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Clean Energy Resources For Organizations ORGANIZATIONS Granite State Hydropower Association (GSHA) is a non-profit trade association for the small-scale independent hydropower industry in New Hampshire. Members of GSHA own, operate and manage 49 hydroelectric facilities located in 36 towns and cities throughout the state, totaling 54.9 megawatts. Link: www.granitestatehydro.org New Hampshire's statewide chamber of commerce, promoting a healthy climate for job creation and a strong New Hampshire economy. Link: www.biaofnh.com NH Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is the leading resource for business advising and education for small businesses in the Granite State. Link: www.nhsbdc.org New Hampshire's local chapter of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) whose members include professionals dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. Link: www.nhashrae.org New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR) convenes, inspires and supports businesses and their community stakeholders to build a more sustainable and prosperous state for all. Link: www.nhbsr.org NH Saves is resource provided by a local coalition of energy companies and providers to help make homes, businesses and towns more sustainable and more comfortable places to live and work, both now and in the future. Link: www.nhsaves.com EDUCATION & TRAINING CCSNH is a public system of higher education consisting of seven colleges located across NH. All colleges in CCSNH are accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, the same entity that accredits 4-year colleges and universities in New Hampshire. Link: www.ccsnh.edu WORKFORCE The Community College System of NH (CCSNH) is leading efforts to enhance Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. These grants support the development of new Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, provides funding for related instruction at NH’s community colleges, and supports outreach to employers who wish to expand work-based learning at their sites. Link: www.apprenticeshipnh.com Stay Work Play provides a job board and career opportunities for residents in and /or looking to move to New Hampshire. Link: www.stayworkplay.org FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES The New Hampshire Department of Energy provides funding for various clean energy initiatives throughout the year. Check back regularly. Link: www.energy.nh.gov/rules-and-regulatory/funding Transportation excellence in New Hampshire is fundamental to the state's sustainable economic development and land use, enhancing the environment, and preserving the unique character and quality of life. Link: www.nh.gov/dot Securing funding is critical to the success of efforts to implement alternative fuels, advanced vehicle technologies, and fuel-saving strategies. Funding opportunities for Clean Cities coalition projects are available from many sources inside and outside the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Link: www.cleancities.energy.gov/funding-opportunities/ EERE’s mission is to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050, and ensure the clean energy economy benefits all Americans. Link: www.energy.gov/eere/funding/eere-funding-opportunities The US Department of Agriculture runs the Rural Energy for America Program, focused on renewable energy systems and providing energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loans & grants. Link: www.rd.usda.gov The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission has frequent RFPs for grants and government contracts related to clean and sustainable energy. Check back regularly. Link: www.puc.nh.gov/Home/requestforproposal.htm The New Hampshire Community Development Finanace Authority (CDFA) has frequent RFPs for grants related to clean and sustainable energy. Check back regularly. Link: www.resources.nhcdfa.org/working-with-cdfa/grants-system/ Can't Find Quite What You're Looking For? CONTACT US

COMMUNITY POWER BRINGING NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS CLEANER ENERGY AT COMPETITIVE RATES WHAT IS COMMUNITY POWER? Under a Community Power program, a local government such as a city, town, or county, may procure electricity on behalf of its their residents and businesses on a competitive basis. Community Power programs enable economies of scale associated with bulk purchasing power to lower electricity costs for communities. Community Power programs democratize energy sector governance by enabling local communities to choose where their electricity comes from. By bypassing outdated regulations and legacy technologies, these programs can harness private-sector innovation to lower costs for customers and provide other energy services. Electric distribution utilities (e.g., Eversource, Liberty Utilities, NH Electric Cooperative, and Unitil) continue to deliver electricity to customers via their transmission distribution systems. Community Power is sometimes referred to as “ municipal aggregation ” or “ community choice aggregation .” WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? By aggregating purchasing power across a community, and by having greater flexibility in energy contracting than regulated utilities, Community Power programs can harness private sector innovation to lower costs for their customers. Community Power programs may choose to purchase power based on other attributes such as renewable sources. Community Power programs can also be a vehicle to construct local renewable energy projects to be the source of power for the program. HOW DOES A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FORM A COMMUNITY POWER PROGRAM? The first step for a local government to implement a Community Power program is for the local governing body – select board, town council, city council, or county commission – to form an electric aggregation committee to develop a Community Power Plan. Multiple towns, cities, or counties may group together to form committees to develop these plans. Once the Community Power plan has been finalized it must be approved for implementation by the local government’s legislative body (e.g., town meeting vote, city council vote). NH COMMUNITY POWER PROVIDERS HOW DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY POWER? View our downloadable PDF here or contact us at hello@cleanenergynh.org . Municipal members with Clean Energy NH receive exclusive technical assistance on topics such as community power. Become a municipal member for the latest updates and information on community power, energy efficiency, funding opportunities, and more.

