Search Results

Become a member of CENH and support clean energy in the Granite State. MEMBERSHIP The knowledge, connections, and network to advance clean energy in New Hampshire. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS TRANSFORMING THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY. We build relationships among people and organizations using a fact-based approach that offers objective, balanced, and practical insights for transforming the Granite State’s clean energy economy and sustaining its citizens’ way of life. Support from our members enables us not only to continue our vital work, but to share their voices with those who need to hear them the most. Whatever drives you, be it high energy costs, the economy, jobs, expansion of renewable energy, or the impacts of climate change, membership with CENH is the best way to support clean energy in the Granite State. 100+ # OF BUSINESS MEMBERS VIEW BUSINESS MEMBERS # OF MUNICIPAL MEMBERS 50+ VIEW MUNICIPAL MEMBERS # OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS 550+ BECOME A DONOR Membership - Business BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP Clean Energy NH works with businesses across New Hampshire’s clean energy economy in a variety of ways - from industry collaboration to public education and policy engagement. To ensure strong alignment and meaningful participation, we ask prospective business partners to complete a brief interest form. After reviewing your submission, our team will schedule a conversation to learn more about your goals and identify the most appropriate engagement pathway. Nonprofits are eligible for a discounted rate. Learn how we are taking action for the business community. Membership - Municipality MUNICIPAL MEMBERSHIP Municipal membership supports New Hampshire communities in planning and implementing clean energy and energy efficiency projects. We work with local energy committees, municipal and school staff, and community leaders to provide trusted guidance and education that helps communities save money and meet local sustainability goals. JOIN NOW JOIN NOW Learn more about our work with communities. Membership - Individuals INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Clean Energy NH is dedicated to lowering energy costs for Granite Staters and accelerating our transition to a clean energy future. We advocate for smarter energy policy, support local communities, and provide fact-based, unbiased information on clean energy, energy efficiency, and how we power our homes and businesses. We’ve updated the way you can support this mission. Instead of an annual “membership” structure, we now invite individuals to contribute as donors - giving what works for you, when it works for you. DONATE HERE Learn about how we are fighting for NH's clean energy future. BENEFITS FOR OUR SUPPORTERS

Become a member of CENH and support clean energy in the Granite State. MEMBERSHIP The knowledge, connections, and network to advance clean energy in New Hampshire. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS TRANSFORMING THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY. We build relationships among people and organizations using a fact-based approach that offers objective, balanced, and practical insights for transforming the Granite State’s clean energy economy and sustaining its citizens’ way of life. Support from our members enables us not only to continue our vital work, but to share their voices with those who need to hear them the most. Whatever drives you, be it high energy costs, the economy, jobs, expansion of renewable energy, or the impacts of climate change, membership with CENH is the best way to support clean energy in the Granite State. VISIT OUR LIST OF MEMBERS MEMBERSHIP LEVELS AND BENEFITS BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP We’re addressing NH’s high energy rates by promoting innovation and the development of a long-term clean energy policy that will provide business opportunities, attract new industries, and inspire financial investments in the Granite State. Our members represent nearly 20 sectors of the economy, far beyond the energy industry. Learn more about how CENH is taking action for the business community. JOIN NOW JOIN NOW JOIN NOW JOIN NOW JOIN NOW JOIN NOW Nonprofits are eligible for a discounted rate. Membership - Business Membership - Municipality MUNICIPAL MEMBERSHIP We're experienced in assisting local energy committees, municipal staff, school staff, and community leaders in the pursuit and successful completion of clean energy and energy efficiency projects so NH's municipalities can save money, become energy independent, and meet their sustainability goals. Learn more about our local