Press Releases


Energy series focus is solar energy

March 22, 2007 6:00 AM

WESTPORT — The Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance, Westport River Watershed Alliance and Lloyd Center for the Environment are sponsoring the South Coast Renewable Energy Series, a sequence of expert-panel forums to disseminate information about the use of alternative energies.

The third forum, Residential Solar Energy — What's New? will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Westport Middle School Auditorium, 400 Old County Road.

The forum is free and open to the public.

The organizations have invited a variety of experts and enthusiasts to make up the panel: Tom Wineman, Clean Energy Design; David Beavers, The Cadmus Group; Bob Chew, Solar Wrights; Dan Porrazzo, GRO Solar; and Steve Weisman, SEBANE. Town representatives will be present, including Ron Dipippo, Dartmouth Alternative Energy Committee chairman, and David Dionne, Westport selectman and Alternative Energy Committee member.

A few local residents using solar panels will talk about their operation. Following the panel's presentation, the forum will consist of open dialogue among attendees and panelists. It is the intent of the sponsoring organizations that this event improves regional understanding of the issues surrounding the production of solar energy. Topics to be discussed include siting requirements, solar photovoltaic versus solar thermal energy, costs and grant opportunities, the process, and if there are any associated environmental impacts of installing panels on residential property.

Renewable energy resources are essential to the environmental health of the planet, but such technology must be constructed and sited in ways that maximize efficiency, organizers said.

The final forum focusing on biofuels will be held Wednesday, April 4, at a location to be announced. For further information on the sponsoring organizations, visit lloydcenter.org, cfsema.org/programs_services/seeal.htm and wrwa.com. For forum information, contact Jennifer Marshall, jmarshall@seeal.org or at (508) 996-8253.