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“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.

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 .

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.

In the early days of a technology revolution new players and products emerge quickly, think PCs in the 1980’s or cell phone apps in the 2000’s and it can be challenging to figure out what’s what. For electric vehicles, watch the 2020’s. By the roaring 1920’s when automobiles replaced horses, the internal combustion engine defeated battery power, so cars have been burning fossil fuels ever since. In this century, cell phones and laptops have created a strong foundation for the battery industry to expand into automobiles and power storage. Most folks don’t realize that EVs are better tech, like cell phones are better than landlines. Unlike cars that just deteriorate as they age, EV software updates improve the features and benefits with over the air software updates. My new EV has had the efficiency improved, added a snow mode, along with several other features since last December. EVs are quieter, quicker, smoother, safer and cost much less to own. Most batteries retired from EVs still have about 70% of their capacity remaining, according to San Diego-based startup Smartville, noting that this makes them an ideal candidate for second-life use. By repurposing EV batteries as grid-scale energy storage to store renewable energy they continue to provide value before they are finally recycled and the materials are reused. EVs are not only an exciting part of a technology revolution, they are a key to the much-needed energy revolution. We’re looking for alternatives as we slowly realize that burning fossil fuels is clogging our atmosphere w/ greenhouse gasses, messing with our weather and costing more & more money and lives. Global EV sales have accelerated from 55,000 in 2011 to 16 million in 2021, according to the International Energy Agency. Tesla accounted for a big part of this but now old and new auto manufacturers are racing to introduce electric models and build new factories. Tesla has had a big lead in part by taking an ‘Apple ecosystem strategy’ and building a robust charging network. Tesla owners can travel anywhere on US interstates and be confident of charging quickly along their way. The essential EV charging infrastructure got a boost from the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. EVs are cheaper to own even if they cost more initially. A study of electric police cars found communities saved over $5,000 per car, per year with Tesla’s vs their conventional Fords or Dodges. The Chevy Bolt EV starts under $30,000 and after Federal incentives costs about $20,000. The Bolt EV features 259 miles of combined range and 120 MPGe (MPG equivalent). I’ve enjoyed my Bolt since 2018 and spent less than $200 on maintenance and it is quick, quiet, smooth, and has good handling, even in the snow. Relying mostly on a 240-volt, Level 2, charger in my garage, the only thing I miss about going to gas stations is cleaning the windshield. The Monadnock Sustainability Hub’s EV team and the Co-op are gathering local dealers and EV owners to share their EVs on April 22nd in Keene . To see a variety of EVs (including at least one pickup truck), talk to owners and possibly get a test drive don’t miss the next local Drive Electric event at the Keene Earth Day Celebration at the Co-op on April 22 from 12-4 PM . There will be short, informal talks on the Co-op’s planned public charging station, E police cars, home charging, taking long trips in an EV at the tent between the Co-op and the Whitney Brothers parking lot. For fleet managers, another opportunity to see a bigger variety of EVs (busses & trucks) is the Green Your Fleet Expo at the Speedway in Loudon, NH on June 9th. What are you waiting for? Get your key the electrifying 20’s, and may the torque be with you. John Kondos has been harvesting solar energy for decades and since 2006 has been working on solutions to the climate crisis with Home-Efficiency Resources, the Monadnock Sustainability Hub, Citizens Climate Lobby and Clean Energy NH.

