H&V Collision Centers Installs Solar Panels for Greener Energy

9/26/2013 10:14:42 AM H&V Collision Centers, the largest independently owned collision repair facility in New York's Capital Region, is continuing its efforts to improve environmental efficiency by utilizing solar energy to help power its multiple locations. The collision repair company is working with Monolith Solar to install solar panels at H&V locations in Troy, Colonie, Queensbury and Saratoga. Monolith specializes in design, sales and services of solar systems for business and residential customers. The panels installed by Monolith will convert sunlight into kilowatts to power the four H&V locations. H&V joins a growing trend of organizations, including schools, businesses, community organizations and agricultural businesses, utilizing solar power to become more environmentally friendly and reduce energy costs. “H&V Collision Centers places a priority on being a good neighbor and increasing our environmental efficiency," said Vartan Jerian Jr., H&V vice president. "The switch to solar continues those efforts and will allow H&V to rely on more environmentally friendly energy sources. We take pride in providing a high level of customer service and satisfaction, and are excited that commitment to quality will be powered by cleaner and more efficient sources of energy." In 2010, H&V became the first shop in New York to be recognized by the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair for efforts in promoting environmental efficiency and safety. To be certified as CCAR GreenLink shops, organizations must demonstrate high standards in environmental, health and safety operations in four categories, including business operations, employee training, safety compliance and environmental management. The utilization of solar power by H&V Collision Centers follows a switch by H&V to less toxic paints and processes. The switch involved a transition from solvent-based paints to waterborne paints at H&V.

News10 in the Classroom: Looking to Solar for Savings

Posted: Sep 25, 2013 11:12 AM EDT

By Stephanie Grady - email

 

Many local school districts are dealing with tough financial times, but one district is working to cut costs by going green.

The South Colonie Central School District is hoping for sunny days ahead as it aims to become a lighthouse district for all of New York state.

"As a district we are looking at ways to control and reduce base budget costs the same way you try to control some of those costs at home," says South Colonie Superintendent John Buhner.

Buhner says the district is looking to specifically cut utility costs.  That's why he is looking to solar power for savings.  The district has submitted a proposal to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for a grant that would fund a total of 5,700 solar panels on 11 sites including school building rooftops and athletic fields.

"It would allow us to produce up to 1,700 kilowatts and save between $60,000 to $80,000 a year over a 20 year period," says Buhner.

If you do the math, the savings could climb to more than $1.5 million covering on average about 50 percent of the district's power needs.

Tim Carr is an account manager with Monolith Solar, the vendor working on South Colonie's power purchase agreement.

"We're able to install the system at absolutely no cost to the district or the district's tax payers," says Carr.

This means there is potential for more savings in the short and long term for the community as well as a chance to better use available funds for classroom needs and after school programs.

"I think it would make the state look good certainly make our community look good and maybe help us navigate some of the financial challenges we are looking at," says Buhner.

If the grant is approved, Buhner says he also wants to use this new green energy source as an educational tool for students installing monitors in every district building.

"When the kids and the public come in, they will see in real time how much power is being produced," explains Buhner. "They will also see the carbon offsets -- how many trees did this save, how many residential homes did we heat in this given day."

There is still a waiting process.  Buhner says NYSERDA should be getting back with an answer about the grant in the next few months.  If it is approved, the South Colonie Central School District hopes to begin the solar panel installation in the spring with the goal of having all 5,700 panels operational by next summer.

Monolith Solar Raffles a Golf Cart to help save the Southern Rensselaer Boys & Girls Club

 Golf Cart Raffle Video

The Southern Rensselaer Boys & Girls Club are having difficulty paying their electricity bills. This lack in funding has pushed them to the brink of shutdown. Monolith Solar is pushing to raise money to replace their dilapidated roof, in order to donate a solar electric system that would alleviate this budget strain and eliminate their electricity bill.

South Glens Falls considering solar energy for schools

SOUTH GLENS FALLS -- South Glens Falls school officials are exploring a project to install solar panels for generating electricity.

The district plans to apply for a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to make such a project possible, according to Superintendent Michael Patton.

“We’re looking to hopefully work with a local engineering firm that has some experience (with schools),” he said.

The first step is contracting with engineering firm CSArch to develop a request for proposals to obtain electrical power from photovoltaic energy sources under what is called a Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA for short.