energy solutions work. JOIN NOW JOIN NOW Membership - Individuals INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Clean Energy NH is dedicated to lowering energy costs for Granite Staters and accelerating our transition to a clean energy future. We advocate for smarter energy policy, support local communities, and provide fact-based, unbiased information on clean energy, energy efficiency, and how we power our homes and businesses. Learn more about how CENH is fighting for NH's clean energy future. We’ve recently updated the way you can support this mission. Instead of an annual “membership” structure, we now invite individuals to contribute as donors — giving what works for you, when it works for you. DONATE HERE BENEFITS FOR OUR SUPPORTERS

Clean Energy NH’s Energy Circuit Riders help municipalities and small businesses plan, finance, and implement energy-saving upgrades, renewable energy generation, fleet electrification, and other projects that advance clean energy in New Hampshire communities. Working side-by-side with community leaders and business owners, Energy Circuit Riders provide capacity and expertise to support informed decision making and successful projects. ENERGY CIRCUIT RIDERS NEW HAMPSHIRE No-cost technical assistance for NH communities and businesses. HANDS-ON PROJECT SUPPORT IN YOUR COMMUNITY About Clean Energy NH’s Energy Circuit Riders (ECRs) help municipalities and small businesses plan, finance, and implement energy-saving upgrades, renewable energy generation, fleet electrification, and other projects that advance clean energy in New Hampshire communities. Working side-by-side with community leaders and business owners, Energy Circuit Riders provide capacity and expertise to support informed decision making and successful projects. We can help with: ✔️ Project identification/prioritization ✔️ How-to guides, examples, and case studies ✔️ Funding plans & grant writing ✔️ Lists of qualified contractors ✔️ Warrant article drafting ✔️ Community engagement strategies ✔️ Connections with other communities ✔️ Questions and road blocks as they arise ABOUT THE PROGRAM 416 416 416 416 # OF ACTIVE CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS # OF COMPLETED CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS 131 131 131 131 # OF NH COMMUNITIES SUPPORTED 144 144 144 144 ENERGY PROJECTS ACROSS NEW HAMPSHIRE Communities all across the Granite State are taking action on clean energy - from energy efficiency upgrades and solar installations to innovative resilience projects. Our Energy Circuit Riders work directly with municipalities, businesses, and local energy committees to turn ideas into results. The Active Municipal Project Mix includes solar arrays, weatherization efforts, EV charging infrastructure, and energy efficiency upgrades — reflecting the diverse ways New Hampshire towns are embracing the clean energy transition. Explore the map to see projects underway, along with the main and remote offices of our four municipal Energy Circuit Riders and the territories they serve. VIEW ACTIVE PROJECTS VIEW ACTIVE PROJECT MIX ENERGY IN ACTION: STORIES FROM THE FIELD Our Energy Circuit Riders are on the ground across New Hampshire, helping communities and businesses bring clean energy projects from idea to reality. From municipal solar arrays to energy efficiency upgrades, these stories highlight the impact of their work and the partnerships driving change. Explore how energy is in action across the Granite State. From Diesel to Electric: Lancaster’s Loader Leads the Way The Lancaster Transfer Station sounds a little different these days. In April 2025, a new, fully electric wheel loader showed up for duty and has been hard at work ever since. The new machinery was paid for in part through a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant from New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES). Lancaster is among a growing number of communities across the state using NH DES funding to purchase more efficient and all-electric heavy duty v Nov 11, 2025 Carroll’s LED Streetlight Project Paves the Way for Future Energy Initiatives In a small town like Carroll, even modest energy projects can make a big difference. That’s why the town’s Energy Commission identified the transition to high-efficiency LED streetlights as their first major initiative. “This was the low-hanging fruit,” explained members of the Energy Commission. It was a relatively simple project with significant cost savings for the town. Support from Clean Energy NH , neighboring communities that had already made the switch, and guidance f Oct 31, 2025 Honoring the Past While Powering the Future with Solar at Wilkins Lumber Tucked away in Milford, New Hampshire, Wilkins