The FERC guy did not say that to me, but the incentive from MassTech is much more valuable to me than the grid-tie selling of power. As I said, you need the grid-tie to get the incentive...
I am pretty settled on the DC system now, and I am working on getting the design details worked out. I am currently working on the generator selection to match it to the battery bank and getting quotes on 1000 feet of 6" HDPE...
Below you can find my conversation with Tyler Leeds (leeds@masstech.org). I believe I called both of those installers and both basically said, we don't do hydro, or "hydro is hard".
On Mar 7, 2008, at 4:52 PM, Tyler Leeds wrote:
Mark
Great questions. In response:
(1) You can pursue the project yourself, as long as you meet our insurance requirements, outlined in the solicitation on the SRI website, and have a licensed electrician on the team.
(2) I only know of a couple of small hydro installers here in MA, Pioneer Valley Photovoltaics (http://www.pvsquared.coop/) and Precision Designs, LLC. (Chris Vreeland, PE, 413-269-4965, vreeland67@msn.com)
(3) It sounds like you're on the right track. You may want to talk with a consultant to get a better sense of the requirements, as I'm not sure exactly all of the people you'll have to talk with about the project.
I hope that helps, but certainly if you have additional questions, please let me know. Thanks.
Tyler Leeds
-
I am interested in possibly applying for an SRI grant, but I have a
few questions. I have a site suitable for a microhydro installation
in the neighborhood of 2kW. I have read through the pages, but they
are generally oriented towards solar and wind (this is totally
understandable). I have already done a good bit of homework on how to
build the system itself, but I have a few questions that relate to the
SRI. Unfortunately, the permitting and installation process is a
great deal more complicated in the case of hydro.
1) Are you required to use an installer to get an SRI, or can you
install the system yourself?
- Do you know of any microhydro installers in the state?
- What is a good place to begin with permitting? I know that hydro
requires federal permission from the FERC, and I assume the Mass DEP
has to be involved, but do you know where the best place to start is,
or anyone that has gone through this process that might give me some
advice?
Many thanks,
Mark Corner