Search Results

New Hampshire opportunities for careers in clean energy and the energy efficiency industries. CAREERS IN ENERGY Come for the mission, stay for the team. CENH OPPORTUNIES Clean Energy NH (CENH) is working to advance a clean energy economy for all of New Hampshire. We deliver policy and technical expertise to empower businesses, municipalities, and policymakers to make informed energy decisions to lower costs, improve sustainability, and realize the other benefits of New Hampshire-based energy solutions. CENH has played a leading role in crafting and defending key policies in support of the transition to a clean energy economy and serves as a key liaison to local decision-makers who are seeking to reduce their energy spending and achieve their clean energy goals. Working in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry, professionals can take pride in their work knowing that it is for everyone’s benefit. Working on clean, renewable energy sources is better for our state's economy, environment, public health and preserving our natural resources. This industry helps to make a tangible, positive impact. FEATURED POSITIONS ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES NH Dept. of Energy Apply to ReVision Energy IGS Energy Palmetto Starcube Starcube Eversource TRC Companies

New Hampshire's premier annual energy conference for local energy champions, policymakers, municipal officials, state agencies, and industry representatives. LOCAL ENERGY SOLUTIONS (LES) CONFERENCE The annual conference is NH's premier energy event for local energy champions, policymakers, municipal officials, state agencies, and industry representatives. SAVE-THE-DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2026 REGISTRATION OPENING SOON SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS LES26 SPONSORS LES26 EXHIBITORS LES26 SPEAKERS 2026 SPONSORS 2026 EXHIBITORS 2026 Sponsors 2026 Exhibitors 2025 EVENT PHOTOS Capturing the moments of the event was courtesy of Rooted in Light Media . 2025 PRESENTATIONS INTERACTIVE DIGITAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FROM PAST CONFERENCES Did you miss the conference the past couple of years? Well, you're in luck. We've compiled a playlist of all our main speaker sessions on YouTube along with past conference programs. 2025 Contact List & Presentations 2025 Conference Interactive Digital Program 2024 Conference Audio Recordings 2024 Conference Interactive Program

New Hampshire’s leading clean energy advocate. We're dedicated to supporting policies and programs that strengthen our state’s economy, protect public health, and conserve natural resources. LEADING THE CHARGE FOR A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE Educating concerned residents, organizations, and community leaders. Advocating for New Hampshire's clean energy transition. EXPLORE : COMMUNITY RESOURCES VISIT RESOURCES DRIVING A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE Working toward a clean energy future here in New Hampshire is a big responsibility, and far too large for one person or organization to tackle alone. So we've built a coalition of clean energy champions, made up of local communities and residents, elected officials and leaders, and organizations committed to a more sustainable future, who are on the front line building a cleaner, greener future right here in the Granite State. BUILDING ENERGY POLICY CONSENSUS To make the successful transition to clean energy, we need structural solutions. The best way to do that is to work with our local elected officials, because they have the power to make New Hampshire a leader in responsibly developed clean energy policy. And as a watchdog at the state agency that regulates essential utility services, the legislature, and around the state, Clean Energy NH has been critical in creating and defending the state's foundational policies that encourage developing an educated workforce, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. BECOME PART OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S LEADING CLEAN ENERGY COALITION "Energy is a complicated issue. Clean Energy NH is doing an amazing job trying to educate everybody - from legislators in Concord to municipalities, homeowners associations, and our cities and towns. And I think the only way that this is going to be successful is if we're all working on this as a group, as a team, and working on it together. Clean Energy NH pulls everybody together and really does look at this as a system. I'm proud to support Clean Energy NH." - Steve Walker, Evari WILL YOU HELP US MAKE THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Never miss the latest news, action alerts, recommended reading, events, and more. SUBSCRIBE JOIN US AT AN UPCOMING EVENT 2026 Local Energy Solutions (LES) Conference Nov 12, 2026, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101, USA Learn more BECOME A MEMBER Show your support by becoming a member and joining us in the fight to build a cleaner, greener Granite State! JOIN OUR COALITION EXPLORE CLEAN ENERGY INSIGHTS & UPDATES Find the Magic in Energy Education with NHEEP “I’m going to do a magic trick. Are you ready?” NHEEP educator Angie Krysiak flipped the classroom light switch, and the lights came on. Some kids snickered, others rolled their eyes. “Okay, so it’s just the lights coming on. But who can explain to me what happens when I flip the switch?” The kids looked at each other, unsure. Finally someone raised a hand and suggested “the electricity goes through the