With your contribution to Clean Energy NH, you are powering the technical assistance we provide to local communities, show support for smart policies that will help New Hampshire residents feel more comfortable in their homes while reducing energy waste, and protect Granite State clean energy businesses, their workforce and their interests at the State House in Concord. DONATE TO CLEAN ENERGY NH Support clean energy progress in the Granite State. YOUR HELP TODAY, SHAPES TOMORROW Your support makes a real, measurable difference right here in New Hampshire. At a time when federal and global efforts can feel distant or slow, local action is where your charitable dollars have the most immediate and powerful impact. By donating to Clean Energy NH, you're investing in smarter policies, cleaner communities, and a more resilient energy future - all driven by grassroots momentum. DONATE HERE BENEFITS FOR OUR SUPPORTERS WAYS TO GIVE Monthly giving is a convenient way to show your support for our organization each month, while being easy on your budget and reducing our fundraising costs. Select 'Make this a monthly donation' via the online donation page . Many employers offer donation matching or workplace giving programs. Ask your HR department if you can support Clean Energy NH through payroll deductions or year-end contributions—your gift could be doubled! A donor-advised-fund (DAF) allows you to support CENH using a flexible, tax-smart giving method. Contribute cash or assets to your DAF for an immediate tax deduction, then recommend a gift to us at any time. It’s a simple way to make a lasting impact. Donating appreciated assets like stocks can provide significant tax benefits while supporting our mission. Contact us at hello@cleanenergynh.org for transfer instructions. Give a gift in honor or memory of someone special to share your commitment to a sustainable, healthy future for New Hampshire in their name. A gift of $1,000 or more gives us the flexibility to direct support where it’s needed most. Major Donors receive expert access to our team, invitations to exclusive events, and special recognition on our website. Donations submitted through this site are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and are processed in U.S. dollars. Clean Energy NH d/b/a New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association is a U.S. nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. I f you wish to pay via check, please make checks payable to "Clean Energy NH" and mail to: Clean Energy NH, 125 N. State Street, Concord, NH 03301

Chad M. Whittaker, J.D. is the founder of Pure Source Consulting , specializing in community solar procurement and public housing authority engagement across the Northeast. Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) play a critical role in supporting low-income communities across the United States. Through direct property ownership and administration of programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers and Section 8, PHAs collectively serve millions of households, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and families earning below area median income. As community solar programs expand across the Northeast, many states have prioritized or incentivized the inclusion of low-to-moderate income (LMI) participants. On paper, PHAs appear to be ideal partners—offering scale, stability, and alignment with program goals. In practice, however, engaging PHAs in community solar has proven to be more complex than many developers initially expected. While many developers attempt to engage PHAs through direct outreach or informal discussions, these approaches rarely result in executed agreements. Participation in this segment of the market typically requires a formal, compliant procurement process that allows housing authorities to evaluate providers in a transparent and structured manner. In New Hampshire, this dynamic is currently playing out as public housing authorities begin to more actively evaluate community solar through structured procurement processes. Why PHAs Are Difficult to Onboard Community solar providers often encounter several structural challenges when working with PHAs: Administrative Constraints PHA leadership teams frequently operate with limited staff while managing multiple programs and compliance requirements. Energy procurement is rarely their sole focus. Governance Structure Even when executive staff support a project, final approval typically rests with a Board of Commissioners, adding additional layers to decision-making. Federal Oversight and Compliance Many PHAs receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), requiring adherence to federal procurement standards, including the HUD Procurement Handbook and applicable federal regulations. These requirements can significantly influence how agreements are structured and awarded. Procurement as the Pathway to Participation For community solar providers seeking to work with public housing authorities, procurement is not a procedural step-it is the pathway to participation. Unlike traditional commercial subscribers, PHAs must follow formal procurement processes to evaluate and award contracts. Without a structured and compliant framework, even well-qualified providers may never reach the point of contract consideration. Effective procurement processes can: Provide transparency and confidence to Boards and executive staff  Ensure compliance with HUD and applicable regulations  Allow for meaningful comparison between developer proposals  Align project terms with both financial and operational goals of the PHA  In New Hampshire, housing authorities exploring community solar are using formal RFP processes to evaluate qualified providers in a compliant and transparent manner. As a result, successful participation in this segment of the market often depends on a clear understanding of public-sector procurement requirements and how they apply specifically to community solar agreements. Aligning Community Solar with PHA Objectives Beyond procurement, successful engagement also depends on understanding how community solar interacts with broader PHA priorities. For example: Subscription agreements may influence operating budgets and utility expenses  Participation can intersect with existing initiatives such as Energy Performance Contracts  Certain program structures can influence how federal operating support is calculated, in some cases improving overall financial outcomes for the housing authority beyond direct utility cost savings when properly aligned  By addressing these considerations early, community solar providers can better align their offerings with the needs and constraints of PHAs. A Current Example in New Hampshire In New Hampshire, the Manchester Housing & Redevelopment Authority (MHRA)—the largest public housing authority in Northern New England—is currently issuing a community solar-focused RFP as part of its evaluation process. Serving more than 2,000 households through its housing programs, MHRA represents the type of scale and stability that many community solar projects seek, while also reflecting the administrative and regulatory considerations unique to public-sector entities. By utilizing a structured RFP process, MHRA is working to ensure that any selected partners can meet both the operational needs of the authority and the compliance requirements associated with federally supported housing programs. Opportunities of this nature are time-sensitive and require alignment with procurement timelines established by the authority. Closing the Gap As more housing authorities pursue community solar opportunities, one of the most important determinants of success is whether the procurement process is structured in a way that aligns with both the authority’s operational needs and its compliance obligations. Community solar presents a significant opportunity for PHAs and the low-to-moderate income communities they serve, but successful participation requires more than developer interest. It requires a process that allows housing authorities to evaluate proposals clearly, compare providers fairly, and move forward with confidence under the procurement standards that already govern them. That is where Pure Source Consulting comes in. Pure Source was established specifically to help public housing authorities navigate community solar procurement at a high level. By operating at the intersection of community solar, public housing, and HUD compliance, Pure Source supports PHAs through the full community solar RFP process—from education and strategy to RFP development, proposal evaluation, and contract execution. This work is designed to help ensure that community solar RFPs are not only issued, but successful: structured to attract qualified providers, aligned with the authority’s objectives, and positioned to deliver meaningful value to the housing authority and the communities it serves. As interest in community solar continues to expand, the quality of the procurement process will play a major role in determining which opportunities actually result in executed agreements. For housing authorities seeking to participate effectively, and for providers seeking to engage them successfully, that process matters.

