Town of Arwkright Municipality Goes Green
ARKWRIGHT – The Town of Arkwright in its efforts to reduce energy costs has had a solar electrical system installed near the highway department barn.
“The Town of Arkwright has been aggressively seeking ways to save on its energy expenses,” said Councilman Larry Ball. “Last year we worked with National Grid to do a lighting upgrade in the town’s municipal building that reduced energy consumption by one-third. That, coupled with this solar project, will give the town a stable energy cost well into the future.”
Supervisor Frederic Norton added, “In these times of rising costs, any initiative that saves the town’s residents tax dollars is of significant importance.”
The new installation is a 16.38 kW ground mount system consisting of 78 solar panels. It is predicted that 100 percent of electrical usage will be covered. At current rates, that should save the town about $1,600 per year.
Buffalo based Solar Liberty did the installation. Adam K. Rizzo, its President and Chief Executive Officer said, “We have worked with multiple municipalities across New York state, and we’re always looking at ways to help our customers save money and reduce their carbon footprint.”
In addition to the annual cost savings, the system produces zero pollution and offsets the building’s carbon footprint by 277 tons of carbon dioxide – equivalent to 1,400 gallons of gas or planting 442 trees per year. Solar Liberty installs grid-tied photovoltaic solar energy systems for government, non-profit, education, commercial and residential customers. It has completed more than 700 residential and commercial solar installations since 2003.
In 2010 and 2011, Solar Liberty was named the largest solar electric installer by New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) and the Department of Energy. In 2012, Solar Liberty completed its largest installation, a 750 kW system consisting of 3,200 panels, on the North Campus of SUNY Buffalo. The company can be contacted at 866-807-3639 for more information. Its website is solarliberty.com.
Comments on this article may be directed to dchodan@observertoday.com