wires?” “Yes! And can anyone tell me how the electricity got into the wi Clean Energy NH Aug 3 4 min read All Solar Big and Small: Plug-In Solar is Coming to New Hampshire The future of solar PV in New Hampshire is brighter as New Hampshire’s Governor signs Senate Bill 540 (SB540) into law making access to solar almost as easy as plugging in a toaster. This summer, New Hampshire became one of the first states in the nation to create a clear legal pathway for safe deployment of plug-in solar. SB540, signed into law by Governor Kelly Ayotte on July 2nd, allows Granite Staters to install small solar systems up to 1.2 kW that plug directly into a q Clean Energy NH Jul 15 6 min read Guest Blog: Bridging the Gap Between Community Solar and Public Housing Authorities 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, indivi Clean Energy NH Apr 6 4 min read Clean Energy Leader business members are industry leaders committed to transforming New Hampshire's energy future. CLEAN ENERGY BUSINESS LEADERS WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS! APOLLLO ATOMICS

“I’m going to do a magic trick. Are you ready?” NHEEP educator Angie Krysiak flipped the classroom light switch, and the lights came on. Some kids snickered, others rolled their eyes. “Okay, so it’s just the lights coming on. But who can explain to me what happens when I flip the switch?” The kids looked at each other, unsure. Finally someone raised a hand and suggested “the electricity goes through the wires?” “Yes! And can anyone tell me how the electricity got into the wires in the first place?” Silence. Over the next hour, students explored a series of hands-on stations where they learned how to complete an electrical circuit, power up a series of devices, and figured out the “three ingredients” of electricity. Once they had a basic understanding of how it worked, they explored the different ways we generate electricity, and the pros and cons of each generation method. Programs like this one, “Electricity and the Environment”, designed and delivered by educators at the Vermont and New Hampshire Energy Education Program (VEEP and NHEEP), help students understand where our energy comes from, and the impact that our energy usage has on the planet. It also gives students an opportunity to practice science and engineering skills and relate scientific content back to where they are growing up. After the hands-on exploration one student observed “well, it is electricity that turns on the light, but I guess that kind of IS magic!” Students exploring the energy efficiency of LED lightbulbs During the 2025-2026 school year, NHEEP educators ran over 270 workshops, reaching almost 5,000 students across the state of New Hampshire. Lessons focus on the three highest sources of carbon emissions in New England: Electricity, heating buildings, and transportation. Students explore a wide variety of topics, including the basics of electricity and magnetism, renewable electricity generation, energy efficiency and conservation measures, how to measure transportation emissions, and the importance of insulation and air sealing in the weatherization process. NHEEP uses a winning combination of materials, training, and support to help students and teachers understand where our energy comes from, how our energy usage is impacting the climate, and explore solutions to the climate crisis. Programs are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, grounded in the practices of project-based-learning, and focused on creating community members who think critically, make data-informed decisions, and work together to solve problems. Students practice STEM skills and learn about potential careers in the climate workforce, and the emphasis is always on joy, exploration, and creatively solving problems. In addition to offering in-classroom workshops, NHEEP also supports teachers by loaning materials kits for teacher use so that teachers have all of the materials they need to run solid and effective hands-on units on energy and climate change. Teachers can use the kits, which come with curriculum and lesson plans, to cover topics such as wind/hydro generators, PV panels and loads, Infrared cameras and thermometers, kilowatt meters, light meters, mini-methane digesters, climate modeling equipment and more. NHEEP staff are available to support teachers in choosing activities that are a good fit for their classroom, and troubleshoot equipment as needed. This school year, NHEEP loaned out 33 kits and supported 19 teachers with professional development workshops. Students designing a wind turbine to maximize electricity generated One thing we found especially exciting this year was the opportunity to return to schools where staff had previously hosted workshops to conduct an “energy investigation”. Working with the same batch of students, the exercise cast them as energy auditors, tasked with calculating the school's energy usage and spotting ways to cut waste.Students made lists of the energy-using devices in the school, measured how much electricity things use with a kill-a-watt meter, looked for air leaks and areas of low insulation with infrared thermometers and cameras, measured excess lighting with a lux meter, and marked up maps of their school with areas where they thought energy was being wasted. Each investigation closed with a brainstorm: what could we do to conserve energy in our school? Students had some great ideas: Making lightswitch covers and PSA’s to remind everyone to turn off the lights when they leave a room Unplugging