Lumber has been milling wood since the late 1700s, weathering generations of change in the industry. But recently, the family-run business made a bold leap: they went solar. And it all started with a simple motivation: reducing their carbon footprint and saving money. A Legacy of Innovation Wilkins Lumber’s story is steeped in history. Originally powered by water from a canal-fed pond, the mill eventually pivoted to steam, and t Jul 29, 2025 1 2 3 FREE ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND FARMERS Small businesses and farms are at the heart of New Hampshire’s economy and community life. Yet rising energy costs can strain their operations and long-term sustainability. Through our Energy Circuit Rider program, Clean Energy NH helps business owners and farmers explore energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy solutions that strengthen resiliency, reduce costs, and create lasting stability for the future. MORE INFORMATION READY TO DIVE IN? LET'S GO! 1 CONTACT US Clean Energy NH's Energy Circuit Riders are available to support projects statewide. The scope of our support my vary based on our capacity and your unique needs. Contact us for a consultation and we'll do our best to help! CONTACT US 2 RESOURCES Clean Energy NH has a growing library of resources to help you move your project forward, including case studies, templates, how-to guides, vendor lists, funding sources, and more. BROWSE RESOURCES 3 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) Learn more about the program's history, impact, and services. Find answers to common questions and learn more about how ECRs support communities across New Hampshire. VIEW FAQS I'm proud to work with Clean Energy NH because they amplify the voices of local leaders and help turn big energy goals into real, on-the-ground progress. ~ Zeke S., Kensington The ECR Team Our Team. MEET THE ENERGY CIRCUIT RIDER TEAM Clean Energy NH is headquartered in Concord, New Hampshire, with Energy Circuit Riders based in regions across the state to provide local, hands-on support. Four municipal Circuit Riders live and work in the communities they serve, while two Small Business Circuit Riders work around the state on helping businesses and farms lower costs and improve resilience. The program is led by our Energy Circuit Rider Program Director, who supports communities statewide as needed. SARAH BROCK Circuit Rider Program Director FRANK RICHTER Energy Circuit Rider (Monadnock) MELISSA ELANDER Energy Circuit Rider (North Country) GABE CHELIUS Small Business Energy Circuit Rider KATRIN KASPER Energy Circuit Rider (Seacoast) KATHARINE CUSACK Small Business Energy Circuit Rider DOUG COGAN Energy Circuit Rider (Sullivan County) KEEPING ENERGY SUPPORT FREE FOR NH COMMUNITIES Clean Energy NH’s Energy Circuit Rider Program is offered at no cost to communities, small businesses, and agricultural producers across the state - thanks to the generous support of foundations, federal grants, and our donors and members. You can help keep these vital services free for all New Hampshire communities by becoming a member or making a donation today .

The completed 128-panel solar array on the museum rooftop Written by Andrew Bullock, Executive Director at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum At the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum (MKIM) in Warner, NH, everything we do is rooted in a deep respect for the natural world. For more than 35 years, our museum has invited visitors to explore 20,000 years of ongoing Native expression — from breathtaking beadwork and baskets to wooded trails and a living arboretum. Central to Native American philosophy is the concept of “treading lightly on the Earth,” a principle that has guided indigenous peoples across generations. That same principle guided us through one of the most ambitious undertakings in our museum’s history: a comprehensive clean energy transformation that is now complete — and has exceeded our hopes. A Four-Part Project Built for the Future Our $302,000 energy project was a carefully planned, four-component effort designed to move MKIM toward energy self-sufficiency and long-term financial resilience. 1. A Professional Energy Audit.  We partnered with SEEDS, a professional energy auditing firm, to conduct a thorough Level II Energy Audit of our facility, funded in part by a grant from the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). The audit gave us a complete picture of our energy use through thermographic imaging, heat load calculations, and a detailed cost-benefit analysis — serving as the master planning document for everything that followed. 2. Energy Efficiency Improvements.  