My grandparents installed solar energy in the 1990's -- when we moved to Harvard, our family did so too soon after. We have a 10 kilowatt system (maximum non-commercial allowed in MA) that is providing for most of our energy needs throughout the year. 

In an effort to go green we have installed heat pumps and solar panels; bought an electric car; and grew a pollinator garden in our back meadow. We also have a gas stove top. We are pleased with all these changes. Ira especially likes his green 
mini Cooper and we are surprised we see so few electric cars in town. The pollinator garden is beautiful thanks to our daughter Lauren. Going green is important. We have started but we still have a long way to go. We are happy to speak to anyone who has questions for us. Just stop by.
Judy and Ira Ockene, Fairbank St

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Our first step for climate action was taken over 12 years ago, in April 2012.  We were part of the first group of residents to sign up for a solar installation.  Worth Robbins organized an introductory presentation in 2011 and I realized our barn roof had the perfect exposure for locating an array of panels.  It has been a very good investment for us and reduced our carbon foot print for over decade.  On a cash basis, including federal and state credits, payoff was in 4.75 yrs.  On a present value basis uing a 7% discount rate, payoff was in 7 years.  We routinely only pay an electric bill 5-6 months/year but several of those months it is a nominal amount.  Our annual electricity costs ar $400-$600.  At the time of our installation, I wanted to get the "newest technology" of a battery backup.  I was told that a such a system would take up approximately half our basement.  Recently, we completed construction of a new house on Cape Cod and installed solar panels and a Tesla power wall.  The power wall is no bigger than a radiator.  Technogical progress is happening fast and we can all take advantage of that to reduce our carbon footprint.

Tax incentives too hard to pass up for even more solar panels on our roof (thank you Inflation Reduction Act!). We should now be nearly at net zero for electricity with Harvard's 100% renewable energy for the small amount we draw from National Grid on cloudy/low sun days.

We compost all of our food scraps in a pile at the edge of the woods in our backyard. We use a large stainless steel soup pot with a lid to store foodscraps, which we empty 3 or 4 times a week. A pot like the one we have is very easy to find at a store like Marshalls, and also quite affordable. Composting very managable, and there are absolutely no unpleasant odors like the ones that come from kitchen trash (especially when it is so hot during the summer!). We started composting about 7 years ago, and we haven't put a single food scrap in the trash since. Composting is one of the simplest things you can do for the environment, so get started today! 

We've been a member of the Chestnut Farm's CSA for many years. We do this to contribute to a reduced carbon footprint, a more environmentally responsible and sustainable ecosystem and more humane conditions for the animals.