Creative Problem Solving

We are already seeing a diverse combination of community needs and potential solutions arising in the Community Conversations. Applications for grants and/or loans should reflect the best, most cost saving/effective solution you conclude after doing your energy use and efficiency study. Solar technologies are the USDA-approved renewables for this project (which can be  proposed in conjunction with wind, hydrogen, or other applicant-funded renewable technologies), and there are other interesting and effective energy conservation options possible as well.

The basic guidelines are that the practice an applicant proposes – solar PV system equipment, solar hot water systems, associated energy efficiency equipment or appliances, for new builds, residential retrofits, or commercial building installation for example – must be designed to lower the electric costs of the residence, farm, or office.  HOW you solve the challenge of lowering your electric costs is ultimately your decision and WHSEP can provide technical expert assistance to review suggestions and cost analysis to help you obtain the best information possible. The challenge you identify is up  to you; the choice of a proposed solution is yours. Extra points will be awarded to applications that include an innovative solar technology component.

To date we have had Applicants suggest their needs and ideas for: a solar food dehydrator to develop new food products on their farm, upgrading outdated solar hot water systems, installing a solar water pump for irrigation, adding new batteries to an existing solar panel system, building a Lexan-over-black-metal roof addition to a processing shed to capture hot air that circulates to dry coffee beans, installing solar attic fans (that cool the  house vs. using air conditioning), installing a solar powered evaporative cooler, adding a solar powered motor to an entry gate, and adding solar skylights (versus costly light bulb use) and solar attic fans /room fans.

We encourage creative cost effective solutions

and plan to share Best Practices

with the community as models for

cost  effective / cost  saving solutions.

Other possibilities that could complement a solar energy system proposal include: tinting windows to reduce heat transfer into your home, adding insulated curtains to cut down on use of air conditioning, a solar UV filter for water purification for catchment tanks, adding new windows to increase natural ventilation, installing awnings to cut down on heat transfer from direct sun, coating a roof with exterior insulation or adding interior insulation in an attic, or building a passive solar fermentation vat for cacao production.