Draker Laboratories

Draker Labs provides highly accurate and reliable turnkey monitoring solutions that help owners and operators of commercial- and utility-scale PV systems maximize the efficiency and profitability of their solar assets. Draker’s Sentalis™ monitoring suite combines proven field instrumentation with an intuitive web-based data management system and unmatched customer support.

Northern Power Systems

Northern Power Systems has over 30 years of experience developing and manufacturing advanced, innovative wind turbines. The company’s next generation wind turbine technology is based on a vastly simplified architecture that utilizes a unique combination of permanent magnet generators and direct-drive design.

I have always found wind turbines to be stately structures, the modern day wind mills. They appeal to me, Contrarily others will say that solar is by far more beautiful. Thus… beauty is the in the eye of the beholder.

Inspiration Beyond Vermont

Recently I attended a conference in Florida, and I was checking out what I thought was a bus stop.

As I approached I realized it was a solar panel array with a nice architectural flare.

WOW that looks pretty cool… an ah-ha moment for sure.

So now my perspective of what is beautiful in the alternative energy world has been broadened and I will keep an open mind regarding the variety of energy resources now and future.

Pick of the Week

Once again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Behold this charming reproduction home featuring much of yesteryear’s charm with today’s construction. Exterior features include views both west and east with sunshine all day long; an attached over-sized two-car garage; and a screened-in porch off the master bedroom. Interior features include a formal dinning room and large open kitchen with eating area; a spacious formal living room, and a wood stove and hearth to keep it warm; an office on main level with a fireplace; and a family room upstairs. The master bedroom is extra large and has an attached enclosed porch with screens and windows. The house sits on 3+ acres.

Click HERE for a virtual tour, and when you’re ready to see it in person, contact me and we’ll go together.

Ben & Jerry's Schweddy Balls Ice Cream

Vermont has its share of creative entrepreneurs, perhaps because of the rural nature of our state. We have had our small-town heroes such as Ben and Jerry of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, and the team behind Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Local artists have included such greats as Phish and Grace Potter.

Now, coming up on the horizon, we have a couple of other creators to whom I give praise. One is The Alchemist, a brewery and pub located on Main Street in Waterbury, Vermont. I had the pleasure of going to their newly opened Alchemist Cannery, located just off Route 100 north of Waterbury, with my good friend Kate Carter. At the Cannery they brew their flagship Heady Topper, a very hoppy double IPA. We sampled it and I was impressed. We could actually watch the brew-making process through the showroom and tour area, and buy 16-ounce 4-packs in the retail shop. Sadly, the incredibly popular Alchemist brew-pub on Main Street was hit hard by flooding from Hurricane Irene. They lost their entire brewery in the basement, as well as the pub. Fortunately the owners already had the wheels in motion to open the Cannery at a different location. They plan to re-open the brew-pub as soon as they possibly can. Meanwhile, drop by the Cannery and buy some Heady Topper. You’ll be glad you did!

The new Alchemist Cannery, of the Alchemist Pub & Brewery.

A bag of Rex's Outrageous Road Crunch

Another entrepreneur I am particularly partial to is Rex’s Outrageous Road Crew Crunch, the ultimate in salty-sweet confectionery concoctions. Started by Daren Rexroad and his wife Annette, Daren, affectionately known as Rex, explains that  it all began with an heirloom recipe handed down by his Texan grandma Jobyna. After a few twists and turns, Crunch made its way to the back roads of Vermont. The factory is located in Richmond, but The Rexroads actually reside in Jericho. They are currently putting their home on the market and hitting the road to market their “crunch” throughout the United States.

My all time favorite of all entrepreneurs were the two local 10-year-old girls that put up their lemonade stand at the base of the Pinnacle Trail in Stowe, on Columbus day weekend, which was probably the warmest weekend in October we’ve ever had. They were right there as the hoards of hikers made it back to the bottom just in time to be refreshed by the yummy lemonade our two young locals were serving.

Lemonade for sale at the bottom of the Pinnacle Trail in Stowe.