Free public workshop May 18 to offer residents info on solar panels

By Michele Bourdieu

The public is invited to learn about saving money with solar power at this free public workshop, Going Solar in the Keweenaw, Monday, May 18. (Poster courtesy energizehoughton.org)

HOUGHTON -- High electricity rates mean that solar power can be a good deal in the Keweenaw. A workshop, Going Solar in the Keweenaw, will show local residents how to save money on electricity by installing solar panels.

This free public workshop will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, May 18, in Fisher 139 on the Michigan Tech campus. The presenter will be Abhilash "Abhi" Kantamneni, PhD student in Computer Science at Michigan Tech and author of the Michigan Solar Calculator and Guidebook.

Wondering if solar is for you? Abhi has answers to questions like these:

    How many panels do I need?
    How much will it cost?
    How soon can I pay it back?
    What about snow?
    Can I do it myself?
    Are there permits or rules?

This workshop will walk you through everything you need to know about going solar in Houghton: from dealing with snow on panels to utility interconnection agreements. Attendees are asked to bring copies of their electric bills over a 12-month period.

"Abhi" Kantamneni has given several local presentations on solar energy and has worked with the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) on their Houghton County Energy Plan.*

At the April 23, 2015, Lake Superior Celebration of Energy and Sustainability at the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), Abhi announced this workshop and presented an overview of his reasons for wanting to "Solarize Houghton." He began by explaining how surprised he was when he arrived at Michigan Tech from India and noted the absence of solar energy -- and how he was even more surprised when he received his first electric bill.

Here are some video excerpts from Abhi's presentation at the GLRC:

During his solar presentation at the April 23 Lake Superior Celebration of Energy and Sustainability, Abhi speaks about the high electricity bills in the Upper Peninsula and explains why snow should not be an obstacle to installing solar panels. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Here Abhi demonstrates why Houghton, because of its high electric bills, offers a greater return on solar investment than areas with more sunshine.

Abhi said his hope is to make Houghton County the most solar-friendly county in the United States. He also spoke about his plan for a series of workshops for both high school students and adults -- including this upcoming May 18 workshop -- so that residents can learn about solar and decide for themselves whether it is worth their investment.**

Houghton resident installs vertical solar panels

Just two days after the GLRC Lake Superior Celebration, on April 25, 2015, one Houghton resident celebrated his own installation of an extensive residential solar array -- 36 vertical panels -- by hosting a talk by the engineer who helped him plan the project, which, after only three winter months, was already earning a credit on his electric bill.

This photo shows the solar panel array installed at 1104 Datolite Street in Houghton, an apartment complex owned by Allan Baker, who took the photo during snowfall in early April in order to show that snow does not accumulate on the panels. (File photo © and courtesy Allan Baker) 

Houghton Realtor Allan Baker worked with his friend and consultant, James Malosh -- a Michigan Tech graduate who is a professional engineer with a PhD in mechanical engineering, a founding fellow of the Institute of Diagnostic Engineers and the holder of five patents -- to determine the most economical and scientific way to install solar panels on an apartment building Baker owns in Houghton.

Here are some video clips from Malosh's presentation, "An Engineering Approach to Solar PV Installation":

Engineer James Malosh presents the design criteria he and Allan Baker considered in order to choose the design for the solar array on Baker's property in Houghton. Malosh gives several considerations that led to their decision to choose a vertical design. Click on YouTube icon to view this video on a larger screen. (Videos © and courtesy Allan Baker)

Malosh reports savings on electric bills this past winter through the net-metering with this solar array. He notes the savings for a year would probably equal 10 percent of the costs for purchasing and installing the system -- allowing it to pay for itself in 10 years.

Following the presentation, members of the audience asked questions and shared their own interests in solar panels.

Allan Baker (standing) circulates through the audience with a microphone to allow people to ask questions and make comments.(Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Baker is excited about sharing his experience with others and encourages interested local residents to consider joining a buying group to save costs on solar panels.

"A group of us have formed a solar buying group," Baker says. "We hope to get a wholesale price on solar panels and possibly help one another put them up."

Baker has also attended meetings of the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) and plans to share his ideas with them. He plans to attend Abhi's May 18 workshop and participate in the efforts to Solarize Houghton.

If you are interested in joining the solar buying group, contact Baker at abaker@allansrealty.com.

* Click here to read about the Houghton County Energy Plan.

** For more information visit the Solarize Houghton website.

Houghton County Dems to host Solar Power presentation TONIGHT, Jan. 7, at Super 8

HOUGHTON -- The first regular membership meeting of the Houghton County Democratic Party in 2015 will be held at 7 p.m. TONIGHT, Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the conference room of the Super 8 Motel in Houghton. Members and friends are welcome.

Did you see that glimpse of sunshine this week? What better time to celebrate the sun in January than to find out how solar power is easier and more affordable than you think?

