Archive for the ‘Solar Projects’ Category
EmPower Intern Accepted to MIT
EmPower Solar congratulates Josh Haimson our exceptional summer intern, for acceptance to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) class of 2016. Josh is the third EmPower team member to attend MIT. He is currently a senior at Mepham High School in Bellmore, NY.
Josh was a stellar intern and was a pleasure to have in the office. He provided a wide range of technical, administrative, creative, and direct business development support for the sales, marketing and engineering departments. Josh is motivated by all the right reasons. In order to get hired and stay at this company you have to represent the EmPowering Way values: Professionalism, Teamwork, Excellence, Client Focus and Commitment to Clean Energy. Josh represents the EmPowering Way and then some. He is committed to the broader themes of sustainability. He grasps that a smarter, cleaner, and greener energy infrastructure will lead to a more prosperous, healthy and civil world. He wants to contribute to a better world in a big way.
Impressively, Josh also demonstrated to his parents that going solar made economic sense. The Haimson’s are now EmPowered with a 10 kW system.
David Schieren, CEO, and Greg Sachs, COO commented that “his combination of intellect, technical competency, cultural understanding and emotional intelligence at his age (or at any age) is something we’ve never encountered before. Josh is remarkable and everyone at EmPower speaks glowingly about him. We feel fortunate to know him, and only hope to spend more time with him in the future. Pictures of Josh adorn multiple walls and doorways at our office and they are not coming down.”
EmPower Solar extends a hearty congratulations to Josh, and we wish him the best of luck as he heads off to Boston next fall. He left an indelible mark on the company and is an inspiration to us all. There is no doubt in my mind he will perform exceptionally well in all of his future pursuits. It’s a good thing for humanity that he is dedicated to a better, more sustainable world.
Solar Looks Bright on Long Island
Newsday’s recent editorial “Solar Looks Bright on Long Island” published on November 25th, is rightfully optimistic. Every day we grow more confident that solar will be the dominant energy source of the 21st century. Growth in the solar sector is booming because the technology works. Solar also benefits the environment and creates jobs.
Despite a down economy, the total installed capacity of solar power in the U.S. will double in 2011 over last year to over 2 gigawatts. That’s enough to power 400,000 homes or the equivalent of decommissioning five medium sized power plants. As of August, the U.S. solar industry is on track to increase jobs at a rate of 6.8%, compared to the projected 0.7% national jobs growth rate.
The root of our confidence stems from observing the performance of hundreds of systems EmPower has installed in the area through our robust online monitoring portal. Solar works, and it works well. Most of all we know it from our EmPowered clients who enjoy sharing their success stories. Now, in addition to powering homes and buildings, we also are charging electric vehicles.
Another cause for optimism is cost. When we started selling solar energy in 2004 the average gross cost of an average 10 kilowatt residential solar energy system was $85,000 before incentives. That year only a limited number of systems were sold. Today, the same system is approximately $45,000, so the cost has halved in about six years. With LIPA incentives, Federal and State Tax Credits, the net cost is approximately $16,000.
With utility incentives and federal and state tax credits, the average payback is around 5 years, with an 18% annual return on investment. Critically, the proliferation of financing options makes it possible to go solar for zero down, and start saving right away.
Strengthening the economy and improving the environment (public health) are not mutually exclusive objectives. Solar will achieve both, and help us kick our oil addiction habit.
It’s going to be the Solar Century.
Freeport Fire Department Announces Completion of 51.7 Kilowatt Solar System
On Monday (November 29, 2011) the Village of Freeport, NY and Freeport Electric held a press conference to announce the completion of a 51.7 kilowatt (kW) solar electric system, which was engineered and installed by EmPower Solar at the Freeport Fire Department Headquarters. The design includes168 SunPower 308 Watt modules, and a SatCon 50 kW inverter.
Street view of completed solar installation.
Freeport Mayor Andrew Hardwick said “There are many ways a municipality can go green and Freeport has instituted several steps to reduce its carbon footprint.” Along with the solar power system at the Firehouse, the Village of Freeport has purchased several hybrid cars, a hybrid bucket truck, and replaced 340 street lights with an energy efficient alternative. EmPower has also installed a number of solar residential and commercial systems in the Village of Freeport.
EmPower engineer Emily Hwang, served as the project engineer, and was recognized by Freeport Electric’s Superintendent, Anthony Fiore, for her high quality work and dedication. All the EmPower team members, including engineers and installers, deserve recognition for their seamless execution of this complicated project. Cameron Engineering was also instrumental to the structural engineering design.
