After awarding a contract to SUNation Solar Systems for two village solar electricity projects at a Jan. 20 board of trustees meeting, Lake Success is one step closer to setting an example they say they want residents to follow.
The solar systems to be installed are a 49.72 kW system on the roof of the Community Building and a 17.02 kW system on the roof of the Department of Public Works Building.
The money to fund the project comes from two federally funded stimulus grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority – $372,725 for the Community Building and $127,255 for the DPW Building.
“We wanted to go green,” said Carol Pogrell, village administrator. “We have so many people in and out of this building we thought it was a good place to show people what can be done.”
Lake Success Mayor Ronald Cooper, who did not attend the Jan. 20 board of trustees meeting, stated previously the solar electric systems underscore the village’s commitment to using energy efficiently and in an environmentally-friendly manner and it might encourage residents to embrace the benefits of the technology.
“This will be an opportunity to encourage the village’s residents and those of the surrounding communities to explore renewable energy for their homes,” Cooper said.
The Community Building, located at the Lake Success golf course, is used for community events, its health club and dining facility and is the location of the village hall.
Cooper said “he hopes that the solar installations here will inspire other municipalities to embrace the technology to help reduce operating costs as well as providing the kind of renewable energy that will help our environment and in a small way help to reduce our dependence on oil as our basic source of energy.”
