A New Hampshire pub, whose history dates back to the 1930s, is getting a 21st century overhaul, with the addition of a 126-panel solar array. Construction of the system for the Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille will be carried out by groSolar and get underway in the coming weeks.
groSolar beat off competition from five other firms to win the contract. “The decision had to do with company experience and depth, value-added components, and price,” said Tom Mills, owner of the Flying Goose. “The hard part was choosing one from the five companies, all of which gave good, qualified proposals.”
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The system, which will lower the Flying Goose’s annual electric bill by 25%, is just one part of the pub’s $250,000 renewable energy investment; among the other initiatives is a recently-completed 25-panel solar hot water system – installed by Clean REsolution and Bright Light Solar.
A 30% federal cash grant and New Hampshire State rebates helped convince Mills to make the investment in the pub’s green legacy, which he financed with the help of a bank business loan. “The environmental benefit is significant, but we would not be making a $250,000 investment unless it made good business sense,” added Mills.
Mills also plans to use the PV system as an educational tool by working with the installation companies to offer solar education seminars and building a kiosk that illustrates the real-time performance of the pub's solar panels.
“It’s truly commendable for an establishment as well known and respected as the Flying Goose to take the lead as the first solar electric powered brewery in the state,” says Jeff Wolfe, CEO, groSolar. “We look forward to a long-term partnership with Tom and his management team to help educate businesses and homeowners in the Upper Valley and across New Hampshire about the benefits of going solar.”