go into solar installations is right in line with the DOE’s SunShot initiative and is critical to increasing PV adoption.”

Colorado earlier this year also made solar industry headlines after the quick and bipartisan passage of the “Fair Permit Act,” which prevents state and local government agencies from charging excessive permit and plan review fees to customers installing solar electric or solar thermal systems. The new Colorado law will limit solar permitting and fees to actual issuing costs, not to exceed $500 for residential projects or $1,000 for commercial.

Registration documents:

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, AllEarth Renewables

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

Middlebury College Adds Solar Trackers to its Energy Mix

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

College officials have signed an agreement with Williston-based AllEarth Renewables to create a small solar farm consisting of 34 solar trackers that will produce an average of 200,000 kilowatt-hours annually. The installation’s total kWh will produce enough electricity for a year for one of the college’s residence halls the size of Battell Hall, which houses about 238 students. The solar farm will be located on about 1.5 acres of college land on Route 125, west of McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Middlebury’s science facility.

AllEarth manufactures the innovative solar tracker systems, called AllSun Trackers, that feed electricity into nearby power lines. According to David Blittersdorf, CEO and founder of AllEarth Renewables, the solar trackers, which are mounted on poles, use GPS and wireless technology to actively follow the sun throughout the day, producing more than 40 percent more energy than fixed solar panels of the same size. The company constructs the equipment at its Williston facility, using many parts made in Vermont.

AllEarth will subcontract the installation of the site to Weybridge-based Backspin Renewables, which will begin work in February and complete the project this spring.

“Middlebury College continues to walk the walk in energy leadership. A product of student research in the college’s environmental studies program, this solar farm will put front and center the benefits of advanced solar technology for one of the leading academic institutions in the country,” said Blittersdorf. “We are pleased that Backspin Renewables, a local Addison County solar tracker installer, will build this project.”

“We’re excited to have this system to explore the potential for additional solar power in the future,” said Jack Byrne, Middlebury College director of sustainability integration. “This is a demonstration project that offers an opportunity for student learning and research as well as one more option to explore as we pursue our goal to become carbon neutral by 2016. Staff will also have the chance to gain an understanding of the operational aspects of a solar energy system.”

Byrne added, “It’s good to know that we are producing clean energy and putting some of it back into the grid as well.”

Solar energy is not completely new to Middlebury — solar panels were mounted on the Franklin Environmental Center in 2008 and on Farrell House in 2003 but the new project is significantly larger than the installations on these two college buildings. Byrne said the new system will produce about 15 times the power of the existing panels.

According to Dean of Environmental Affairs Nan Jenks-Jay, students have expressed an interest in developing a solar energy system at Middlebury for several years in a number of academic courses. Most recently, four students in Professor of Economics Jon Isham’s fall semester “Environmental Economics” class wrote a report, “The Cost-Benefit Analysis of a proposed Small Scale Solar Farm at Middlebury College,” concluding that a project with AllEarth would have a positive economic and social impact. In 2010 students in an environmental studies seminar taught by Professor of Environmental and Biosphere Studies Steve Trombulak also recommended the college commission a solar project with AllEarth.

Caleb Elder, an AllEarth Renewables employee and a 2004 Middlebury graduate, had heard about the student interest and approached administrators in 2011 about constructing a solar system. College officials referred back to the students’ work and realized the timing was right for such a project.

Based on current and projected electric rates and at a predicted production of 200,000 kWh annually, the system is expected to save the college about $5,000-$10,000 a year. “From a financial standpoint, this is a low risk project with a positive impact,” said Middlebury College Vice President for Finance and Treasurer Patrick Norton. “At current rates, we will earn money for every kWh produced and we will retain rights to the clean energy credits.”

“Once again, we are grateful to our students for their energy and commitment to sustainability,” said Byrne. “As with the biomass plant, they provided the initial research and interest that helped make this project possible.”

About AllEarth Renewables, Inc.