First row of panels get installed on fire house rooftop.
In his remarks, EmPower CEO David G. Schieren said “The Village of Freeport and Freeport Electric should be commended for its vision and leadership in making this solar project a reality. Municipalities have a critical role to play in advancing renewable energy, and the importance of their leadership can’t be overstated.”
Freeport Village Officials, Freeport Electric Officials, and EmPower CEO, David Shieren pose for Group shot in front of firehouse.
EmPower is especially grateful to Freeport Electric’s Superintendent Anthony Fiore and Supervisor of Electric Service Les Endo Jr. for their impressive commitment to this project. Their support and technical understanding are making solar energy a reality in the Village.
Many large installations like this one are done on flat roofs and are not visible to the public. This installation is unique because it is on a pitched roof and directly across the street from the Freeport LIRR Train Station.
See the official press release here.
Vision Long Island’s 10th Anuual Smart Growth Summit
EmPower CEO, David Schieren, speaks on a panel at the Smart Growth Summit
EmPower Solar was excited to participate in Vision Long Island’s 10th Annual Smart Growth Summit on Friday November 18th, an event focused on promoting Smart Growth opportunities in the Long Island area.
“The issue’s we are dealing with today are similar to a man walking blindfolded toward the edge of a cliff”, says Senator Schumer during the event’s luncheon, “if we don’t stop and change our path soon, we will fall fast”. The Senator shares a similar concern with many of the stakeholders in the Long Island area. In tough economic times, many wonder about the most effective ways to revitalize their communities.
Vision Long Island is a not-for-profit organization working to build economically and environmentally sustainable communities through so called “Smart Growth” initiatives. EmPower Solar has supported and sponsored Vision Long Island for 3 years.
Smart growth means building urban, suburban and rural communities with housing and transportation choices near jobs, shops and schools. This approach supports local economies and protects the environment. Keynote speaker, John Norquist (former Mayor of Milwaukee, WI) spoke passionately about the importance of New Urbanism which focuses on the restoration of urban community. He says there is a demand for compact neighborhoods with mixed use buildings that are sustainable and convenient. If people can work where they live this will cut down on commuting expenses and improve quality of life.
A recurring theme throughout the event was the general idea of innovation, or establishing change in the community. Many believe that we must first understand the root of the problems we face today in order to generate real change.
EmPower CEO, David Schieren, spoke on the Energy & Smart Growth panel. This panel was moderated by Richie Kessel (former President of NYPA and Chairman of LIPA Board of Trustees). The discussion focused on introducing innovative alternative energy and energy efficiency solutions to communities.
EmPower Solar’s commitment to more innovative and sustainable means of energy is an important piece to this bigger picture. We share many of the same goals and philosophies as Vision Long Island and see solar energy as part of the solution to a better future in New York and around the world.
FREE presents award at 34th Annual Celebration of Life Gala
David G. Schieren, CEO of EmPower Solar, was honored to receive an award from FREE at the 34th Annual Celebration of life Gala held earlier this month. Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, a not-for-profit that provides community living for disabled people in Nassau and Suffolk counties, presented the award in recognition of David’s instrumental role in helping the organization implement the 800 kW solar project that is estimated to provide over $5.2 Million in savings over 25 years.
David was honored to share the award with the following co-honorees: Bob Catell – Chairman, Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at New York State University at Stony Brook. Kevin Law – President and Chief Executive Officer, Long Island Association. Michael Hervey – Chief Operating Officer, Long Island Power Authority. Yakov Shamesh – Vice President for Economic Development, Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Stony Brook University.
The FREE solar project, one of the largest investments in renewable energy on Long Island to date, converted 44 sites over to solar power, helping reduce annual utility expenses by 27 percent. The savings will allow FREE to focus its resources on increasing the quality of life for more than 3,000 people on Long Island through crucial “life services” and related social and educational programs.
“Reach high, achieve more. The Family Residences and Essential Enterprises credo resonates with EmPower. FREE is a remarkable and inspiring organization that provides vital services to our region. It demonstrates how organizations can play a key leadership role in cleaning the air and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, while making smart financial investments. They’ve inspired us to reach high and achieve more. Of course I accepted this award on behalf of my business partner and our COO Greg Sachs, and the entire EmPower team that took this project on with such gusto, determination and precision. Moving Forward”– David G. Schieren
