During the Spring of 2008, James Braun, a life member of the Eggertsville Hose Company, attended an energy seminar. He asked Fire Commissioner Joseph Walterich if solar electrical production could be used by the Fire District to reduce electrical costs and help the environment.

After extensive research, the Eggertsville Fire District did approve the Solar Project with SolarLiberty of Williamsville. 140 Photo Voltic (PV) modules have been installed on the roof, above the fire apparatus bays at the Eggertsville Hose Company at 1880 Eggert Road. The annual electric offset associated with this project is 21%. The warranted operating life of the PV modules is 25 years. The Solar system is designed to pay for itself within seven years. A grant was obtained from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). This grant reduced the cost of this project by almost 80%, and made the project feasible.

This Solar system will also generate significant environmental benefits. These come primarily from avoided power plant emissions. Over 25 years, this project will reduce Green House Gas emissions by 546 tons of CO2. This is equivalent to driving a mid-sized car about 1 million miles or planting 21,824 trees.


For additional information contact:
John Kwiatkowski
(716) 465-6136  

 

Photo by Tiger Schmittendorf