Rye adds two new solar projects to municipal rooftops
The town of Rye has completed two new solar energy projects on the rooftops of municipally owned buildings, according to an announcement from ReVision Energy. The installations, located at Rye Public Safety and Rye Recreation Storage, bring the town’s total number of solar installations on municipal buildings to four, which also include Rye Junior High School and Rye Elementary School.
The projects were installed by Brentwood-based ReVision Energy, an employee-owned company, according to the announcement. The initiative was spearheaded by the volunteer-led Rye Energy Committee and supported by grant funding.
Members of the Rye Energy Committee, ReVision Energy, and local officials celebrate the installation of two new solar projects. Left to Right Lucy Neiman, former member of Rye Energy Committee, Howard Kalet, Co-Chair, Rye Energy Committee, Michele Sopher, Former Chair, Rye Energy Committee, Silas Proft, Rye Energy Committee, Bob McGrath, Chair, Rye Selectboard, state Rep. Peggy Balboni, Tom Pfau, Co-chair, Rye Energy Committee, Lisa Sweet, Rye Energy Committee, Katrin Kasper, Energy Circuit Rider, Clean Energy New Hampshire, state Sen. Debra Altschiller, Rachel Eades, Commercial Sales Consultant, ReVision Energy, Dan Hackett, Rye Resident and Solar Design Specialist, ReVision Energy, Travis Genatossio, Project Manager, ReVision Energy, and Rob Grogan, Developer, ReVision Energy.)
At a celebration for the completion of the projects on Dec. 10, state Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, spoke about the town’s efforts toward sustainability. “Today is about more than solar panels. It’s about Rye demonstrating what’s possible when a community comes together around shared values, even in challenging times. It’s about fiscal responsibility meeting environmental stewardship,” she said.
The newly added solar arrays are projected to produce 73,958 kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually, generating nearly $12,000 in savings and offsetting 77,878 pounds of carbon emissions each year, according to the announcement. Across both buildings, a total of 138 solar panels have been installed.
The Rye Public Safety Building has 104 panels on its 45.67 kW rooftop array.
For funding, the Public Safety and Recreation projects leveraged the State of New Hampshire Department of Energy’s Municipal Solar Grant Program and the federal Investment Tax Credit, covering about 90% of project costs. Rye received $79,903 for Rye Public Safety and $46,720 for Rye Recreation.
“Thanks to the tireless work of the Rye Energy Committee, the Town of Rye is leading the way for New Hampshire municipalities,” said Rachel Eades, Commercial Sales Consultant at ReVision Energy.
This story was created by Kimberly Green, KGreen@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
State Sen. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham is the wife of Howard Altschiller, Seacoast Media Group’s executive editor.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rye completes two new municipal solar projects