The meeting will feature a presentation by Abhilash "Abhi" Kantamnemi, a research engineer at the Keweenaw Research Center. He has done extensive research into the viability of solar power in the Upper Peninsula and has helped several area residents install solar power for themselves.

Abhilash (Abhi) Kantamneni, second from left, joins in a discussion during the Oct. 3, 2014, Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) core leadership team meeting at Portage Lake District Library. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

"The basics of solar is really pretty straightforward; a lot of people in the area have installed solar themselves," Kantamnemi said. "Your installs could be 50 percent cheaper if you DIY (do it yourself)."

His presentation will feature an idea to start solar "co-ops," in which interested parties can put in a bulk order to save on costs and shipping charges.

For those who might be interested in obtaining solar power but may want a professional installation Kantamnemi suggested Dave Camps at Blue Terra (906-231-3995) in Hancock or Ian Olmsted from Marquette (517-242-2558).

More information can be obtained at www.SolarizeHoughton.org .

Green Lecture Series to present "Solar Powering Michigan" Oct. 30

HOUGHTON -- The 2014 Green Lecture Series will present "Solar Powering Michigan" from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, in G002 Hesterberg Hall, Forestry Building, Michigan Tech.

Admission is free. Enjoy coffee, tea and refreshments before the lecture.

Many local markets in Michigan present significant opportunities for solar photovoltaic development due to high electricity rates. The presentation will cover the basics of going solar on your own property -- and the future of solar in the regional energy mix.

Abhilash (Abhi) Kantamneni, PhD student in Michigan Tech's Department of Computer Science, will make the presentation.

Abhilash (Abhi) Kantamneni, second from left, joins in a discussion during the Oct. 3, 2014, Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) core leadership team meeting at Portage Lake District Library. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Kantamneni earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Anna University, India, and a Master’s Degree in Physics from Michigan Tech before pursuing a PhD in Computer Science. While his research focuses on Artificial Intelligence in the design of smart power systems of the future, his work with solar energy has achieved widespread acclaim across the state and the country. This includes talks at Solar Powering Michigan, Michigan Interpower Faith and Light and Superior Watershed Partnership conferences, and articles by Michigan Land Use Institute, Clean Power Now Michigan, and Midwest Energy News.  His free online "Solar Calculator" is used by hundreds of Michigan residents to estimate the value of going solar. Abhi is currently developing curriculum to prepare returning veterans for the growing American renewable energy job market.

The Green Lecture Series is co-sponsored by Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and Keweenaw Land Trust.

Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) core leadership team to meet Oct. 3 at Portage Library

By Richelle Winkler*

During the Sept. 17, 2014, community meeting hosted by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET), Richelle Winkler, Michigan Tech assistant professor of sociology and demography, leads a community group discussion on priorities for developing a future energy vision for the local area. (Photos by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) core leadership team meeting will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 3, at the Portage Lake District Library. The public is welcome to attend.

Here is the agenda:

• Welcome and general announcements.
• Summary of the community kick-off meeting we held Sept 17. Did anyone take pictures?

Abhilash Kantamneni, Michigan Tech Ph.D. candidate in computer science who does research on solar energy at the Keweenaw Research Center, addresses participants at the Sept. 17 community meeting hosted by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team.**

• Introduce graduate students who are writing our Community Energy Plan for the GUEP (Georgetown University Energy Prize) due Nov 10.
• Vision statement: the graduate student team will present a vision statement they gleaned from the discussion notes from the Sept. 17 meeting. Opportunity will be offered to provide feedback and make adjustments as necessary. This vision statement will serve as a guide as the team develops more specific goals and strategies. Essentially, it should inform everything HEET does.
• Goals. The graduate student team will present a set of goals associated with the vision statement. These goals are the more specific and measurable things HEET wants to accomplish. They should be realistic and attainable but might also carry significant weight. They should have specific time frames attached, and the time frame might vary for each -- within one year weatherize 500 homes, within five years incorporate 20 percent renewable, etc. We'll have a chance to provide feedback and suggest additional or different goals.
• Update on application submission and next steps in GUEP.
• What will we do with the money? Set up a trustee board now.
• Discussion on how we can better engage and work more closely with utilities. How can we find common ground? How can we work together?
• Weatherization coordination: New Power Tour, HEET, community organizations -- Melissa Davis.

Editor's Notes:

* Richelle Winkler is Michigan Tech assistant professor of sociology and demography in the Environment and Energy Policy Program, Department of Social Sciences. (Please excuse our original misspelling of Prof. Winkler's first name. Now corrected.)

** See the Sept. 29, 2014, Michigan Land Use Institute article about Abhilash Kantamneni's work with solar energy, "MTU scientist says high rates make rooftop solar a good Up North deal."