recent-posts – Page 23 – Green Needham

Weatherization seminar presentation – Capes

Different styles of homes offer different opportunities to save money and energy. Green Needham and Next Step Living presented two weatherization seminars in January with specific ideas and advice for homeowners of capes, colonials and ranches. The January 16th workshop

Solar 101 Workshop

Have you wondered if solar is right for your house? If so, join us for Green Needham’s Solar 101, an introduction and guide to residential solar energy for homeowners. We will explain the technology and terminology of solar PV (photovoltaic)

Needham 1,000 wrap-up and recognition

Green Needham’s October Needham 1,000 Plaque Presentation at Powers Hall wrapped up several years of community accomplishment on the 10% Energy Challenge. The organization and the community’s efforts were subsequently recognized in a citation presented to Green Needham by State

Solar Committee begins its work

The town Solar Committee has begun to investigate options for installing solar at municipal facilities in Needham. The committee is considering the issues related to installing solar at the RTS and also on the rooftops of some municipal buildings. In

Recycling results for school and town buildings – 2011-12

Needham is in its fourth year of single-stream recycling in schools and town buildings. How are we doing? Not as well as we could be. The total amount of recycling was about the same in 2011-12 (3rd year) as it

Green Needham Creates new Home Energy Savings Team

To advance our goal of reducing energy use in Needham homes, Green Needham has created a new team, the Home Energy Savings Team. This team will build on our success with the NStar Community Home Energy Challenge, during which we

Capes, Colonials, and Ranches Weatherization Series

Find out how weatherizing your home can save money and energy this winter! As the cold weather sets in, Green Needham Collaborative is offering a series of one-hour workshops addressing the unique weatherization opportunities and challenges for three common types

2013 Annual Fuel Economy Guide now available

The Energy Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 6 released the 2013 Fuel Economy Guide, giving consumers information to help them choose the most fuel-efficient and lowest greenhouse gas-emitting vehicles. The 2013 models include efficient and

Better by Design – Presentation

Did you know that: Energy use for lighting in the new High Rock School is 35% less than code thanks to high efficiency lighting and extensive use of natural light? School buildings designed to a higher standard of energy and

Green Kids

Green Kids groups are active at each of Needham’s Elementary Schools. These student groups, guided by volunteer teachers and parents, organize and run energy and environment-themed educational and service programs at their schools and in the community.

Olin College Graduates Design an Eco-friendly Toothbrush

A recent article in the Boston Globe business section — Design Firm Looks to Reinvent Toothbrush — caught the eye of Green Needham members. The piece featured two recent graduates of Olin College of Engineering, Jake Felser and Ollie Haas,

Better by Design – Join us on Monday, November 26th

Black Friday means shopping for some, but Green Monday is savings for everyone. Join us on the Monday after Thanksgiving – November 26th at 7:00 pm at the Library Community Room for “Better by Design – energy efficiency in Needham’s

Selectmen appoint Solar Exploratory Committee at their November 14th meeting

The Selectmen will appoint the members of the Solar Exploratory Committee at their November 14th meeting. The Committee, authorized by the Selectmen at their September 11th meeting, generated strong interest from Needham citizens interested in serving. The seven residents selected

What happens to the solar panels when they break or wear out? Who covers maintenance?

Most solar panels have an expected lifetime of 25 years, with very little maintenance required. The individual components have lifetimes of ten years and up. The cost of maintenance and extended warranties will be an important factor of the project’s

Will the system work on cloudy, overcast or snowy days? Does the system work when the regular power (the utility grid) is down?

Because photovoltaic (PV) solar systems use the full spectrum of light, the ultraviolet rays are still charging the system, even when the sunlight isn’t visible. Obviously, the system will produce more power on bright sunny days. In the event of

How does solar power work?

Solar systems that produce electricity are known as photovoltaic, or PV, systems. The term “photovoltaics” refers to the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level, using silicon semiconductor materials. The power produced in direct current, or DC.

The landfill is closed and capped to prevent pollution, but will this project harm the landfill cap and lead to pollutant leaks?

Any project built at the RTS has to be done in conjunction with the State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), who is responsible for insuring that closed and capped landfills do not pose an environmental threat. The system can be

Where would this go? What happens to the transfer station?

The PV panels, mounted in frames (arrays), would go on top of the capped former landfill. (This is the flat-topped “hill” that you see, behind the transfer station area.) The transfer station, yard waste and composting areas won’t be affected.

Watch the 10% Energy Challenge Plaque Presentation on The Needham Channel

The October 12th 10% Energy Challenge Plaque Presentation ceremony can be seen on the Needham Channel starting this Thursday, October 18th. The presentation of a brass plaque at Needham’s Powers Hall on October 12th was the culmination of Green Needham’s

Green Needham presents 10% Challenge Plaque at Powers Hall

Green Needham Collaborative wrapped up its 10% Energy Challenge campaign with the presentation of a brass plaque at Needham’s Powers Hall on Friday, October 12. The plaque honors the Town of Needham for its sustainability accomplishments and lists 32 local