photos by Guy Marsden
WISCASSET - On April 26, Chewonki held its annual Sustainable Energy Conference. The day-long event was highlighted by a keynote speech by Paul Kando of Midcoast Green Collaborative, and the unveiling of a new thermal-PV system by Ascendent Energy’s Chris Straka.
The new Ascendent Energy panels are a hybrid that features both solar heat, for warming hot water, and PV, for generating electricity. Ascendant's Solar Heat and Power (SHP) invention is being piloted at Chewonki this spring as part of an award given by the Maine Technology Institute.
Paul Kando addressed the latest science, the warning signs, and the anticipated tipping points that will affect our world and our region. He spoke on the many things people and nations around the world (with very similar resources to our own) are doing about climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels.
“What some see as a looming crisis, others see as the opportunity of a lifetime,” he said. “Both views are right, of course. But which of the two will prevail depends on whether we are willing,with a reasoned urgency, to act. There are clouds on the horizon, but I plan to convince you of their silver lining. Then I will leave you with an open question- What are we waiting for?”
Other workshops included Mike White of Zero Energy Homes and Island Carpentry, speaking about Green Building, John Logan, speaking on Geothermal Energy, Fortunat Mueller, speaking on Solar Hot Water, Rob Taisey, on Solar Air Heating, Jo-Ann Choate and Lucy Van Hook of Maine Housing, on Renewables and Economics.
The Conference also featured exhibitors in varied areas, such as wood heat, hybrid and electric vehicles, biomass, and more.
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