**CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER**
Stay Tuned to See When we can Reschedule

Freeport Energy Myth Busters: Home Solar & Heat Pumps

March 23, 2024 9am-12pm, Freeport Community Center
Free to the Public

Learn about the benefits, challenges, and real-world applications of these sustainable technologies. Additionally, find out how to access funding for your green energy projects through available incentives. Join us for an engaging exploration of how to enhance your home's energy efficiency and contribute to environmental sustainability.


Please Join Us!

Links to speakers & presentations below

Partner event hosted by
FreeportCAN
Freeport Community Services & Balsam Realty.

Keynote &Welcome

Beth Ahearn
Director of Government Affairs
Maine Conservation Voters

Beth joined MCV’s staff in 2012. Her work entails lobbying for climate, environmental, and voting rights legislation as well as working to elect conservationists to office. Beth has a lifelong commitment to protecting Maine’s air, land and water. She received her J.D. from the University of Maine in 1988 and a B.A. in Environmental Policy from Brown University in 1982. Beth was staff attorney for Maine Audubon from 1991–1996. She enjoys nordic skiing, biking, sailing, birdwatching, and gardening. She lives with her family in Freeport.

Panels

Clear Skies Ahead:
Navigating the Solar Landscape

Discover the truth about installing solar panels at your home from both an expert's perspective and the experiences of homeowners. Q&A. 

Speakers: Sam Zuckerman, , Maine Solar Solutions, Mandana MacPherson & Nate Ellis, Homeowners with solar installations.

  • Sam Zuckerman founded Maine Solar Solutions in 2012. Sam combined a lifelong interest in environmentalism and conservation with a professional history in the construction industry when he started Maine Solar Solutions over ten years ago. Sam’s mission has always been to empower prospective customers with the information they need to make informed decisions about the benefits of renewable energy. As Maine Solar Solutions’ workforce approaches 50 people in three Maine locations, he finds gratification in the development and mentoring of solar professionals and licensed electricians.

  • Mandana MacPherson End-user of solar panels and heat pump combination, has been on the faculty at Stanford, California College of the Arts, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and Academy of Art University and has worked with organizations such as the Natural Step, an international sustainability think tank, creating and consulting on ecological design curriculum, tools, and programming. She currently lives in Maine and travels to California annually to teach. She serves on the Town of Freeport Sustainability Advisory Board.

  • Nate Ellis End-user of solar panels, graduated from the University of Maine with a Masters in Civil Engineering and a focus on Structural Engineering. He is also the owner of N-E Construction and NorthEast Insulation Services.

The Heat Pump Revolution:
Facts vs. Fiction

Is a heat pump the right choice for your home? Explore the advantages and drawbacks, and come prepared with your challenging questions. Q&A

Speaker: Scott Libby, Co-owner of RoyalRiverHeatPumps.com, Jim Reinertsen, Heat Pump Homeowner

  • Scott Libby With over 35 years of experience and training in the HVAC industry Scott decided to create a company that would be a place where he wanted to work; a Heat Pump Installation company that meets his high standards of quality, integrity and community. Scott enjoys golf, skiing and building science.

  • Jim Reinertsen AIA, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, GGP
    Jim is a resident of Freeport and homeowner with heat pumps. As Senior Project Manager at Sustainable Design Consulting, he draws upon his experience leading teams of designers, owners, and contractors to meet their goals in sustainable design. He provides remote-process management for a range of green building projects, including educational and state government facilities, mixed-use, and multi-unit residential buildings. He also serves as a member of the Town of Freeport Sustainability Advisory Board.


Energize with Incentives: Financing Solar and Heat Pump Projects

Interested in installing solar panels, heat pumps, or initiating energy-saving projects? Learn where to secure the necessary funding. Q&A

Speaker: Bridget Gifford, Senior Program Manager, Efficiency Maine Trust, Robert Stevens

  • Bridget Gifford has worked with Efficiency Maine for seven years focusing on low income initiatives. She has worked in New York and Maine with efficiency programs and utility providers. Efficiency Maine, a public benefits fund for energy efficiency programs, provides rebates designed to save Maine people money on weatherization, efficiency heating, and the purchase of electric vehicles.

  • Bob Stevens has been active in Freeport, having served on the Town Council and Planning Board, and Freeport Community Services and Freeport Conservation Trust boards. His law practice involved real estate work on electricity production and transmission, including hydro and solar. He serves on the Board of Freeport Climate Action Now (FreeportCAN) and the Town of Freeport Sustainability Advisory Board and helped design the Freeport rebate program.

Visit the Event Tables