Long Island Solar Energy Industries Association (Task force of NYSEIA)
Empire Clean Energy Offices
1520 Ocean Avenue
Bohemia, NY 11716

For Immediate Release:
Contact: Paul Smith, 631.338.9586
Bohemia NY, May 8, 2008

The Long Island Solar Energy Industries Association (LISEIA) applauds Newsday for pointing out that the time has come for businesses, schools, hospitals and other government entities to share the benefits of net metering. On May 7th Newsday ran an editorial titled Energy Watch: Give Back the Grid. The editorial adeptly pointed out that residences in- LIPA territory, with solar arrays, are able to gain credit for the power that they overproduce during the day and use up those credits once the sun goes down in the evening. In many cases these customers can virtually “zero out” their LIPA bills. It is called net metering.

This principal makes even more sense for non-residential customers. Not only would it encourage non-residential customers to have solar arrays installed that would produce power during hot summer days (when LIPA needs the production the most) but it would allow them to “bank” power on days when the buildings might be closed. State legislators are currently debating the benefits of offering net metering to commercial and municipal applications.

“We are very hopeful that LIPA and the State Government will push through commercial metering this year”; says Sail Van Nostrand, Vice Chairman of LISEIA.

If we are truly serious about slowing global warming, and providing future generations with a healthy planet, isn’t it our duty to approve any measures that would encourage the use of clean renewable energy for businesses, schools, hospitals and other government entities -

LISEIA membership is open to anyone interested the Long Island Solar Industry. Please log on to www.LISEIA.org
for membership and meeting information. LISEIA is a Task Force of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association.

 

By Paul Smith

contemplates the installation of a solar electric system, the most common question
asked is: “Why should I do this?” That question is rapidly changing to: “Are there any good reasons not to do it?” Now more than ever, Long Islanders are motivated to end their reliance on electricity produced by fossil fuels by “going solar.”

Many of our customers at SunStream USA are most concerned with the overall
health of the planet. They are excited when they hear that a 10-kilowatt solar array will not only power their home, but it will also eliminate over 12,000 pounds of greenhouse emissions each year — the equivalent to planting one full acre of trees each year!

Last year, the Long Island Power Authority increased their funding of the LIPA Solar Pioneer Program by 30%. That money flowed directly toward enthusiastic Long Islanders who were ready to produce electricity via our planet’s most abundant source of renewable energy — the sun. In fact, the program is so popular that while the overall pool of available rebate money has increased, the actual amount available to individual customers has decreased.

The Solar Pioneer Program is LIPA’s well-executed effort that encourages customers
to make use of a rebate program that pays for 40-50% of the entire cost of a solar electric installation. In addition, there are state and federal tax credits that provide up to an additional $7,000 in savings for residential installations, and even higher amounts for businesses.
What else can you buy that actually pays for itself?

People who have solar arrays installed are paying for systems with money that they would have been paying to the Long Island Power Authority anyway. Most solar
panels are under warranty for 25 years and will continue to produce significant power for 40 to 50 years. It is clean, green and economical!
Imagine being able to tell a prospective buyer that their new home does not have a power bill! It is possible. Let’s face it: Power costs are not retreating. Residential and commercial solar power is a very viable way to “fix” power costs, or eliminate them all together.

From the building and design standpoint, there are a few simple ideas that many builders
and architects are incorporating into new construction. Solar arrays work on east and west-facing roofs, but they work best on south-facing roofs. Positioning a roof to be south-facing with a 35-degree pitch would be ideal. Planning to locate skylights and vents on north-facing roofs will help to provide a perfect, unobstructed space for a solar installation on the south-facing roof. Since shade can drastically reduce production,
it is best if a chimney (and its shade) can be incorporated in an area north of the prospective installation. It is also a good idea to discuss tree shading, weight loads and roofing material choices with the solar contractor during the planning stage. There are even ways to hide arrays on flat roofs by using racking systems that do not require penetrations into the roof surface.

Emotionally, environmentally and economically,
solar power makes sense. Can we afford not to do it?

Paul Smith is the Director of Sales & Marketing at SunStream USA. Paul is a founding member of the Hamptons Green Alliance and a board member of the Long Island Solar Energy Industries Association.

SunStream USA is owned by John Tortorella. John’s company uses more solar power than any other company in the region. SunStream USA sells and installs all forms of renewable energy.