AllEarth Renewables specializes in the design and manufacture of affordable, turnkey grid-connected solar electric systems. We make our AllSun Trackers to vastly simplify system design, supply chain management and installation for systems large and small. Our goal is to lessen dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating sustainable, well-paying jobs. AllEarth Renewables was named the fastest growing company in Vermont in 2010 and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year in 2011. Its AllSun Tracker was selected as a “Top-10 Green Product of the Year” by BuildingGreen, Inc. In June 2011, AllEarth Renewables’ CEO was named one of 25 of “America’s Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs” by Business Week. www.allearthrenewables.com

Media Contacts:

Sarah Ray
Director of Public Affairs
Middlebury College
802-443-5794
ray@middlebury.edu

Andrew Savage
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
AllEarth Renewables
802-872-9600
asavage@allearthrenewables.com

Largest Solar Installation in Burlington Now Operating

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Rock Point, often referred to as the best kept secret in Burlington, now boasts another exciting addition – a solar installation of 35 solar trackers that will produce 205,000 kWh of power each year, which represents about 60-75 percent of all energy used on the property.

The 147 kW solar installation is a joint project between Rock Point School and the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont as part of a larger commitment by both of these organizations to energy efficiency, real life education and stewardship of the beautiful property on which is school and diocesan buildings are located.

Bishop Ely says, “Beyond the tangible financial benefits that will accrue to the Diocese and Rock Point School as a result of the new Solar Installation, this commitment to renewable energy is one important step in fulfillment of our commitment to energy conservation and renewable energy on Rock Point. I also believe that the Solar Installation offers a wonderful educational opportunity for the Rock Point students and for all of us as we will be reminded daily of the need to do all we can to reduce our carbon footprint and be good stewards of the earth.”

The 35 AllSun Trackers, designed and manufactured by AllEarth Renewables of Williston, constitute a solar tracking system that harnesses the renewable energy of the sun to provide electrical power. The installation, which tracks the sun throughout the day and uses innovative GPS and wireless technology, is net metered, allowing electricity generated in excess of what is needed on the property to be fed back into the grid and credited against the two customers’ bills.

Initially, AllEarth Renewables will own the system so they can take advantage of incentives not available to non-profit institutions. The Diocese and Rock Point School have entered into a 5-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with AllEarth, at the end of which they will purchase the system at fair market value, estimated to be 30% of the original cost of the equipment. Each institution will own a 50% share of the system.

In the spring, Rock Point School science teacher, Kathy Rossman, will work with the Rock Point students to tour groups of younger children from local elementary schools and community organizations around the project to teach them about solar power. The school also hopes establish connections with other educational and environmental programs and non-profit organizations to promote education about renewable energy. As well as sharing the resource, the installation will provide the students with many of their own educational opportunities. Rossman says, “This project will allow our students to make connections between their own habits and lifestyle choices and the impact and influence that they have on our overall energy use.”

From single kindergartners to entire congregations, the joint hope of the school and the diocese is to promote energy efficiency and to educate people about the many benefits of solar power.

Media Contacts:

The Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, Anne Brown, abrown@dioceseofvermont.org; 802-353-1182

Rock Point School, Charlotte Blend, cblend@rockpoint.org; 802-863-1104

AllEarth Renewables, Andrew Savage, asavage@allearthrenewables.com; 802-872-9600

New local energy partnership brings innovative solar tracker to northwestern and central Vermont

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A new partnership will bring the innovative Vermont-made AllSun Tracker solar electric system to homeowners and businesses throughout northwestern and central Vermont.

The dealer partnership between local installer Building Energy and solar tracker manufacturer AllEarth Renewables was announced today.

With offices in Williston, Middlebury, Stowe & White River Junction, Building Energy is an energy services company that provides full service solar engineering, design, installation and equipment services for homes, businesses, municipal buildings, and nonprofits. Building Energy will serve customers throughout northwestern Vermont and Washington County.

Designed and manufactured in Williston, VT, AllSun Trackers use innovative GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day to boost solar energy production by up to 45 percent over roof-top installations. The ground-mounted solar systems are designed for homes, businesses, non-profits, and commercial-scale installations.

A single 4.2 kW solar tracker will produce enough to power the majority of an average Vermont home.

“We are committed to meeting our growing customers’ needs and the AllSun Tracker is an excellent addition to our installation options. More and more people are excited about creating their own source of energy and with solar trackers they can optimize their production and get a better return on investment,” said Nik Ponzio, Solar Engineer for Building Energy.