Based on the audit’s findings, we implemented targeted efficiency measures — tightening the building envelope and improving insulation to maximize the performance of our new systems. 3. A 51 kW Solar Array.  Our museum building has a large, completely unobstructed south-facing roof — an ideal canvas for solar. We installed a 120-panel, 51 kW photovoltaic system that now generates approximately 60,000 kWh (60 megawatt-hours) of electricity per year, far exceeding our annual consumption of about 40,000 kWh (which now includes electric heating). On a typical sunny day, we produce more than 300 kWh — and we were even treated to a front-row seat during the April 2024 solar eclipse, when our production monitor showed output drop to nearly zero as the moon’s shadow passed over Warner! The solar production monitor shows a dramatic decrease in production during the partial eclipse in April 2024. 4. Replacing Oil Furnaces with Air-Source Heat Pumps.  Our 30-year-old oil furnaces have been replaced with commercial air-source heat pumps powered by our solar electricity.  We originally kept our old oil furnaces in case we needed backup on the coldest New Hampshire days, but the heat pumps have easily kept up with our heating needs. The Results: Better Than We Imagined Two years in, the project is delivering on every front — and then some. We have generated 60 megawatt-hours of clean electricity in each of the past two years and have virtually eliminated our utility bills. The reduction in energy costs we projected has become a reality, freeing up an estimated $22,000 annually that can now go directly toward programming, exhibits, and the continued growth of this institution. But the benefit we didn’t fully anticipate — and one that genuinely delights us — is what reliable, affordable heating has done for our calendar. In the past, the cost of heating the museum through a New Hampshire winter forced us to close our doors every November and remain shuttered until early May. This year, for the first time, we are open two days a week all winter long. That means our community, our local visitors, and travelers who find us in the off-season can now experience Native American history, art, and culture year-round. For a museum whose mission is to keep these living traditions visible and accessible, that is an extraordinary development. Winter visitors enjoy Native American games, but can warm up inside now. On the environmental side, the project eliminates an estimated 55,000 pounds of CO₂ from our annual footprint — a meaningful contribution from a small institution with a big sense of responsibility to future generations. A Community Effort, and a Community Thank-You A project of this scale doesn’t happen without a village. The $302,000 total was made possible through an extraordinary coalition of support: a leadership donation from Elizabeth Janeway; grants from the Community Development Finance Authority, the Mascoma Foundation , and two grants from donors through the NH Charitable Foundation ; a business tax credit made possible by the federal Inflation Reduction Act; an incentive from Eversource ; and the generosity of many individual donors. We are deeply grateful to every person and organization who helped make this happen. The project also gave us a new story to tell our visitors. We’re connecting the dots between traditional Native wisdom about living in harmony with the earth and the very real, very practical tools available to all of us today. New Hampshire does not have a federally recognized Native tribe or a reservation, making MKIM one of the only places in our state where residents can connect with living Native American culture. We are proud to be a greener, more financially resilient, and more welcoming institution — open to our community even in the heart of winter. If you’d like to visit, support our work, or simply learn more, we hope to see you soon. About the Author Bullock has a 35-year association with MKIM, having been instrumental in the formation of the collection, as well as serving as a founding member of the Board of Trustees. Director Bullock received his BA in Native Studies from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, and has served as Executive Director at MKIM since 2018. About the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum is an educational and cultural center in Warner, NH, connecting visitors with 20,000 years of ongoing Native American expression through artifacts, exhibits, programming, and a 12-acre campus. Founded in 1990, MKIM welcomes over 8,000 visitors annually, including 2,000 schoolchildren from across New Hampshire. Now open year-round, the museum invites all to explore the rich, living heritage of Native peoples. Learn more at www.indianmuseum.org .