District spokesman Monica Lester said the way a PPA works is a third-party provider installs the solar system and is responsible for the maintenance of all its components, as well as engineering and permitting work that is required.

This third party then sells the electricity produced by the system directly to the district, according to Lester.

South Glens Falls does not have to make any capital investment.

“The nice thing is there’s no cost to the school district,” Patton said.

Lester said the district does not have a timeline regarding the potential project.

The idea is for solar companies also to take advantage of grants from NYSERDA and other tax incentives, according to school officials.

NYSERDA has an open enrollment program that provides funding for both residential and nonresidential solar electric systems, according to spokeswoman Dayle Zatlin. The state sets aside about $4.8 million per month.

“It’s first come, first served, so the applications are put in and if we got to your incentive before the end of that $4.8 million, then you’re part of the program for that month,” she said. “Otherwise you’re put on a waiting list for the next month.”

The state has been providing about $1.30 per watt for the first 50 kilowatts (50,000 watts) and 90 cents a watt for anything above 50 kilowatts up to 200 kilowatts, according to Zaplin. The larger the system, the greater the amount.

“We’re assuming you’re going to get more kilowatt hours off a bigger system,” she said. “That’s our goal to get as many kilowatt hours as we can.”

The state has been providing around $9,800 for a typical 7 kilowatt residential system, according to Zaplin. This does not include any state and federal tax credits that may be available.

She said a residential system can offset a home electricity’s needs by as much as 70 percent to 80 percent depending on the size of the panels and the direction they are facing. South-facing panels are ideal.

At least 90 schools statewide have installed solar panels through the NYSERDA program, according to Zaplin.

The Cambridge Central School District is a bit further along with its solar power initiative. Superintendent Vincent Canini said at a recent meeting that Monolith Solar would be coming to the school to scout out locations for their solar panels.

Check out how Schodack School's Solar Initiative is saving them $$ while enhancing their school's energy curriculum.

Schools switch to solar to save money

Posted at: 09/04/2013 4:47 PM | Updated at: 09/04/2013 5:02 PM
By: Elaine Houston

Schools are listening.With school beginning, families are trying to purchase school supplies and clothing while living within their own budgets. They're also asking school districts to be more transparent about their budgets.

Walk into Maple Hill High School in Castleton and you can't help but notice the big flat screen on the wall in the entrance. But you won't be able to flip the channels and find your favorite program -- instead you'll get a lesson in solar energy.

Hourly students can monitor just how much electricity the district is producing and they can see how they're saving the planet.

Plus, the district is making solar energy part of its curriculum across the board.

Even the kindergarteners are learning about solar energy.

It all started last summer when the district decided to give solar energy a try.

“Schools were really being looked at to be more efficient, efficient, efficient,” explained Maple Hill High School Principal Bob Horan.

So they signed a 20-year agreement with Monolith Solar. They install and maintain the system free of charge, while the district cuts its energy costs.

“We don't own any of the equipment. A panel breaks, it's no cost to the district,” Horan said.

State and federal incentives offset the panel instillations and Monolith charges the district for power at a reduced rate.

“We saved somewhere between 12 to 15,000 dollars in year one without having all our systems running,” the principal said.

Other districts, like Brunswick, have taken to their roofs too. Last week crews laid footers for the solar panels, which will soon line the tops of their buildings.

“Not only is it cost friendly, it makes perfect sense,” Brunswick School Superintendent Dr. Angelina Bergin said. “We’re utilizing unused space to produce our own energy.”

Alex Lieb, CEO of New York Light Energy, is working with the Brunswick district and says school partnerships are a win for everyone.

“Partnering with the school districts on these projects has allowed us to meet the student’s objectives, to meet the school district's objectives of saving money and locally hire people and get them off the unemployment roles,” Lieb said.

OTHER SCHOOLS ON THE SOLAR BANDWAGON

These two districts are not the only ones giving solar a try. Others are looking into it as well.

Shenedehowa's High School East is using solar panels and a lobby display similar to the one at Maple Hill in Castelton. The information from that display can also be viewed online. They estimate the district is saving $10,000 a year.

The Cohoes School District received two grants for solar panels at the middle and high schools. They say they've saved $23,026 in the two years since the installation.

South Colonie is considering making the solar switch. If their proposal is approved, they say it could be the largest school solar installation in the state.