“We are excited to be partnering with the team at Building Energy and to be able to provide our product to northwestern and central Vermont. Designed right here in Vermont to produce more energy from the sun, our trackers make solar practical and affordable for homeowners and businesses,” said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables. “From Alburgh to Vernon, we are now able to serve Vermonters statewide with our solar solutions.”

The AllSun Tracker was selected as a top-10 green product for 2012 by BuildingGreen.

AllEarth Renewables, named Vermont’s fastest growing company in 2010 and 2011, employs 24 full-time staff and five seasonal staff, and has designed, manufactured, and installed over 900 complete grid-connected solar tracker systems. Blittersdorf, AllEarth Renewables CEO, was recently listed among 25 of “America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011” by Business Week.

For more information contact:

Building Energy

1570 South Brownell Road

Williston, VT 05495

(802)859-3384

www.BuildingEnergyVT.com

Andrew Savage, AllEarth Renewables

asavage@allearthrenewables.com,

802.872.960

Top national Apple supplier welcomes AllSun solar trackers

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

They both have wireless technology. Both use GPS in new, innovative ways. Now Apple’s iPhone and the AllSun Tracker have something else in common with the installation of a new solar tracker farm.

Small Dog Electronics, one of the largest Apple suppliers in the United States, has installed ten AllSun Trackers at their company headquarters.

The 42kW installation outside the company’s Waitsfield, Vt office will make 58,800 kWh/year, providing the power needed to run their retail store in South Burlington, Vt as well as half of the power for the company’s Waitsfield headquarters. The new locally manufactured solar trackers are the latest in a series of investments made by Small Dog Electronics toward a goal of achieving net zero usage of non-renewable energy.

Small Dog’s solar farm includes ten solar trackers manufactured by AllEarth Renewables of Williston, which use innovative GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day to boost solar energy production by up to 45 percent over roof-top installations. The ground-mounted solar systems are designed for homes, businesses, non-profits, and commercial-scale installations.

A single 4.2 kW solar tracker will produce enough to power the majority of an average home.

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin was on hand for a cord cutting ceremony and was joined by Hapy Mayer, COO and CFO of Small Dog Electronics, Andrew Savage of AllEarth Renewables, Nik Ponzio of Building Energy, and Richard Travers, CEO of Freeaire Corporation.

An iPhone was recently used by Governor Shumlin to officially commission the largest solar tracker farm of its kind in North America, a 2.2 MW farm that consisted of 382 AllSun Trackers.

“We chose to use solar electricity because, of all the power sources, it is by far the cleanest and most neutral,” says Don Mayer, CEO at Small Dog Electronics. “This solar farm will greatly help us reduce our carbon footprint, which is an integral part of our mission at Small Dog.”

“It’s great to see an innovative, successful socially responsible company like Small Dog adopting solar,” said David Blittersdorf, CEO of AllEarth Renewables. “With their wireless and GPS technologies, our solar trackers feel a perfect fit for this great company, which is so immersed in the cutting-edge innovations Apple gives the public every day.”

Building Energy, a locally-owned contracting company with 32 full-time employees, is the regional installer of the AllSun Tracker.

“We are very excited to have partnered with AllEarth Renewables to offer installations of their AllSun trackers. There are no other trackers that can rival the sophistication of these units,” said Nik Ponzio, solar engineer and senior manager at Building Energy.

Additional sustainability upgrades at Small Dog include a Vermont-engineered and manufactured Freeaire cooling system in its server rooms and LED lighting installed in all locations.

The AllSun Tracker was selected as a top-10 green product for 2012 by BuildingGreen.

AllEarth Renewables, named Vermont’s fastest growing company in 2010 and 2011, employs 24 full-time staff and five seasonal staff, and has designed, manufactured, and installed over 900 complete grid-connected solar tracker systems. Blittersdorf, AllEarth Renewables CEO, was recently listed as one of “America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011” by Business Week.

1,000th AllSun Tracker installed

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Just down the hill from the science center at Middlebury College, known nationally for its environmental mission and academic programs, AllEarth Renewables’ 1,000^th AllSun Tracker was installed this week as part of the 143kW system.

