Freeport Fire Department Goes Solar

Construction of a 50 kilowatt SunPower Photovoltaic system is underway at the Freeport Fire Department, located at 15 Broadway in Freeport, NY, just north of the LIRR station.  The EmPower Installation Team started phase 1 of the installation 2 weeks ago (see picture above) and should be completed by the end of October.   A typical residential installation takes 3-5 days to complete.  This installation is 5 times the size of a large residential PV system.  Furthermore, metal rafters (versus wood) and other complexities have added to the amount of time for this installation to be completed.

Freeport received funding  for the solar project from a competitive New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grant, which originated from a American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus program.

Since the Village of Freeport has its own municipal electric provider, Freeport Electric, and is not in LIPA territory, residents are not eligible for the $1.75/watt solar rebate from LIPA.

NY Solar gets boost with ARRA funding

On Monday, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the awardees of an ARRA funding opportunity (RFP 1613) for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean fleet projects.  These projects will help to make New York a leader in clean technology, foster the development of new jobs, and improve the environmental quality of NY communities.  The funding will help to launch the installation of commercial size solar installations throughout the state.  Numerous fantastic projects will be completed as a result of this funding.  On Long Island and in New York City alone, more than $3 million was awarded to install nearly ½ MW of solar.

For this opportunity, applicants were limited to municipal governments, public K-12 schools, public universities or colleges, public or private hospitals, and 501(c)(3) non-profits.  Recipients submitted for the funding in November 2009 by completing applications that included cost-benefit and environmental impact analyses of their proposed projects.  Funding was allocated to 7 different regions within the State, so applicants only competed against those within their regions.

Funding was exhausted for most regions, but $6.8 million remains for NYC and $1.6 million remains for Western New York.  Applications for this remaining funding are due April 7, 2010.

Congratulations to all the awardees!