Farmingdale, NY, May 30, 2003. Fala Direct Marketing and the Long Island Power Authority recently dedicated one of the largest commercially owned photovoltaic (PV) systems in the U.S. The massive PV project, furnished by PowerLight Corporation of Northern California (using Shell Solar panels) was installed at Fala DM, a direct mail and business communications company, located in Farmingdale, Long Island.
The expansive system of solar panels, large enough to generate enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes during the daytime, will reduce the company's electricity costs and improve air quality for Long Island residents. There has been a coordinated statewide effort in New York to foster energy conservation and efficiency through the deployment of alternative energy technologies, such as solar electricity. The Long Island Power Authority's (LIPA) Clean Energy Initiative helps to lead New York's effort to be more energy efficient and independent of foreign petroleum supplies. LIPA owns the solar electric system on the Fala building.
The one-megawatt (MW) solar system was designed and installed by PowerLight Corporation, using Shell Solar panels. Fala's 1MW rooftop system consists of 13,464 Shell solar panels, configured by PowerLight, in an array surface that covers approximately 102,700 square feet on three buildings. The combined savings realized-- from the electricity generated by the PV system, better insulation and lower roof top maintenance costs-- is approximately $305,000 per year. Over the next 25 years, Fala could save as much as $12 million dollars in energy costs, when adjusted by 2.5 percent per year for inflation.
Laser Focus World