Last Thursday, City staff presented an educational webinar about Hudson’s initiatives and experiences with solar energy. The webinar is part of American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Demonstration of Energy & Efficiency Developments (DEED) Program.
Hudson Public Power’s Dave Griffith discussed how to install solar panels and the safety issues that can arise, such as electrocution, overloading of circuits, and structural collapse. He also explained the interconnection with the public power grid and the interconnection and net metering agreement. In addition, Griffith introduced Hudson’s successful Solar Training Facility initiative. The facility offers valuable training to public power utilities to learn how to safely install and work with solar panels and systems to avoid common hazards.
Hudson Fire Department Assistant Chief Jeff Alexander discussed the hazards solar installations create for firefighting, including electrical shock, increased load structure, and chemical/toxic gas from burning materials. Alexander also discussed tactics to avoid these hazards and invited any fire department or public power utilities to utilize the training offered by Hudson’ Solar Training Facility.
In addition to firefighting and public power utility training, the Solar Training Facility serves as a learning tool to educate Hudson residents and schools about the benefits of solar energy.
Rhonda Kadish, the City’s Grants Coordinator, explained how the Solar Training Facility program was funded through several grants, sponsorships, and crowdfunding efforts, including a DEED grant. The program is a project of the 2014 Leadership Hudson class.
To learn more about Barlow Community Center Solar Training Facility, click here.