devices before the weekend and long school breaks (and setting up a Power Patrol to check that classrooms were complying) Starting a walk/bike to school campaign or helping families find carpool buddies Learning whether their school district had any e-buses and if not, advocating for some to join the fleet! Working with facilities’ teams to identify places where further weatherization should be prioritized We do this work because we know that the best learning happens when students are doing something that feels like it’s making a real impact. Reducing our energy usage and decarbonizing our energy supply is critical to addressing the current climate crisis, and providing a combination of hands-on exploration, accessible tools, and data gathering gives students the chance to improve their local communities and empower them in the process. If we want future NH residents to think critically and make informed decisions about energy, we need to give them the chance to start young and continue to grow and learn. In the words of one teacher: “The hands-on activities help them see the waste of electricity and gasoline. This program is a wonderful way to get students involved and aware of energy waste and how they can make a difference to help make changes to our planet.” Sophia directs the Vermont and New Hampshire Energy Education Program (VEEP and NHEEP), and leads an incredible team of educators who make the invisible visible through hands-on science demonstrations, asking big questions, and making students figure out the answers themselves. Read more about our programs at veep.org

The future of solar PV in New Hampshire is brighter as New Hampshire’s Governor signs Senate Bill 540 (SB540) into law making access to solar almost as easy as plugging in a toaster. This summer, New Hampshire became one of the first states in the nation to create a clear legal pathway for safe deployment of plug-in solar. SB540, signed into law by Governor Kelly Ayotte on July 2nd, allows Granite Staters to install small solar systems up to 1.2 kW that plug directly into a qualified wall outlet bypassing the need for rooftops, permits, and significant upfront investment. This legislation creates a viable pathway for renters, apartment dwellers, and budget-conscious households to access solar easily. Critically, the New Hampshire bill does so with safety built in from the start: pairing expanded consumer access with mandatory safety requirements and a deliberate timeline that lets national standards be completed to ensure New Hampshire plugin solar provides affordable, safe generation. One important caveat for consumers: the kits being marketed online today are not yet certified under the safety standards New Hampshire's law anticipates, as we explain below. Photo courtesy CraftStrom Solar, Houston, Texas Plug-in solar has become one of the most successful clean energy projects in Europe. In Germany, an estimated 4 million households now use small, portable, “balcony” solar panels that plug directly into a wall outlet. No electrician, permit, or rooftop required; just pick up a system at the local Lidl or Aldi, and assemble it yourself, Ikea style. Adoption of these systems grew roughly 73 percent in 2024 alone, and it’s not hard to see why: these portable systems cost a fraction of traditional rooftop arrays and are available to a broad range of households who have been unable to invest in rooftop solar installations. If this model takes hold in the United States, it could do something that rooftop solar has been unable to do: make solar ownership accessible to households who never thought it possible to utilize solar power to lower their bills. SB540's increases the financial accessibility by stripping away the costs that typically stand between a household and solar ownership. Under the new law, compliant plug-in solar systems are exempt from the requirements that drive up the price of traditional installations: no utility approval, no interconnection review or agreements, no additional utility-mandated equipment, and no associated fees. Because these systems plug into a qualified wall outlet and are installed according to manufacturer instructions, the households also avoid the labor and permitting costs of a professional rooftop installation. The result is a solar option whose total cost is a fraction of a conventional rooftop array, putting ownership within reach of households for whom the upfront investment has always been the biggest barrier. But American homes are wired differently, and this distinction matters. Unfortunately, it’s a mistake to think plug-in solar in the US will roll out as simply as Germany’s model. Residential electrical systems, codes, and safety requirements in the US were built around the assumption that power only flows from the grid into the home. Plug-in solar breaks that assumption by feeding power back into the household circuit through an ordinary wall outlet, creating complex engineering questions that must be answered to ensure household safety. A 2025 UL Solutions white paper laid these concerns out plainly. Standard branch circuit breakers are sized to catch overloads from the grid side only. In effect, these circuit breakers can't "see" a solar inverter also feeding electric current into the same circuit. This means if the circuit could, theoretically receive current from the plug-in panels as well as from the grid at the same time, leading to a combined overload that overheats the circuit. The same two-sided loading can occur in Germany, but in the European