TWO ELECTED TO SEBANE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In balloting conducted in June, Paul Lyons and Rod Viens were elected to three-year terms on the SEBANE Board of Directors. They join SEBANE's eight member Board.

Paul is founder and president of Zapotec Energy, a Cambridge, MA company that provides consulting and solar design/build services to a variety of residential, commercial, institutional and utility clients. Paul is a registered mechanical engineer, a licensed construction supervisor, a LEED Accredited Professional and a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer.

Rod is vice president of operations with groSolar, a national solar project developer based in Vermont. He is responsible for the company's distribution and installation activities. Rod joined groSolar with extensive experience in the construction industry.

MEMBERS FOCUS ON SAFETY AND NEW REGULATIONS AT ANNUAL MEETING
SEBANE members met at Holy Cross College on June 25 for the SEBANE Annual Meeting. The meeting opened with a welcome from SEBANE President Steven Strong (Solar Design Associates) who pointed out the tremendous growth the industry and SEBANE have experienced over the last year. He announced the election of two new Board members (see above) and honored Chris Derby Kilfoyle (Berkshire Valley Photovoltaic Services) and Moneer Azzam (SolarOne) who are retiring from the Board after years of service.

Brief presentations were offered on the status of state-sponsored PV initiatives by Bill Stillinger (Pioneer Valley PV) on Connecticut efforts and by Sam Nutter (Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust) on the success of Massachusetts' Commonwealth Solar program, solar renewable energy certificate discussions, utility installed PV, and stimulus funding for PV systems.

Paul Gromer, SEBANE Executive Director, provided an update on net metering regulations being developed in Massachusetts, identifying issues that are still being resolved. These issues include treatment of net excess generation credits, load requirements for municipal wind projects that meet the 2 MW size limit, and the ability of installations over 60 kW that are in place prior to regulations to qualify for net metering treatment. Paul also expressed hope that the tariff filings by individual utilities would be in place by the end of 2009.

Sam Nutter introduced David Beavers (The Cadmus Group) and Jim Bing (New Energy Options), who reported on the findings from a series of PV inspections Cadmus completed for the Massachusetts Trust. Cadmus found that new installers entering the field are making wiring mistakes that in the worst cases have necessitated system shutdowns until they are corrected. Subsequent inspections on the same installers found that problems decreased significantly with feedback. Nevertheless, Cadmus argues that there is a need for better installer training to ensure that consumer safety is protected and to avoid an event or events that result in loss of life or property.

Member Dan Leary (NexAmp, Inc.) provided an update on efforts to address changes to the Massachusetts Building Code which together could adversely affect the requirements for PV installations. At issue are requirements and limits associated with snow loading, wind, and seismic strength that could be triggered by PV installations on roofs, as well as equipment testing guidelines. Dan has been working with the Board of Building Regulations and Standards staff to develop and put in place emergency rules that would minimize problems for PV installations without compromising building integrity and public safety.

SUNPOWER ANNOUNCES RESIDENTIAL LOAN PROGRAM
SunPower teams with California credit union to offer homeowners financial assistance.

SPIRE AND GLORIA SOLAR DISSOLVE JOINT VENTURE
Spire to concentrate on U.S. market opportunities.

SUNEDISON OPENS RENEWABLE OPERATIONS CENTER
Center serves as nation-wide management facility.

AKEENA SOLAR RECEIVES SEIA AWARD
Presented SEIA "Industry Innovator Award" for solar panel system.

SUNPOWER CORPORATION RECEIVES SEIA AWARD
Presented SEIA "Industry Innovator Award" for solar cell design.

ALTERIS RENEWABLES ACQUIRES RENEWABLE POWER SYSTEMS LLC
New York firm becomes latest addition to northeast integrator.

SATCON TO POWER HAWAIIAN SOLAR FARM
Project is first to be remotely controlled by a utility.

SOLARONE PROVIDES WEB-BASED LIGHTING EVALUATION TOOL
The on-line tool aids the sizing and performance of stand-alone solar-powered lighting systems.

EVERGREEN SOLAR DEBUTS BLACK-FRAMED PANELS
The 200, 205 and 210 W solar panels are designed with a black frame that improves the aesthetic appearance of solar arrays.

UPDATE ON MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF STATE EXAMINERS OF ELECTRICIANS RULING
Over the past few months, SEBANE has been working with the MA Board of State Examiners of Electricians (BSEE) in an effort to address the BSEE's interpretation that Chapter 141 section 1A requires all aspects of PV installations be completed only by licensed electricians.

Despite a determination by the MA Board of Building Regulation and Standards that a building permit and construction supervisors license is necessary to address critical structural issues associated with protecting public safety, the BSEE has been steadfast in their position. On May 1, the BSEE affirmed their interpretation in a letter to the state's local wiring inspectors. SEBANE continues to work for a broader interpretation of what skills and expertise are required for PV installations, recognizing that many trades, including electricians, should have a role in the installation process, depending on the requirements of individual installations.

VERMONT'S FEED-IN TARIFF BECOMES LAW
The first-in-the-nation legislation establishes renewable tariffs.

BOSTON'S LOGAN AIRPORT TO ADD SOLAR TO PARKING STRUCTURE
The Massachusetts Port Authority has approved $55.7 million to rehabilitate the Terminal B parking garage at Logan International Airport.

DATABASE OF STATE INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLE & EFFICIENCY WEBSITE IS REVISED
DSIRE web site adds solar component.

ADI Energy is a developer of commercial energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in New England. ADI is based in Warwick, RI.

J. F. White Contracting Company is a multi-disciplined heavy/civil contractor. The firm is located in Framingham, MA.

JM Electrical Company is Greater Boston's largest provider of specialized electrical construction work, including alternative energy systems. The firm is located in Lynnfield, MA.

Marchetti Engineering offers a full-spectrum of residential and commercial solar electric on/off grid power systems sales and service. The firm's offices are in Fitchburg, MA.

Murphy Electrical & Industrial Control installs a variety of energy management and alternative energy systems. The company is located in Pembroke, MA.

SolarFest 2009 July 10 - 12 - Tinmouth, VT The 15th annual SolarFest offers over 90 workshops on renewable energy and sustainability topics, as well as world-class musicians, dancers and performance artists, and a stellar line-up of speakers.