Fire Stations Go Solar

Bellevue Fire District #9 in New York State has installed a 140-panel photovoltaic system. The 28 kilowatt system was funded mainly by a grant from a state government energy agency. Savings of $191,000 are expected over the life of the solar power system. The solar technology was installed by Solar Liberty which is located in Buffalo. President of Solar Liberty, Adam Rizzo said, “When public or nonprofit facilities use solar, they demonstrate to the community that upgrading a building with a solar energy system makes sense both financially and environmentally.” (Source: ECFwireblogspot.com) According to the company’s website, the Bellevue station has already saved $2,000 because of the solar panels.

The company has also installed solar panels at fire stations in Eggertsville and South Dayton. Solar Cal Finder reported that the Bellevue station’s energy is now not all coming from the New York electrical grid, and that New York City’s electricity comes primarily from burning methane which produces CO2, SO2, and NO2 which are all greenhouse gases.

Across the country in Sausalito, California -a town of about 7,000- the local fire station also has gone solar. The system there is 23 kilowatts and was engineered by Cupertino Electric, a Silicon Valley company. An official public works director for the city said, “Sausalito residents are excited to once again have a modern fire station that will positively impact the community, from the centrally located emergency services offered to the energy efficient example set by the station.” (Source: Marketwatch) Funding for the project came from the City of Sausalito. The small waterfront town is popular with tourists for its restaurants, picturesque scenery and boating.

Image Credit: Bellevue Fire District #9

Read more: Community, Community Service, Life, fire stations, solar

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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J.L. A.

8:33AM PST on Feb 10, 2012

Sounds like it could be replicated at fire stations in most parts of the country--every little bit adds up.

send a green star

Donna H.

10:49PM PDT on Sep 21, 2011

Great idea.

David N.

1:19PM PST on Jan 11, 2011

Thanks for the article. It's great to see. When a public or nonprofit facility does this, it sets the tone for the rest of the community or for other cities to follow. Our church was the first church in the area to go solar. It sets a good example!

KS G.

12:32AM PST on Nov 20, 2010

Thanks for the article.

Robert O.

1:23PM PDT on Nov 6, 2010

Good!

Julianna D.

11:42PM PDT on Oct 27, 2010

Nice!

Alice D.

3:27AM PDT on Oct 14, 2010

Thank you ~ will share