Union homes are wired at 220 volts instead of 120, which means EU wires and circuits can safely accommodate larger loads than in the US. The electric plug from the solar panels themselves is a concern, too. For a typical appliance, the prongs of a plug are safe to touch the instant it's unplugged from the wall socket. However, the UL's testing found today's grid-interactive inverters may continue to energize the prongs of a plug for up to two seconds after the plug is disconnected from the wall socket as there is a delay before the inverter registers it is no longer feeding into the building’s wiring. Further, UL found that plugging a solar device into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected outlet, the same protection required near sinks, pools, and outdoor receptacles, could in some cases damage the GFCI or let current keep flowing into a ground fault for a moment after it trips. Neither of the above issues means that plug-in solar is unsafe, but rather points to the fact that the technology must be adapted to US standards for building electrical systems first rather than treating these smaller solar arrays like any other plug-in appliance you buy off the shelf. Fortunately, the global enthusiasm for plug-in solar means that smart folks across the US are turning their attention to these problems. UL Solutions, the same organization behind the safety testing for nearly every appliance in your home, is developing a dedicated standard for this technology. The UL 3700, the Outline of Investigation for Interactive Plug-In PV (PIPV) Equipment and Systems, is designed to address the specific gaps identified above: touch-safe output circuits, compatible GFCI protection, and overcurrent protection tailored to the connection these devices have to your home. This is exactly the kind of independent, rigorous safety procedures that should underpin any new class of consumer electrical product, and it's why we believe the technology's promise and the need for caution aren't in conflict, they're two sides of the same process. In the meantime, buyers should be careful. Plug-in solar kits are already being marketed and shipped nationwide, including to New Hampshire — some at attractive prices and with confident safety claims. But until UL 3700 is finalized, no product on the market has been independently certified against the specific risks described above, and the updates to New Hampshire's building code and interconnection rules that will define a qualifying system under SB540 have not yet been made. A manufacturer's own safety reasoning, however thoughtful, is not a substitute for independent certification — that's the entire reason the UL process exists. Our advice: be patient, be skeptical of "available now" marketing, and wait for certified products and consumer guidance from the NH Department of Energy before plugging anything in. New Hampshire has an opportunity to get this right from day one. SB540 builds safety requirements directly into the bill: automatic shutoff during a power outage to protect line workers, mandatory compliance with the state's existing fire and electrical codes, and installation according to manufacturer instructions. The bill drew engagement not just from clean energy advocates but from the utilities and the state’s building inspectors and code officials, who are responsible for enforcing these rules on the ground. The law was written to allow for the regulations to catch up with the technology, before plug-in solar starts to roll out across our state. Specifically, the law makes it clear that necessary changes to the building code and interconnection rules won’t occur until the UL 3700 standard has been completed, and we can be sure that compliant devices are being manufactured. New Hampshire doesn’t have to choose between opening solar access and protecting public safety. SB540 shows that these goals can reinforce each other: a technology with the ability to expand energy affordability, paired with a deliberate, forward-thinking legislative process and an evolving national safety standard built to ensure success. SB540 represents the best of how policymaking can be done well at the State House: bipartisan legislation that expands consumer choice while taking safety seriously from the very beginning. By pairing innovation with rigorous safety standards and clear regulations, New Hampshire has created a blueprint that other states can follow. It’s worth noting that SB540 complements Senate Bill 538 (SB538), which Governor Ayotte signed into law on July 10, 2026. SB538 provides critical support for New Hampshire municipal solar projects up to 5 MWs in size. This bill guarantees the current net energy metering (NEM) credit for 20 years for cities, towns, school systems, and counties with projects already in the interconnection queue. This guarantee will enable those projects to receive better financing terms for large solar projects across the state, providing taxpayer relief by reducing government energy costs. By signing both SB540 and SB538, the Governor increased the opportunity for even more Granite Staters to realize the economic benefits of local, renewable, clean electric generation. **For additional context, read the article published by PluginSolarUS.com's "Behind the Bill" series. The article is based on an interview with New Hampshire Sen. David Watters and Sam Evans-Brown of Clean Energy NH, public legislative materials for SB540, and additional background research.

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.