In our case, we have Basketville Village, a place of employment, of local energy production and of local material usage. Since the buildings that housed this facility are slatted for demolition, it is fitting to use the Basketville Village history of using locally available materials as a theme.

The history of the village is mainly about producing baskets. This process involves using locally available materials (willow from the wet lands) and steam (water from Sacketts Brook) to soften and shape this material. We can have educational Kiosks with this historic information. In addition, we can show how to do the same work without using fossil fuels or wood as an energy source.

On display – components of an energy park

1. Photo voltaic panels on poles of different styles to highlight the tracking technology and other possibilities.

3. Solar powered steam whistles, with a row of concentrating collectors , we could produce steam to power the whistles that Frank Wilson has (in storage) then once a day at mid-day, we could use this steam to make a historic noise. Otherwise, we could use this energy to turn a small steam powered generator and make electricity or just use the heat. 

Perhaps Frank Wilson would donate the now unused whistles to our project.

Below are examples of passive hot water heating systems.

4. Solar Hot water panels, used to heat nearby buildings or to melt snow off the road. These would be monitored, with a yearly readout and cost benefits shown to the public.

5.  Bio fuel generation and distribution site. Possible co-generation for heat and electricity.  This has been discussed by the BACLT – Housing Vermont group.

8. Public information kiosks, displaying the energy saving technologies used in the Basketville village development project. Including; (1) a historic information showing how steam was used in the production of baskets at Basketville and the whistles. (2) monitoring stations for the wind, hydro and PV systems. (3) Maps to other solar installations around the state. 4. Maps to other green developments and maps to the nature trails (5) business directory within the project and the town of Putney. (6) Heated benches when its cold and sidewalks that melt the snow.

Where would this park live?
I see a space at the southern end of the Basketville Development project, surrounded by the entrance and exit ramps to the US 5 roadway, in what is now the parking area.  Other locations might include, near the Putney Coop, at the south end of Putney or near the Putney Central School.

Why have a solar energy park?
This park will provide the following benefits;

As the first joint project between PEC and WEG, this project will strengthen both groups experience of working together and by bringing name recognition to WEG and PEC as community leaders in alternative energy projects. This project will also.

1. Attract tourists to the Putney area and educate them on the variety of solar energy technologies.
2. Educate people on the history of local energy production and local resource usage of the Basketville Village site.
3. Provide shade and power for a variety of usage.
4. Offset the cost of electricity usage. PV Panels last 30 to 50 years, producing electricity every day for free after payback
5. Attract like-minded business ventures to the area.
6. Provide inspiration to residents to think differently.
 

Examples of solar energy parks range from small to large.
http://www.energypark.org/
http://www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/project_detail.cfm/sp_id=768
http://www.brocktonmass.com/news/publish/5000672.shtml
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/solarwhitehouse.htm