Events

Are your energy costs a significant part of your operating costs? Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative (PAREI) knows small businesses and farmers are the backbone of New Hampshire communities, and rising energy costs are a significant burden for many business owners. PAREI and Clean Energy NH’s free technical assistance can help you assess whether your business would benefit from investing in energy efficiency or renewable energy to provide financial stability and energy savings for years to come. Technical assistance includes site visits, contractor outreach, and review of financial incentives and resources, as well as help preparing USDA Rural Energy for America Program grant applications. If saving money and energy interests you, this workshop can help you learn more. This event is cohosted by Central New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and the Grafton Regional Development Corporation. This online event is free and open to all, but advance registration is required. Register HERE. Presenters: Sandra Jones, M.Ed – Sandra co-founded PAREI in 2004, served as director until 2024, and continues with the organization as programs director and solar manager. Under her leadership, PAREI developed innovative programming and partnerships such as NHSaves Button Up Workshops, the Energy Efficiency Training Program, Plymouth’s Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant, Plymouth Water and Sewer’s 121kW PV installation, NH Rural Renewables, NH Solar Shares – Solar For All, and Local Food Plymouth’s Farm-to-Community Food Share programs. Sandra’s background includes teaching, directing electoral and educational campaigns, co-owning a bicycle shop, and running a statewide career guidance program to help families move from welfare to self-sufficiency.  When she’s not at PAREI, you can find Sandra skiing, biking, hiking and gardening. Craig Cadieux, Energy Advisor – Craig has more than 15 years of experience in the clean energy field. He spent 8 years with ReVision Energy as a Solar Designer, working with individuals, families, farms, and businesses to design solar, battery storage, and heat pump systems. He previously served as PAREI’s Energy Solutions Advisor. Craig has been certified by the North American Board of Solar Practitioners (NABCEP) in both Solar Electric and Solar Thermal, and he has held a number of certifications from the Building Performance Initiative (BPI) related to building efficiency. He has a strong background in designing and building net-zero and near net-zero homes, and is a strong believer that the cleanest energy is the energy that’s not used. Gabriel Chelius, Small Business Circuit Rider – Gabe joined Clean Energy NH in May of 2022, helping small businesses in the North Country access funding streams for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. In 2024, Gabe’s area of operation expanded to include helping rural small business and farmers across New Hampshire access USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funds to support investments in efficient and renewable energy sources.

Join NHEC leaders to learn how power reaches members, hear an overview of the NE electricity market, what trends look like over the next 3-5 years for the electricity market and what they expect the future to be for renewable energy in meeting electricity needs. Speakers CEO & President, Michael Jennings Director of Power Resources & Access, Rob Howland Senior Power & Access Analyst, Sydney Marshall Program NHEC presentation Q&A + informal networking Get to know your local utility and how they view the future of renewables in meeting our electricity needs. REGISTER HERE Light appetizers provided by NHEC and a cash bar

Grab your coffee and join us for an informal hour where we’ll dive into everything you need to know about solar energy. This is a relaxed, open space where you can: Ask any questions you have about going solar Learn what’s involved in the solar process Connect with others who are at the same stage Gain the confidence to take the next step in your solar journey Whether you’re just starting to explore or already looking to make the switch, we’re here to help and guide you every step of the way!

Grab your lunch and join us for an informal hour where we’ll dive into what you need to know or think about ahead of time concerning solar energy and energy efficiency upgrades. This is a relaxed, open space where you can:   Ask questions you have about your home's energy usage and concerns  Discuss projects you are considering and wanting professional feedback before moving forward  Learn what’s involved in installing a solar PV system  Connect with others who are like-minded  Gain the confidence to take the next step in your energy journey to REDUCE your energy use or PRODUCE solar energy at your home   Whether you’re a homeowner just starting to explore energy project options or already jumping in, PAREI provides many services that can guide you every step of the way!  Register here.

Come celebrate NH Energy Week and join PAREI and Clean Energy NH for two virtual NHSaves Button Up Workshops on May 6, 2026. Two workshops at 12:00 and 6:30 PM Register for 12:00 workshop HERE Register for 6:30 workshop HERE

Join POW AF and Clean Energy NH to discuss how outdoor enthusiasts can support a clean energy transition. Learn more about New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, the nonprofit, customer-owned organization that brings electricity and high-speed internet to rural NH communities, and how your vote will shape the way its run. You’ll hear from candidates asking for your vote for an affordable, reliable, and clean energy future our families deserve. Learn more:: https://powactionfund.org/https://powactionfund.org//event/pow-x-clean-energy-new-hampshire/

Join us to meet the three candidates running as a slate for the upcoming NHEC election. Tell us you are coming!

Catch it, Color it, Conserve it You’re invited to PAREI’s first ever Rain Barrel Painting Event, on Saturday, May 30th at the NH Solar Shares Array, located at 231 Main St in front of the Common Man in Plymouth. Join your neighbors for a fun, creative, and meaningful community event where art meets environmental action! Paint and personalize your own rain barrel and learn how to install and use it at home.   Registrants can opt to bring their own rain barrel or order one through PAREI. We will be ordering barrels from Massachusetts-based company, The Great American Rain Barrel Company. They repurpose food-grade shipping drums to create rain barrels at their factory in Hyde Park, MA.  The first six registrants can purchase them for $100 through us. Here’s a link to another one from Home Depot if you’d like to purchase one on your own. If you want to join us but not purchase a barrel, you are still welcome to come! PAREI will need help painting the office's rain barrel, and we will also be joining some NH Solar Shares participants to help plant their edible garden.   Please use this payment form to register and tell us your project preferences.

Join the New Hampshire Music Festival and PAREI for an afternoon of music, community, and fresh local flavor to celebrate our love of music and Local Foods Plymouth's 20th anniversary. From 3:30-4:30pm, the NHMF Brass Quintet -- featuring Bob Marlatt, Grace O’Connell, Wiff Rudd, David Loucky, and Don Robinson -- will perform a Music in the Mountains concert. Please bring a blanket or chairs to sit and listen, and join us for some celebratory anniversary cake and drinks during the concert! Have an old clarinet or trumpet sitting in your closet? At this event, NHMF will also be accepting used band or orchestral instruments (no pianos) to support our Lonely Instruments in Need of Kids (L.I.N.K.) which matches instruments with local kids who want to learn to play. We look forward to seeing you at this special event to listen to some incredible music, drop off your gently used instruments, pick up your virtual market order, and celebrate together! Click and tell us you are coming.

In all the ways we approach climate resiliency, end-of-life practices are often overlooked despite their significant carbon output and use of natural resources. NH's first independent natural burial cemetery, Oliverian Everlasting Burial Ground, addresses conservation of intrinsically valuable land while providing space for environmentally responsible after-death disposition.  Located in Benton Flats, Oliverian Everlasting welcomes all who are looking for a place to rest in nature. Offering natural burials—simple, authentic, affordable—on 28.9 acres of woodland, stream, and meadow that abut the White Mountain National Forest and State of New Hampshire and other conserved land, an essential part of the area's ecological picture. Many PAREI members have been part of this journey to create New Hampshire's first natural burial cemetery and we hope that others will become involved. Join us for a tour of the land where representatives will share the vision for its future use as a burial ground, natural sanctuary, and recreational destination. Register to let us know you are coming.