You may not have realised it, but the Lee Public Library has quietly become one of the most forward-thinking buildings in town.  For years, Library Director Hayley Van-Gils has been used to juggling big dreams with small-town realities. The process of renovating has spanned decades, and has ranged from considering entirely new buildings and capitol campaigns to remodelling attempts, with significant efforts from library staff and trustees to complete the additions and basement remodelling Every improvement required back-and-forth meetings with the Select Board, tight budgets, and patient explanations about what a modern library actually is.  Solar on the roof of the Lee Library As Hayley and library patrons can tell you, it’s not just a place for books. It’s a community living room. A safe after-school hangout. A warm place during winter storms. A space where someone new to the area can spend long days with young children and feel less alone. “If we had no books in the building,” Hayley says, “we would still be a community space.” Now, the library has taken on its most ambitious project yet: a municipal solar and battery storage system that will transform it into a true resilience hub for Lee. From Complicated Process to Community Model For towns like Lee, energy projects can feel daunting. Katrin Kasper, Clean Energy NH’s Seacoast Energy Circuit Rider, who lives in Lee, first connected with the library years ago. Through that early involvement, she saw firsthand how complicated it can be to move energy projects forward in small towns. “There really wasn’t anyone who knew what we needed to do to make sure projects got done,” she explains. When she joined Clean Energy NH, she was excited to become that person: someone towns could call to understand funding opportunities, navigate paperwork, and learn what had worked elsewhere. Working with the Lee Library became a proving ground. Together, they explored what once felt out of reach—solar panels, battery backup, long-term savings—and turned possibility into a plan. Why Solar and Batteries? Lee experiences two to six power outages each year. Some last days. One cold February in 2023, a generator failure at the public safety complex. Another day, the old town hall, which resides next to the library, lost power and battled bursting pipes. The library, notably, has never had a generator. When the power went out, it simply closed, sometimes for up to a week. And yet, when the lights go out, access to books, information, and community support is exactly what people need most.  As a parent who once brought her children to the town’s emergency warming center, which was warm but featured cold concrete floors, folding tables, plastic chairs, Katrin has seen firsthand the benefits of the library serving in this role instead. Renovated, welcoming, filled with light, it already felt like home. Why not make it resilient, too? Battery units in the Lee Library basement The answer became a 17.835 kW solar array (41 high-efficiency 435W panels paired with Enphase microinverters) and three Enphase 10C battery units. The system is designed to generate 110% of the library’s electricity load, with room for future upgrades like heat pumps. Battery storage will maintain critical systems for at least 48 hours during an outage, until the sun returns, and then the system can run indefinitely. That means heating controls, cooling, lights, water pump, refrigerator, microwave, and essential computers will continue running. In winter, it provides warmth. In summer, it cools the building down, perfect for community members to enjoy the space on a hot summer day. The Budget Reality For a small library running on a tight annual budget, electricity isn’t just a line item, it’s a stressor. “Our most recent electric bill was astronomical,” Hayley explains. When utility costs spike, the money has to come from somewhere else. Programming. Books. Digital subscriptions. All of these things define the library’s daily impact for the surrounding community. The Friends of the Library often step in to fundraise and soften the blow, but the tradeoffs are becoming overwhelmingly real. When electricity costs more, something else gets less. Solar changes that equation. It stabilises operating costs and frees up dollars for what matters most: community services. The library will even install a public display so visitors can watch energy production in real time. In a building devoted to learning, the solar array becomes a teaching tool. “I cannot wait until the minute we have some sun and I see those numbers rolling in,” Hayley says.  Building Access, Building Resilience This project builds on a track record of thoughtful investment. In recent years, the library secured three American Library Association grants focused on accessibility, including funding dual-height sinks, automatic door openers, and improvements to the wheelchair ramp. Every change reinforced a simple principle: everyone belongs here. Solar and battery storage help make that happen.  When the next storm knocks out power in town, the Lee Public Library won’t go dark. It will glow. Lights on. Heat running. Doors open for the community. And that feels perfectly aligned with what Hayley has said all along: a library isn’t just a place to borrow books. It’s where a community gathers, learns, and takes care of one another, even when the grid goes down.

