Electric Vehicles Invade the Long Beach Movie Theatre

Last night over 75 people came to the Long Beach Cinema to watch Revenge of the Electric Car (sequel to “Who Killed the Electric Car”).  The event was sponsored by EmPower Solar and The Green Project of Long Island in an effort to get the message out about the benefits and capabilities of electric vehicles. The community got a firsthand view of two Chevy Volts, a Tesla Roadster, a Plug-In Prius and a Nissan Leaf.

Before the screening, EmPower CEO David Schieren addressed the audience to introduce the EmPower team and describe our long-term goal of making renewable energy a major contributor to the energy supply. Following David’s presentation was a short video about using solar energy to charge EVs, filmed and directed by EmPower employee Keith Collins.

Following the screening, EmPower employees, clients, friends and family continued showcasing their electric vehicles. The public was able to sit in, snap pictures and discuss more about these specific EV models.

In related news, today Tesla Motors began deliveries of their first batch of Model S vehicles. The Model S is a full size, fully electric sedan that seats 5 adults and 2 children. One of EmPower’s clients from Long Beach, NY, who attended last night is a Model S reservation holder and is expecting his this winter.  According to EmPower Sales Representative, former client and current EV owner Ed Olsen, the Model S is a game changer. “This is a beautiful car with a 300 mile range. It goes from 0 to 60 in under 6 seconds and its price is accessible to more car buyers”.

“Electric vehicles use no gasoline and can be powered by the sun. This is a concept that is long overdue” says Ed.

EmPower is on the forefront of turning this concept into a reality. We would like to thank everyone who attended and made this event such a success.

For those who were not able to attend and would like more information about solar and/or electric vehicles, please feel free to call our office at 516-837-3459.

Click Here to see photos from the event on our Facebook page.

Click Here to watch the live Tesla Model S delivery event tonight (6/22) at 6:30 EST

The Results are In! 2011 Marks Tremendous Growth for the Solar Industry

2011 was an exciting year for solar in the U.S., achieving record growth and 1,855 MW of installed photovoltaic systems. This represents a 109% growth over 2010, doubling from  887 MW, according to a Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) report.

2011 industry growth brought the United States to a capacity of 4,460 MW of installed solar PV, enough to power nearly one million households.

It was also a major year for the commercial PV market which grew 27% and reached 800 MW of solar installations. A large amount of this growth is due to the Section 1603 Treasury grant program which expired on Dec. 31st 2011.

2011 also marked an increase in solar affordability.  It has been reported that the average cost of a completed PV system dropped by more than 35% since the beginning of 2010.

EmPower is excited about the growing demand of Solar PV on Long Island. In 2011 EmPower achieved over 2MW of solar installations.  Attractive rebates and incentives have driven the appetite for solar energy and allowed our customers to reduce their carbon footprint and save money in doing so. We are excited to continue EmPowering our customers through 2012 and look forward to seeing even more growth this year!

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.