Amherst considers hooking up to solar system
Williamsville-based company proposes installing energy-saving equipment
The Town of Amherst is hoping to save some greenbacks by going greener.
On Monday, the Town Board discussed the possibility of installing solar energy systems on some of its town buildings.
Though the initial installation and equipment purchase would be expensive, representatives of the Williamsville- based company Solar Liberty said the town would qualify for company installation discounts and state grants that would enable the town to recoup its costs within five to eight years.
Nathan Rizzo, project manager with Solar Liberty, said the New York State Energy Research Development Authority would give the town rebates covering 50 percent to 75 percent of its costs for a system of up to 50 kilowatts.
Solar Liberty, the only major commercial installer of solar energy systems in the Buffalo region, does business in North America and Europe and handled municipal projects in Orchard Park and Brant involving their town highway garages, Rizzo said.
Last month, the Clarence Town Board also approved having the company install a solar system for its Town Hall, pending the approval of state grants, said Supervisor Scott Bylewski.
Rizzo pointed to the benefits of a solar system, noting that they are silent, emissions-free and easy to care for. Rain or a water hose is sufficient to keep solar panels clean, he said.
“They’re extremely low maintenance,” he said.
Solar power systems have also become considerably more efficient as technology has improved over the past few decades, he said.
Supervisor Satish Mohan and some board members said at Monday’s work session that an investment in solar energy seems worth pursuing.
“I think we should seriously consider this,” said Mohan, who saw the solar system installed in Brant several months ago.
Council Members Daniel Ward and Mark Manna agreed.
“We should be on top of the wave, not following it,” said Ward, a longtime proponent of green technology.
Mohan stated that while a solar system has merit, it probably wouldn’t be worthwhile for the Amherst Municipal Building since the town hall uses far more than 50 kilowatts of energy. He and others seemed to suggest that the town’s highway garages might be a better fit for such a system.
Rizzo, however, noted that their company has installed solar systems in many buildings where the solar system is responsible for producing a percentage of the overall building’s needs.
He also stated that if the town prefers not to pay any up-front costs, Solar Liberty could enter into a long-term power purchase agreement with the town. In such an agreement, the company would own the solar systems installed on town buildings and simply sell the town the electricity the system generates at a reduced rate.
