Let It Shine | Solar Power on the Horizon at PSNH

PSNH Headquarters to Host One of the Largest Solar Arrays in NH

One of the largest solar energy photovoltaic systems in New Hampshire will soon be installed and put in service to bring renewable power to one of the state's historic buildings. As part of a demonstration project on solar energy's potential, Public Service of New Hampshire will integrate a 51,300-watt solar energy system onto the roof of its Energy Park building in the heart of Manchester's mill yard district. The building served until 1981 as a power generation facility and was redeveloped as PSNH's corporate headquarters in 2002.

"Energy Park began its life in 1909 as a power plant," noted Gary Lemay, PSNH Energy Park Solar - Team Leader. "In its second century, the building will once again produce energy, but now utilizing the power of the sun!"
The PSNH system will utilize 183 solar photovoltaic panels.  The direct current power made by the solar panels will be fed to electrical inverters located in the basement and then utilized to help meet the demand for power within the building.

It is estimated that the power produced by the solar panels will satisfy about five percent of the energy needed at Energy Park, or the same amount of energy used by about seven average New Hampshire homes. The solar power will annually offset more than 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise be created through the burning of fossil fuel, and will help PSNH meet its state Renewable Portfolio Standard requirements. Construction of the system by contractor KW Management of Nashua will begin the week of June 1, and will be completed by Labor Day, at a cost of about $375,000.

Demonstration Project to Shine a Light on how Solar Power Works

Education will be a featured component of the PSNH Energy Park Solar project. It will help employees and customers learn more about how solar photovoltaic panels operate, how they can be integrated into a modern commercial building, and how renewable energy technologies can help keep energy and investment dollars in the state to benefit New Hampshire's economy. The company plans to post the system's power generation data on the Internet and within a kiosk display located in the public lobby of Energy Park.

The Energy Park solar installation is one of several projects PSNH is pursuing to help New Hampshire achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions 80 percent by the year 2050. Other strategies underway include increasing energy efficiency programs for customers, advancing new renewable energy projects, improving PSNH's business practices to reduce its carbon footprint, and participating in planning efforts, including the Governor's Taskforce on Climate Change.

Today, thanks to projects like Northern Wood Power, which converted a coal-burning boiler to burn clean wood chips, PSNH's fuel mix includes the highest percentage of renewable energy (17 percent) of any major utility in New England. Through projects like the solar installation at Energy Park, PSNH is working to increase its renewable portfolio even more, while at the same time partnering with New Hampshire families, businesses, and towns to help reduce the state's total energy consumption. To learn more about PSNH's clean energy projects, please visit: www.psnh.com/Energy/Renewables/CleanEnergy/default.asp.

Be sure to check out more photos from the installation on PSNH's Flickr page.