A bulk purchase of solar energy panels arranged by the town in an effort called “Solarize Freeport” saved 41 property owners $72,000 on the installation of the panels, say Freeport officials. Now that Solarize Freeport is reaching its conclusion, the person behind the concept, Planner Donna Larson, is seeking other ways of encouraging Freeport residents to take part in energy conservation.
To that end, Larson has scheduled a Freeport Energy Summit for Saturday, Nov. 7. Everyone is invited to attend the informal meeting at the Town Hall, from 9-11:30 a.m.
“I want to see if there are other things out there that we can do,” Larson said. “It’s just an opportunity to brainstorm. I’m hoping to have a take-away of two projects that we can get to right away.”
Larson said she is totally open to people’s suggestions. Perhaps a congregate purchase of installation, or energy-saving LED lighting would work, she said.
“The Solarize Freeport people told me there are many people interested in these issues,” Larson said. “Going to monthly meetings won’t be necessary. If a group comes up with an idea, I have to look at it and say, ‘Can I do that?’”
Larson gave an example of WindowDressers, a Maine nonprofit that cuts wooden window frames and provides them, along with kits, for people to install in their homes.
“I have the template for bulk purchase of installation,” she said. “The wood is cut and the kits are provided. You install it. We could do this.”
Even another iteration of Solarize Freeport is possible, Larson said. May 2 was the deadline for this year’s signup. Insource Renewables of Pittsfield and Assured Solar Energy of North Yarmouth teamed up to install the solar panels.
“The installers did a terrific job,” Larson said. “If people think we need an extension of it, then we can ask the installers.
Vaughan Woodruff, owner of Insource Renewables, said that he is open to such a suggestion.
“There have been discussions whether to continue that for another round,” Woodruff said.
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