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 vehicles, including Lee, Farmington, Plaistow, Durham, Raymond and Bethlehem. Vehicles include plow trucks, fire trucks, refuse trucks, dump trucks, bucket trucks, wheel loaders, and more.  For Lancaster, the road to an all-electric wheel loader began in 2023, when Transfer Station Manager Rusty Scott and Assistant Manager Rob Blanchette first explored options to replace aging diesel equipment. The proposal reached Town Meeting in 2024 and Lancaster residents had plenty of questions, such as about how the batteries would perform in cold New Hampshire winters and how costly they might be to replace. Rusty came to the Annual Town Meeting prepared to answer questions. Having spent two weeks operating an electric wheel loader during a demo arranged by local equipment dealer Chadwick-BaRoss and a visiting engineer from Volvo Construction Equipment, he was able to provide clear, firsthand answers that reassured the voters and the warrant article passed.   A Smart Transition from Diesel to Electric The Lancaster Transfer Station had two aging diesel machines, a 20-year-old loader and an old Bobcat, both requiring expensive repairs totaling an estimated $28,000. Rather than sinking more funds into equipment nearing the end of its useful life, the town traded both machines in to meet DERA program requirements. Under the grant rules, the old diesel units were dismantled to permanently remove them from service. When NH DES approved the grant, the town received the new Volvo L20 Electric loader just three weeks later. The machine has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $226,740. Thanks to a government entity discount, Lancaster paid just $136,000, and the DERA grant covered $61,470 of that amount. The remaining cost, roughly $60,000, was covered by the town. The charger, provided by Volvo at no additional cost, plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet. With a 2–4 hour charging time and an average operating window of 4–6 hours, the loader is charged every three days and fits seamlessly into the transfer station’s workflow. It’s also powered in part by the facility’s 16-kilowatt solar array, keeping operating costs low and emissions near zero. Cleaner, Quieter, and Cost-Effective The benefits of the electric loader are already evident. The town has eliminated approximately $4,000 per year in diesel fuel costs. Maintenance has been minimal -  a quick five-minute weekly greasing of the articulating joints replaces the complex engine maintenance diesel machines require. With no belts or exhaust systems, the loader is simpler to operate and service. Each of its seven main batteries is isolated for safety, and a small auxiliary battery powers the enclosed cab’s electronics. The machine comes with a six-year warranty, and Lancaster purchased an extended warranty for additional peace of mind. When the main batteries eventually degrade to 80% capacity, Volvo will buy them back, ensuring responsible battery lifecycle management.  Volvo estimates that each battery will cost $5,000 to replace at today’s costs.   The new loader also offers practical advantages for staff. Its enclosed cab provides warmth in the winter, unlike the open Bobcat it replaced. It’s quiet, allowing operators to communicate easily without shouting over a diesel engine, and can run indoors without any air quality concerns. Operationally, the electric wheel loader hits the sweet spot. The old loader was too large and cumbersome for some tasks, while the Bobcat was too small. The new unit is a “jack of all vehicles,” perfectly sized for pushing, loading, dumping, moving baled recyclables, and handling tires. Better yet, it’s compatible with the Bobcat front plate, meaning all existing attachments still work.  After 200 hours of runtime, staff are pleased with the vehicle’s performance.  A Model for Other Communities Lancaster’s experience highlights how state and federal programs can help small towns modernize essential services without breaking municipal budgets. By leveraging a DERA grant, doing thorough research, and leaning on existing solar infrastructure, Lancaster turned a daunting equipment replacement into a success story – acquiring cutting-edge equipment for only one-quarter of the listing price. The town’s leadership, paired with the proactive approach of its transfer station staff, has created a North Country example of how clean technology can solve multiple problems at once, from aging equipment to emissions reductions to operational costs. Rusty Scott is happy to talk about the town’s experience with the wheel loader. More information can be found in Clean Energy NH’s Diesel Vehicle Replacement 101  guide.and on the New Hampshire Clean Diesel Grant Program Website.    Transfer Station Manager Rusty Scott can be reached at transferstation@lancasternh.org .  Contact sarah@cleanenergynh.org  with any questions or to request a free support navigating your vehicle replacement project.

