Start a Renewable Energy Project

INTRODUCTION

Helping You Get Started

Interested in using renewable energy?  Consider the tips on this page to save you time and money and to help you decide what energy source might be right for you.

STEP 1

Know Your Energy Situation

Calculate your energy usage in the three energy areas: heating, electricity, and transportation. Chart it on paper. Involve staff members or members of your family. How much does your business or your home spend monthly and annually on space heating, electricity and fuel for your vehicles? How much do you spend per kilowatt-hour, gallon, and mcf (natural gas)? Which energy do you spend the most on? The least? 

STEP 3

Choose an Energy Source

After you know your energy usage and expenses and have reduced your demand, you need to decide what you want to accomplish.  What is your end goal? Are you looking to heat your building, produce electricity, or fuel your vehicle? Learn more about each energy source below, along with a few key points to consider when assessing the feasibility of each resource.  Check with your municipality to see if there are any regulations pertaining to your chosen energy source(s). Select ordinances are listed in the map below.

Ordinance Map 

Energy Sources

Biomass

Biomass is organic material and can provide heat, electricity and/or power transportation. A fireplace, pellet stove or boiler can be used for heating. Large facilities may find that electricity production is also financially viable with a boiler or anaerobic digester.  Biofuels can power vehicles. The sources available will vary by region and ultimately dictate the financial viability of using this type of energy.

Geothermal

Geothermal heating and cooling systems utilize underground thermal energy to provide constant humidity and comfortable temperatures while using only enough electricity to power a blower to move the warm or cool air throughout a building. Correctly sizing the system to the space it will be heating/cooling is crucial for efficient operation. Climate, soil conditions, and available outdoor space will dictate the the layout of system. Retrofitting an existing building is possible. 

Hydro

Hydroelectric is often cost effective but requires running water on your property. The height the water drops (head) and the flow of water are used to determine the amount of electricity that can be produced and will dictate system design. Permitting can be a long multi-step process.  

Solar

Solar energy can be utilized in many different ways, from passive space heating to water heating to electricity generation. Incorporating passive heating design is easiest in new buildings, but steps can be taken to also utilize it in established buildings. A south facing location that is shade-free is the key factor in determining whether solar water heating and electric generation are possible.  

Wind

Wind energy can be an efficient way to generate electricity, when a resource is available. Proper siting of a turbine (including being in a windy location and well above obstacles, like trees and buildings) is essential for maximum power production. Wind maps can help determine whether advanced site analysis would be worthwhile.

STEP 5

Choose an Installer Wisely

Now that you know what energy you will be using, you need to determine how your system will be installed.  We recommend you learn the basics of each technology before calling installers.  Renewable energy systems are significant investments, somewhere between buying a car and buying a house.  Take your time to shop around, compare suppliers and find the one you feel comfortable with.  Be sure to base your decision on equal offerings (for example the same style of wind turbine at the same height, etc.). Please review the list of questions you should be prepared to ask installers and questions they will ask you.

Be ready to answer:
 

• What is your energy usage and how much are you paying?
• What are your goals? (cost savings, environmental, helping to get the country off of foreign energy sources, etc.)
• Do you want a grid-tied system, grid-tied with battery-back up or an off-grid system? (if generating electricity)
• Where and how are you considering using the system or energy source?
• Do you plan on installing it yourself, helping to install it or paying an installer to do all the work?
• Do you plan on maintaining it or paying someone else to maintain it?

Typically renewable energy systems installers conduct a site visit which can cost $50 - $300 or more so first you should ask:

• What is included in a site assessment and what do you charge?
• Do you perform an energy use assessment?
• How does the system work and how will it supply my building, home, and vehicle with energy? Make sure you understand this very clearly and ask them to repeat anything you don’t understand.
• How much energy might the system generate/produce?
• Is there a performance guarantee?
• What is a typical system cost?
• What financial incentives exist to help pay for it?
• Have you worked with any lenders that have experience with renewable energy systems?
• What can I expect in terms of payback (when you’ll make your money back)?
• What do I need to know in terms of building and electrical permitting? Zoning?
• Who is responsible for obtaining the proper permits and approvals?
• How long will the system last? How do you know that for sure?
• Do you provide a maintenance or service warranty for the first year?
• Can I purchase an extended warranty?
• What can I expect if maintenance is needed?
• Is regular maintenance needed? How often and what type?
• How long have you been in business?
• What certifications do you have?
• How many installations have you done?
• Do you have references I can contact? Pictures of previous installations? Installations I can visit?
• When could the installation take place?
• From start to finish, including permitting and utility approvals, how long might the installation take?
• What can I expect from the installation itself in terms of disruptions to the building/site? Describe the installation process.
• Do you work with my electrical utility to complete the grid interconnection? (if generating electricity)
• Are there interconnection costs I should be aware of? (if generating electricity)
• Have you worked with my utility before? What utilities have you worked with? (if generating electricity)

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Information provided for reference purposes only and may be out of date or incomplete. Use at your own risk.