Name: Jack Paloucek Title: Energy Efficiency Employer: Eversource Energy City/Town of Residence: Claremont NH Education: Montana State University - Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science w/Soil Science Minor Why did you decide to work in the renewable/clean/clean energy industry? I had always been interested in Sustainability in general, not necessarily clean energy specifically. But my life bath after graduating was all over the place, which I am thankful for and I will give a quick snapshot of! After University, I had the opportunity to live and work in New Zealand, where I lived in a rural area, played rugby, and was a consultant for farmers putting together farm sustainability plans. This was during COVID so everything was short lived, which eventually pushed me in the direction of moving to Boston, I worked as a field technician for an environmental remediation company. I was on an oil spill response team, and was confined space rescue certified, it was amazing experience, and no two days were the same. From there, I pursued and acquired my EMT certification to try and become a firefighter in probably the most competitive first responder market in the US...Boston. Despite getting near perfect scores in the written and physical exam, without any connections in the civil service space, I was simply "on the list" until my EMT expired which was two years. During that time, I was also pursuing my growth as a rugby player, which eventually saw me play in Dallas, for some of their inaugural season in Major League Rugby. My commitment to sustainability has always been in the background of my many different life experiences, it was just finding the right opportunity to dive in and fully immerse myself in building a career in it. While I am thankful for all of those different life experiences, I am even more thankful to be in a fulfilling, challenging, and growing field surrounded by very knowledgeable people. What interested you in working at your current employer? It was perfect timing really, I was recovering from an injury that left me unemployed, and I saw the opening for a contract to hire position at Eversource. After some research, and finding out that Eversource is the #1 Energy Efficiency provider in the nation, and the largest utility in New England, I knew it was going to be tough to get in. While the company (and I) both knew that I had limited experience in Energy Efficiency, I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to work in this space. Every day I am learning something new, meeting new people, and helping people that really need it. Describe the work you do in more detail. As an Energy Efficiency Consultant, I work with the Large Commercial and Industrial customers in NH to reduce their energy use. I do this by working with our contracted vendors to conduct audits, identify energy conservation measures, provide recommendations, facilitate connections, and drive energy savings. Which ultimately helps our customers build resiliency, save on O&M costs, and reduce energy costs long term. There is also a sales aspect to our job in NH, we have energy savings goals that we need to achieve as a public utility that is assigned by the Public Utilities Commission, so it is also my job to contact these customers, identify energy savings, and educate them on our program. The NHSaves program is how we educate these customers, it is a brand name operated by all of the utilities in NH, there are no NHSaves employees. By using this NHSaves brand, I am able to apply incentives to any energy savings, this money is to incentivize these customers to make more energy efficient decisions. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? Bringing Eversource customers value is the most exciting part of this job. I have always been interested in helping people, in any capacity. And it is simple, being able to help people understand energy and assist them on where to focus is the hardest part. In a complex space, what I like to focus on that customers really seem to appreciate is what can have the most "bang for their buck". Even assisting in ways that may not be in my job description, like references, or my personal opinions, I love that, there are no shortage of questions in the energy space. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why?  Fortunately, and unfortunately, we are slightly behind our neighboring states, which means that we have the ability to make progress exponentially. But New England in general is spearheading this clean energy transition, energy is expensive, and we have no choice but to work together on building resiliency, and tackling this effort. We are all blessed to be in this space, as we are further ahead in this energy transition than most, and I am confident that the work we are doing in Energy Efficiency will not be going away. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? Education. Whether that be educating the public, the legislature, or even our children, education will be the most pressing challenge in my opinion. There is so much immediate content at our fingertips, sifting through that to find what is the most accurate and up to date information, and how to succeed in this industry at scale with that correct information, that is the challenge. What interested you most about being part of YPiE? (Young Professionals in Energy) I heard about it as soon as I joined the energy space, and following along with other likeminded professionals is amazing to see and be a part of. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? NETWORK. As much as we love (some of us) being hermits, joining meetings and conferences via online platforms is easy, but not the most effective in building lasting, trusting relationships. As soon as those meaningful connections and relationships are built, the success of your career in this industry will follow. What do you like to do when you aren't working? Fishing, Hiking, Skiing, and my new hobby, Mountain Biking! All with my 2 dogs of course. A typical weekend for me is... Stressing about having too many new hobbies, and choosing which one to do, while simultaneously feeling guilty for leaving some out. What's on your bucket list? I would love to explore southeast Asia. Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you. I was a professional rugby player. Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Black Coffee, and when I am feeling fancy, I will mix up a home latte with frothed milk, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Fave NH Restaurant? A new discovery for me... Buba Noodle Bar in Manchester Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? I love all music, which I know is a copout, but lately I have been listening to a lot of Charley Crockett. Fav Recreational activity? Mountain Biking, probably because it is a new hobby and I am getting better every time I go.