New York organic farm switches to solar power

December 23, 2010

A farm in Hoosick Falls, New York, will receive between 65% and 75% of its power from sunlight, in a $53,000 solar project.

The 7.74-kilowatt pole-mounted photovoltaic array at Berle Farm was designed and installed by Alteris Renewables.

The project was supported by a $19,500 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and $14,750 in funding from the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Energy for America program.

The 600-acre organic farm is expected to save nearly $2,000 a year in utility costs with the solar system.

NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray Jr. said: “Our incentive programs for renewable energy are helping small businesses like Berle Farm invest in expanding their operations instead of their utility bills.”

Incentives

NYSERDA has $144 million available to support solar energy projects in New York State, as authorized in March.

The agency has provided nearly $3 million in incentives for solar projects since 2005 in Rensselaer County, supporting more than 870kW of generating systems.

Mike Stangl, Alteris Regional Vice President, said the challenge was not getting incentive funds, but in spreading awareness about their availability.

He said: “Our team is committed to helping business owners, like Beatrice Berle, understand the incentives and grants that make solar power a cost-effective option so they can invest in their operations instead of their utility costs.”

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http://heuristicstudio.com/demo/cms/charlotte/new-york-organic-farm-switches-to-solar-power-brighterenergy-org New York organic farm switches to solar power – BrighterEnergy.org « Charlotte Insurance
[...] New York organic farm switches to solar powerBrighterEnergy.orgNYSERDA has $144 million available to support solar energy projects in New York State, as authorized in March. The agency has provided nearly $3 million in …New Option Allows Alteris Customers to Monitor Solar Energy System PerformanceGetSolar.com (blog) [...]
Wayne
Let’s see ??? $34,500 of Tax Payer money, and a $2000/year savings ?? If I understand that correctly, the pay off will come in a little over 17 years ?
http://solarpanelkitatharborfreight.ning.com/ Renewable Ray
These subsidies are no way to build a permanent sustainable industry. They have no more business in this industry thne they do in the oil industry.
Wendell
That much solar on a commercial rooftop in New Jersey would go for about $34,830 installed.