In a little over 2 years, more solar systems have been installed in Vermont using the AllSun Tracker than any other solar technology. Nearly 4.9 MW of AllSun Trackers have been installed regionally in residential and small commercial systems to-date, mostly in AllEarth’s home state.

Now, the company is busy establishing local installer partnerships in new solar markets.

The 143kW installation at Middlebury College was completed in just 15 working days while training local installation company, BackSpin Renewables.

“We are excited to be able to supply the AllSun Tracker to our customers. By producing more energy with its tracking technology and being easier and quicker to install than roof-mounted systems, the improved pay-back period helps make solar affordable to more customers,” said Chris Eaton, founder of BackSpin Renewables.

In addition to the quick installation process, AllEarth Renewables sells the complete, grid-connected systems so it can be shipped next-day to solar dealers on a single pallet.

“1,000 trackers is an incredible accomplishment for our company. We have a strong track record of manufacturing a high-performing innovative product and we’re now aligning ourselves with smart solar installers that understand the value and ease of solar tracking technology,” said David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables. “Our dealers recognize the value the increased energy production of trackers and the ease of ground-mounted systems.”

Blittersdorf, AllEarth Renewables CEO, was recently listed among 25 of “America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011” by Business Week.

Of the 1,000 trackers, some highlights include:

A solar tracker farm in South Burlington, Vt. that is the largest of its kind in North America at 2.2MW
More than a dozen “solar orchards” for schools and municipalities (including the University of Vermont, the Town of Starksboro and its school, and the Town of Hinesburg), businesses (including Concept II, Champlain Orchards, Small Dog Electronics and American Flatbread), and non-profits (including Vermont Youth Conservation Corp and Yestermorrow).
Earning the Top-10 Green Products of the Year Award (2012) from BuildingGreen magazine

AllEarth Renewables has established a dealer installer program for the distribution of AllSun Trackers and is seeking to expand its geographic reach.

Named Vermont’s fastest growing company in 2010 and 2011, AllEarth Renewables employs 24 full-time staff and five seasonal staff.

For more information contact:

Andrew Savage, AllEarth Renewables

asavage@allearthrenewables.com, 802.872.9600

Woodstock Aqueduct Co. advances energy leadership with new solar tracker orchard

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Operating in its third century, the Woodstock Aqueduct Company has a long history of providing reliable water service to its village and local customers. Now, the private regulated utility founded in 1886 has chosen innovative solar technology to keep competitive and improve its sustainability.

Woodstock Aqueduct Company, located in Woodstock, Vt., has installed a 14 solar tracker, 60kW orchard
near its main pump house.

The Aqueduct Company’s largest utility expense is pumping water and it regularly amassed utility bills
that are close to $2,000 per month.

"If we are going to be responsible for our energy use we need to invest in and support energy sources
consistent with our need to maintain and enhance the quality of our natural resources. What better
choice can a water company make than clean, renewable solar power," said Eric Wegner, vice
president and general manager with Woodstock Aqueduct. “We had originally priced out fixed
solar at our site, but AllSun solar trackers made the finances work. So we went with it.”

The Company was one of the first Vermont utilities to take advantage of the then newly created Efficiency
Vermont incentives to install variable frequency drives on their well pump motors, significantly reducing
both their demand and electric usage.

The new solar orchard includes 14 AllSun Trackers manufactured locally by AllEarth Renewables of
Williston, Vt., which use innovative GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day to
boost solar energy production by up to 45 percent over roof-top installations. The ground-mounted solar
systems are designed for homes, businesses, non-profits, and commercial-scale installations.

The project will provide an estimated 82,320 kWh of solar energy to the utility.

The Aqueduct Company, a regulated utility, chose to finance the project using a 5 year Power Purchase
Agreement. This agreement allowed the utility “to prove the finances work and make the case before
regulators that this is good for ratepayers,” added Wegner. "If you can make it a good deal for your
customers and the environment why wouldn't you do it?"