Tucked away in Barrington New Hampshire, the Barrington Public Library is many things: a place to read, learn, and attend community events. What’s easy to miss, though, is that the building itself is doing a lot of work behind the scenes, using far less energy than a typical public building and saving the town money year after year. As far back as the early 2000s, it was already clear that Barrington’s former library space was too small for a town growing toward 9,000–10,000 residents. Professional assessments and visits to other libraries across New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts consistently reached the same conclusion: the existing building could not support the evolving role libraries were being asked to play. At the same time, there was a long-standing and understandable concern among some residents that a new library wasn’t necessary. From that perspective, what Barrington already had felt “good enough.” The Library's solar panels soaking in the sun For members of the Barrington Library Foundation, this became one of the most important challenges of the project—not overcoming opposition, but engaging with it thoughtfully. Rather than dismissing concerns, Foundation members made a deliberate effort to seek them out, listen carefully, and respond respectfully, including on social media. The goal was to acknowledge those perspectives while also sharing a broader vision for a library that could serve the entire community, both now and in the decades ahead.“We knew we had to bring people along with us,” says Roger Gingrich, a retired physician who moved to Barrington in 2012 and became involved with the Foundation. “That meant making sure people felt heard and understood at every step.” That emphasis on communication shaped the entire process. Community members, volunteers, town agencies, and multiple committees were involved throughout, with regular updates and open channels for feedback. Having a community member who was serving as the library trustee chair and had previously served as a Select Board member proved especially valuable, helping navigate town processes and keep communication clear and coordinated. For Cindy Hoisington, a member of the Barrington Library Foundation, energy efficiency has long been part of everyday life. After moving to Barrington in 2001, she worked with New Hampshire Saves to retrofit her 1978 Cape-style home, gaining firsthand experience with how efficiency upgrades can improve comfort and reduce costs. Cindy brought that experience with her to the library. “When the town was able to purchase a former medical building and convert it into a library, we saw a real opportunity,” Cindy explains. “We could create a space that worked better for the community and cost less to operate over time.” The goal wasn’t just to create a new community space, but to build an efficient, well-performing building. Utilizing the cherry wood from the previous businesses' door, builders fashioned the bookshelves, windowsills, and other furniture out of the wood, while other functional material, such as the cabinetry, was donated to a nonprofit to reduce waste during the renovation. Layout of the Library's Rooftop Solar Roger Gingrich and his wife moved from Iowa where they lived in an all-electric home with a geothermal HVAC system. Once in Barrington, they built a 5-star energy certified, all-electric home with a solar powered geothermal HVAC system. Roger, seeing the need for a new town library, joined the effort through the Barrington Library Foundation. A lifelong learner with a strong personal commitment to sustainability, he saw the project as a chance to connect education with practical action. “The library is already about learning,” he explains. “It made sense for the building itself to reflect those values.” Community feedback reinforced that idea. Listening sessions, surveys, and social media made it clear that residents strongly supported sustainability and solar to be part of the plan. Working with SMP Architects and Bauen Corporation, the Building Committee focused on both energy production and energy conservation from the start. How Air-Source Heat Pumps Work (Source: MA Clean Energy Center) The result is an all-electric library that relies on air-source heat pumps for heating and cooling, an energy recovery system that captures about 70% of the heat or cooling from outgoing air, a variable refrigerant flow system, and high levels of insulation and air sealing. LED lighting is used throughout the building and parking areas, reducing electricity use and maintenance needs. Solar plays a major role as well. The library’s rooftop and ground-mounted arrays—147 panels total—produce an estimated 74,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. In August, solar generation covered roughly 90% of the building’s electricity use, with only a small amount drawn from the grid. These choices add up to significant savings. The projected energy utilization per square foot will be about 30, which is well under the oft-sighted 70 benchmark value for a public library. Energy costs over the library’s first year of operation are currently being monitored. The Library's solar is ready for action Now that the building is complete, the Foundation is thinking about what comes next. Rather than stepping back, members are exploring how the library can continue to serve as a practical example for the community; sharing what worked, hosting conversations about efficiency, and building long-term support for the library through an endowment. The Barrington Public Library shows that energy-efficient buildings don’t have to be flashy or complicated. With thoughtful planning and community input, they can be comfortable, affordable to operate, and well suited to the role they serve.

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 .