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.

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.

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.

There are many reasons to add a solar energy system to your home. The reduction or elimination of your electric bill is certainly compelling. Of course, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and protecting the environment are extremely important as well. While each of these reasons drives thousands of people in our area to go solar each year, there is another equally important reason to go solar; it increases your home’s value.

In the past, this has been very difficult to quantify.  Real estate brokers and appraisers had little information to go on, and lenders were often skeptical about any increases in market value attributed to solar energy systems.

That has changed in a big way. There are several recent studies that illustrate the value that a solar energy system can add to your home. Two in particular, performed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and The National Bureau of Economic Research, have shown that homes with solar energy systems can command a 3 – 4% premium over homes without solar energy systems.  On a $400,000 house for example, that equals $12,000 – $16,000!  Not bad considering, that the average “net” cost of a 10 KW solar energy system after rebates and tax credits is around $17,000.

Now, the Appraisal Institute, the largest real estate appraisal organization in America has taken the next step. They have developed the “Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum” that appraisers can use to document and analyze a home’s energy efficient items, including solar energy systems. This is an extremely important development, because it allows appraisers to compile and analyze data needed to support adjustments for solar energy systems.

Soon, in areas with high utility rates (like Long Island); appraisers will be able to capitalize the documented monthly savings on utility bills into a specific value adjustment, much like the income from a rental unit.

What does all this mean to New Yorkers who have solar energy systems? It means that when you sell your home, you will get significantly more money for it than homes without solar energy systems. This is just one more reason to go 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.

Emily Hwang, one of EmPower’s Solar Engineers, has received National recognition by NABCEP  (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) by becoming certified in Solar PV installation.

Emily Hwang displays her NABCEP Certificate

EmPower is proud to boast that we have more NABCEP certified installers than any other solar contractor on Long Island.  Pictured below are EmPower’s 5 recipients of this prestigious certificate of achievement.

EmPower's NABCEP Certified Installers: David Hawkes, Greg Sachs (COO), Emily Hwang, David Schieren (CEO), and Mike Dunne

NABCEP is a nationally recognized credentialing body formed to set competency standards for professional practitioners in the fields of renewable and sustainable energy. Practitioners who choose to become certified must demonstrate their competence in the field and their commitment to upholding high standards of ethical and professional practice.

For More information on NABCEP please click here.

To meet Emily and some other members of our illustrious team click here.

EmPower Solar would like to congratulate Emily on this Milestone in her career and in maintaining the spirit of the EmPowering Way

County Executive Edward Mangano pays EmPower a visit and presents CEO, David Schieren and COO, Greg Sachs with the Business of the Month for June 2011

Click here to view the embedded video.

David Schieren in the new fully electric Chevy Volt

LIBN: Do you think today’s young people will be a sort of “Generation Green” who accept solar from the start?

David Schieren:  It’s part of your DNA. I was with an executive from the American Petroleum Institute. I said there’s one thing the oil industry should be worried about. I pointed to the mind. The mindset is shifting, especially with students. Sustainability is becoming part of the DNA. While we’re starting to make progress today, I think we’re going to see this as the renewable energy century. You have a mindset shift.

Click here to read the full interview.

EmPower has worked closely with Ashley and reLi on numerous projects focused on educating the public about the benefits of renewable energy and energy efficiency.  We wish her the best of luck in reaching her goals for this worthy cause.

If you would like to support Ashley Hunt-Martorano’s fundraising efforts you can visit her donation page  and make a tax-deductible donation.