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 from the North Country Energy Circuit Rider  helped set the project in motion. The Circuit Rider provided sample warrant articles  and Affinity LED Lighting LLC walked the commission through the process, while Eversource incentives  added a strong financial motivation. With surrounding towns already operating with LED streetlights, it was clear the time had come for Carroll to act. Collaboration Across Town Departments From the start, the Energy Commission prioritized collaboration. They worked closely with Public Safety , including the Police and Fire Chiefs, to ensure that critical lighting needs and concerns were met and no essential streetlights were removed. The Public Works Director  was also brought into the process to provide insight on maintenance needs. Looking beyond Carroll, the commission met with the Administrative Assistant in Bethlehem  to learn from their recent streetlight and solar projects. Keeping the Select Board  informed was another priority, especially since they would need to approve moving forward with a contractor and approving the warrant article drafted by the commission. The Energy Commission, established in October 2023 , reached out to Affinity LED Lighting , a company experienced in municipal conversions. After careful consideration, the commission recommended working with Affinity LED Lighting but decided not to pursue more complex “networked” lighting systems. With a tight deadline  to finalize a warrant article before the end of December, the Energy Commission moved quickly to keep the project on track.  The effort aligned perfectly with the commission’s mission: “The Carroll Energy Commission’s mission is to advise, encourage, and facilitate energy conservation, energy efficiency, and clean energy solutions for public buildings and properties, businesses, and resident homes. The Committee shall provide leadership and direction for community education relating to energy and shall propose and explore funding for local energy projects.” Community Support and Voter Confidence Gaining public support was crucial. The Energy Commission hosted a public information session , spoke at the 2024 deliberative session , and even spent two freezing cold Saturdays in February at the transfer station  to answer questions and build trust with voters. Flyers were also distributed near the post office. At these events a demonstration LED streetlight , provided by Affinity LED Lighting, proved to be a valuable tool. It allowed residents to see firsthand the improved light quality and lower glare that LEDs provide.  This outreach paid off: the warrant article for the LED project passed with 84% voter approval , showing that Carroll residents cared about the savings, the better light quality, and the lower maintenance costs. Implementation and Challenges The project was approved by voters in March 2024 , and most of the lights were installed by December 2024 . The final five lights were completed in February 2025 , making it an 11-month process from approval to completion . While the project was considered “low-hanging fruit,” it wasn’t without challenges. The biggest hurdle was reconciling Eversource’s streetlight inventory with the actual fixtures in town . It took persistence and attention to detail from the Energy Commission to get everything aligned. Lessons Learned For towns considering similar projects, Carroll’s Energy Commission offers several key pieces of advice: Do your homework: Talk to other communities that have completed similar projects and ask for real data on cost savings. Join Clean Energy NH : Their resources and support were invaluable throughout the process. Keep stakeholders informed : Regular updates to the Select Board, town staff, and residents helped maintain transparency and trust. Engage the public early : Demonstration LED streetlight and public info session were critical for gaining voter support. Expect delays : Projects often take longer than expected, so plan for flexibility. Building Momentum for Future Projects The success of the LED streetlight project had ripple effects across the community. By demonstrating its ability to deliver meaningful results, the Energy Commission built credibility with both voters and the Select Board. This paved the way for future projects, including a new solar photovoltaic array at the Public Safety Building , which received 77% approval  at the 2025 Annual Meeting. The LED project showed residents that the commission’s work brings real savings and tangible benefits to the town.  It gave voters the confidence to support larger, more complex initiatives. Keys to Success Looking back, the Energy Commission credits their success to three main factors: Persistence  — Staying focused despite challenges. Communication  — Keeping everyone informed, from town officials to residents. Community engagement  — Meeting people where they are, whether at public meetings or the transfer station. Through this project, Carroll not only upgraded its streetlights but also laid the foundation for a brighter, more energy-efficient future.

Name: Marc E. Leménager Title: Supervisor, Energy Efficiency - Regulatory, Planning, and Evaluation Employer: Eversource Energy City/Town of Residence: Bow NH Education: Southern New Hampshire University / Master of Business Administration, Quantitative Analysis Southern New Hampshire University / Bachelor of Science, Economics and Finance Why did you decide to work in the renewable/clean/clean energy industry? I wanted to ensure my career was positively impacting people, and an opening within the Energy Efficiency department at Eversource presented a clear opportunity for me to produce tangible benefits for our customers and advance my career. What interested you in working at your current employer? I joined Eversource right around the time the Company merged and became Eversource, creating the largest utility provider in New England. The sheer scale and impact of electric utilities on our economy and daily lives has and continues to fascinate me. Describe the work you do in more detail. I help manage and oversee the Company's energy efficiency programs and initiatives in New Hampshire and Connecticut, including but not limited to NHSaves, Energize Connecticut, Eversource's New Hampshire Clean Energy Fund, and Connecticut's Innovative Energy Solutions Program. What do you believe is the most pressing challenge that lies ahead for the clean energy industry in the state? Balancing clean energy timelines with economics and climate impacts. What aspect of your job excites you most? Why?  I get excited about identifying and delivering program solutions that produce a win for the Company, our customers, and our state. What interested you most about being part of YPiE? (Young Professionals in Energy) I think my career path is a bit unique and therefore may offer a bit of a different perspective for a certain segment of the audience, as I did not study energy or clean energy in my formal schooling, did not start my career in energy, and did not start my energy career in energy efficiency. What advice would you give to someone that is new to the industry or fresh out of college? Learn as much as you can from those who are already doing the work, but also try to learn why things are done the way they are to help better understand if improvements can be made. What do you like to do when you aren't working? Read, cook, and/or play with my two sons. What's on your bucket list? It's many years away, but watching each of my sons graduate from their schooling. Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you. I do everything left handed but writing. Fun Facts: Coffee or Tea? And how do you take it? Coffee Black Fave NH Restaurant? El Viajero Tradicional Mexicano in Hooksett Fave Musician/Band/Music genre? Rock (from hair bands and through the decades to some of today's rock) Fav Recreational activity? Playing catch with my sons or playing golf (very poorly)

