NORTHFIELD — In hopes of connecting residents with experts on the installation and financing of solar energy systems, Solar Up Northfield, an ad-hoc group dedicated to increasing the town’s use of solar energy, held a solar fair Thursday.
The fair, which took place in Northfield’s senior center in town hall, featured 7-minute presentations from four individuals who professionally install solar panels and Richard Kump, who manages the solar loan program at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union.
Before more than 20 residents, Kump said that while an average solar project costs $25,000, financing is not impossible.
“A consumer in Massachusetts can get a loan with an interest rate of 3.25 percent,” Kump said, referring to the Mass Solar Loan program (www.masssolarloan.com/).
Furthermore, Kump said it is possible to arrange for the government to pay for 20 percent of the loan, should an individual demonstrate a low income.
“You could get a check for $5,000 to $7,000,” said Emily Koester, a member of Solar Up Northfield.
Brandon Turner, owner of Renewed by the Son Inc., a solar energy equipment supplier out of Erving, gave a presentation about the different kinds of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, roof mounted and ground mounted.
“We try to design a system based on your needs,” Turner said.
Monocrystalline solar panels, he said, are more efficient than polycrystalline panels for homes that require larger amounts of energy. A larger area of polycrystalline panels would also be needed to output the same amount of energy as smaller monocrystalline panels.
Roof-mounted panels, he continued, are also more cost-effective, though some roofs need to be upgraded before installation. Many towns require a structural engineer to evaluate the roof before the town will issue a building permit. Turner said installers refuse to mount on slate roofs.
Given the technology available, Turner said there is no concern for roof leaks, but that residents who are concerned they might need to replace their roof should plan accordingly. Ground-mounted panels might be a better fit for such residents, though they will take up more space in the yard.
However, installation professionals are in high demand, which Koester said speaks to the success of the solar loan program. Some presenters said that, were a resident to schedule an appointment today, they wouldn’t be available to install the panels until September or November. Others said residents may need to wait until next year.
Having held tours of solar homes, a presentation about living energy-efficiently and the solar fair, Koester said the next steps for Solar Up Northfield include a mentoring program.
“We’re going to try to match the sort of newbies up with people who have already (had solar panels installed) to sort of mentor them,” Koester said.
Additionally, in conjunction with the Northfield Energy Committee, Koester wants to arrange a presentation sometime in September about how to better insulate a home and prepare for winter.