The Aqueduct Company is no stranger to conservation and educational initiatives. The utility has
360 acres of forestland surrounding their reservoir in the state's Current Use Program for active land
management. When the forestry class at nearby Woodstock Union High School lost their land for
teaching demonstrations the company offered the use of its land. As local students gain knowledge about
forest management and where their water comes from, the new solar trackers will provide a new learning
opportunity for students, hopes the Aqueduct Company.

“This project is another great example of using solar to both improve the bottom line for a business,

while enhancing the company’s mission and providing educational benefits for the public,” said David
Blittersdorf, CEO of AllEarth Renewables.

AllEarth Renewables, named Vermont’s fastest growing company in 2010 and 2011, employs 24 full-
time staff and five seasonal staff, and has designed, manufactured, and installed over 900 complete
grid-connected solar tracker systems. Blittersdorf, AllEarth Renewables CEO, was recently listed as one
of “America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs of 2011” by Business Week.

The AllSun Tracker was selected as a top-10 green product for 2012 by BuildingGreen magazine.

Media Contacts:

AllEarth Renewables, Andrew Savage, asavage@allearthrenewables.com; 802-872-9600
Woodstock Aqueduct Company, Eric Wegner, 802-457-4497

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City of Rutland Announces Proposed Solar Project for City Hall

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Rutland and local manufacturer announce proposed solar project for City Hall

Rutland, VT – April 16, 2012… A proposed solar farm in the City of Rutland would bring both clean energy and taxpayer savings to the City.

Rutland Mayor Christopher Louras announced today a proposal developed by AllEarth Renewables, a Williston solar manufacturer, for a 150kW solar farm located at the old poor farm off of Woodstock Avenue.

Under the project proposal, the City will both receive the clean solar energy and receive a 5 percent savings -- approximately $2,050 annually -- on its electric bill for the power the installation produces.

The proposed farm will produce an average 205,000 kWh per year using the Vermont-made AllSun Tracker and is expected to produce enough energy to supply City Hall, the City’s Jeffords Amtrak Station, and a portion of Giorgetti Arena. The 26 solar trackers would use approximately 1.5 acres.

“This is a win-win-win for the City. Taxpayers save immediately on the City’s electric bill, the City gets the benefit of clean, locally produced energy, and we are able to kick-start a very promising Solar City initiative. This initiative helps transition Rutland into the 21st Century,” said Louras.

Rutland is poised to see significant growth in solar investment and energy innovation, as Green Mountain Power has committed to making Rutland Vermont’s “Solar City,” as part of its merger with CVPS. “This proposal dovetails perfectly with our vision and plans for Rutland,” said Mary Powell, president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power. “We are thrilled to see the start of a new era of investment and innovation in Rutland, and are enthusiastic about our ability to work along with others to make it happen.”

AllEarth Renewables has initiated several successful municipal projects with the towns of Hinesburg and Starksboro, as well as recent projects with the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, and Vermont Electric Coop. The Vermont manufactured technology uses innovative GPS and wireless to follow the sun throughout the day to boost solar energy production.

“We are excited to be working with the City of Rutland on this innovative proposal. This proposed project is a great example of using solar to both produce local clean energy and deliver energy savings to customers,” said David Blittersdorf, CEO of AllEarth Renewables.

The project will also serve as an education tool, said Mayor Louras.  “We think this project will help support positioning Rutland as a center for energy innovation and provide a great local educational tool for our City’s students and residents.”

“This is a great example of a public-private partnership that brings renewable energy into the forefront. It is just one more way that Rutland is moving forward in a positive direction,” Sustainable Rutland’s Carol Tashie said. “We believe renewable energy must be a part of any community’s sustainability plan and this project offers the City of Rutland the opportunity to be a real leader in these efforts.”

AllEarth Renewables, named Vermont’s fastest growing company in 2010 and 2011 and Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce "2012 Business of the Year" has designed, manufactured, and installed over 1,000 grid-connected solar tracker systems. The AllSun Tracker was selected as a top-10 green product for 2012 by BuildingGreenmagazine.

Media Contacts:

Mayor Christopher Louras, City of Rutland, 802-342-2468
AllEarth Renewables, Andrew Savage, asavage@allearthrenewables.com; 802-872-9600

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