Some people study building science. Some stumble into it through construction. But Margaret Dillon? She feels  it. “It’s in my DNA to think about how buildings think,” she says with a laugh. Raised in a 150-year-old New Jersey farmhouse that her great-grandfather expanded, Dillon grew up exploring its nooks, crannies, and all the changes made as the family adapted the house through all the historic events of the 20th century adaptations. That early curiosity led her to a lifelong passion: helping buildings—and the people who depend on them—adapt for a more efficient, carbon neutral and more resilient future in the 21st century. Margaret Dillon, Founder of S.E.E.D.S From Farmhouse Roots to Founding S.E.E.D.S. Margaret Dillon is the founder and   sole proprietor of S.E.E.D.S. ( Sustainable Energy Education & Demonstration Services ) , a consulting practice she launched in 2006 to bridge the gap between building performance and energy efficiency across New Hampshire. With a master’s degree in environmental science and a deep interest in sustainable infrastructure, Dillon dove right into the work, serving as a carpenter and later as the Executive Director for a local nonprofit focused on affordable housing. In that role, she managed historic residential buildings and raised funds to improve their energy performance. What she saw, time and time again, was a fragmented approach: contractors focusing on quick fixes, not long-term impact. She knew there had to be a better way. “I wanted to look at the full picture,” she explains. So she stepped down from her ED role, retrained as a certified building and energy consultant, and founded S.E.E.D.S. to offer a more comprehensive, science-based strategy for improving buildings—from moisture management to energy upgrades and lowering their carbon footprint. Building for the Long Run  Headed into the heart of the building (photo credit: Margaret Dillon) Today, Dillon works with architects, engineers, municipal boards, and building owners across New Hampshire. Her specialty? Diagnosing inefficiencies in everything from schools and libraries to town halls and homes, and helping those buildings work better , for longer. At the heart of her work is a deep understanding of building science: how moisture travels, heat transfer, how air moves—and how to control it all. “Managing moisture is key to energy efficiency,” she says. “That’s the piece people used to ignore, but it’s foundational.” Her audits often recommend: Air-sealing ceilings  and insulating foundations  to stop heat loss at the source Managing moisture  through effective drainage, sealing dirt floors, and adding ventilation as necessary  Integrating efficient systems  like LED lighting and heat pumps after  improving the building envelope She works closely with NHSaves to help clients tap into available funding for these improvements. And while upfront costs can cause hesitation, especially for older or historic buildings, Dillon helps clients see the long-term value, and walks them through it step by step. Working Across Sectors  Dillon’s approach isn’t just technical, it’s collaborative. “Every audit is like a conversation,” she says. “Everyone brings their own perspective, and my goal is to help weave those into a plan that makes sense for that specific place.”  She spends hours emailing back and forth with selectboards, energy committees, and building managers—answering questions, clarifying cost-benefit breakdowns, and offering guidance. After sending completed reports with recommendations, she offers Zoom meetings to allow real-time dialogue and hands-on discussion of each building’s unique challenges and opportunities. Her favorite moment? When someone on the other side of the call starts to see their building in a new light. “Everyone lives or works in a building,” she says. “When you connect the dots between their own lived experience and building science, it clicks. That’s how change starts.” Over three decades, Dillon has seen real progress. Many architects are integrating energy efficiency into designs from day one. Heat pumps and LED lighting have become more accessible investments. Homeowners are starting to value long-term building health over short-term payback. But there’s still work to do, especially in making the language of energy accessible. “Energy reports can be overwhelming,” she says. “I spend a lot of time trying to help people understand the steps and how they can get from A to B. Laying out that roadmap matters.” That’s where her unique blend of technical precision, intuition, and deep empathy comes in. Whether mentoring a new building science professional or advising a small town on their library retrofit, Dillon brings the same commitment: making New Hampshire’s buildings more efficient, more resilient, and more livable—for the long haul. “We need to adapt our lifestyles and our buildings to meet the challenges ahead,” Dillon says. “That’s what I want to help people do. Create a path. Because even if they don’t know the destination yet, they need to know there’s a way forward.” ----- If you are interested in learning more about Margaret's work, please reach out to her at mdillon@myfairpoint.net . To speak with experts on energy audits and learn moreways you can save, head to nhsaves.com