Kensington flips the switch on solar power for historic town hall
KENSINGTON —The town of Kensington officially transitioned to solar energy with the activation of a new rooftop array on its historic town hall.
The move follows voter approval in February and marks a major milestone for the town’s sustainability goals.
The town of Kensington officially transitioned to solar energy with the activation of a new rooftop array on its historic town hall.
The 26-kilowatt system, installed by Hampton-based Harmony Energy Works, was fully funded through a competitive Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant awarded to the Kensington Energy Committee last year. With no tax impact on residents, the project is expected to offset up to 70% of the town’s annual electric costs. It will offset 72% of the town hall’s electricity load— saving an estimated $7,000 each year. Additionally, the system is projected to generate approximately 35 Renewable Energy Credits, which are expected to yield roughly $1,000 annually.
Beyond its financial impact, the project sets a precedent throughout the state. It is the first system to be funded through the NH Department of Energy’s Municipal Solar Grant Program and the first to be aesthetically approved for installation on a historic town hall in New Hampshire.
Zeke Schmois, Kensington Energy Committee’s chair, flips the switch energizing the rooftop array at the historic town hall.
To celebrate the launch, town officials and partners gathered for a community event, including representatives from Clean Energy NH, the Community Power Coalition of NH, the NH Department of Energy, and Harmony Energy Works, as well as members of the Kensington Heritage Commission and Energy Committee.
Designing the solar array for the historic building required close collaboration between the town’s Heritage Commission and Board of Selectmen to meet aesthetic and structural criteria. Both bodies voted unanimously in support of the effort, which was also backed by multiple state representatives and clean energy advocates.
Partners and town leaders gather to celebrate the launch of Kensington’s new solar array.
The solar array is expected to serve the town for the next 30 years.
For more information, contact the Kensington Energy Committee at Kensington.town.energy@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kensington flips the switch on solar power for historic town hall