Green Energy Times, October 2018
Nature’s Power Hits Moosilauke!
by N.R. Mallery, publisher of G.E.T
There is a new sight to see on Moosilauke Mountain. The Class of 1978 Bunkhouse of the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, in Woodstock, NH is now powered by nature. The orientation and pitch of the newly renovated roof was ideal to allow Norwich Solar to design and install the 14.2kW DC rooftop solar array to maximize efficiency. The 395W crystalline silicon modules with DC/AC string inverters are anticipated to generate 17,000kWh of electricity per year.
The system is expected to be fully operational by October 31, 2018. The system is financed through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), meaning the system will be owned by a third-party equity funder. All associated tax credits and depreciation will belong to the equity funder. No upfront cost or capital expenditure was required from Dartmouth College. The system is interconnected to the existing utility grid with net-metered credits to Dartmouth’s electric account for the electricity made from the solar.
The Power Purchase Agreement includes a buy-out option at years 7, 15, and 25. During those years, Dartmouth will have the option, but not the obligation, to purchase the system at the fair market value, as determined by an independent 3rd party appraiser. The environmental benefits include offsetting 700,000 lbs. of CO2, 8,000 trees planted, or 730,000 miles not driven. (Estimates are based on a 50,000 lbs. carbon offset/ 579 trees planted and 52,000 miles driven per kW over the life of the system.)
