2005

RELEASE: Immediate
CONTACT: Jean Donovan, (518) 862-1090, ext.3516 or jmd@nyserda.or

Local Farm Demonstrates New Solar Electric System for Agricultural Community

Albany, NY - April 28, 2005 - Michael Siegel and Barbara Caldwell are so proud of their new photovoltaic (PV) system that they wanted to share its benefits with other members of the Hudson Valley region's agricultural community. Today, they were able to do just that, as they displayed a new PV system installed at their 13½ acre farm, Farm & Granary_TM , located in Wawarsing, Ulster County. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provided an incentive of $16,800 toward the installation of the system.

Siegel and Caldwell were seeking ways to use the sun's power to assist them in their holistic farming operation. The couple wanted to do their part to reduce pollution and extend the growing season for their organic heirloom vegetables. They contacted NYSERDA to help them achieve their dream, and today that dream is a reality.

"Utilizing renewable energy sources, like solar, is extremely important for both our energy and environmental future," said Peter R. Smith, President of NYSERDA. "We as a State and nation need to lessen our dependence on foreign oil sources, and solar technology can play an important part in that. With the technology advances that are taking place in the solar industry, and the incentives we are able to offer homeowners, businesses, and farmers, the cost of systems are coming down. I encourage everyone who is concerned about energy costs to investigate the potential to invest in solar."

With financial assistance from NYSERDA and the technical expertise of Jeff Irish of Hudson Valley Clean Energy, Inc., a 30-panel photovoltaic system, with each panel capable of producing 140 watts of electricity, was constructed on the roof of the Farm & Granary barn. The DC (direct current) power produced by the solar panels is converted into AC (alternating current). The total AC power is 3.5 kilowatts (kW) and the total annual output is estimated to be 4,900 kilowatt hours (kWh).

The new PV system should reduce the amount of energy purchased for farm operations by 85%. Equally as important to Siegel and Caldwell is the fact that the system will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by more than 5,300 pounds annually.

Barbara Caldwell proudly claims, "We are making our organic farm a little "greener" by using solar power, and we would invite the local agricultural community to look at the benefits of solar energy for their own farms." And Michael Siegel states, "We are using the best of what is old - solar power, and combining it with the best of what is new - organic farming. We are very grateful to NYSERDA and Hudson Valley Clean Energy for their assistance."

Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. In contrast with electricity generated by fossil fuels, PV-generated electricity creates no air or water pollution, and usually reduces the amount of energy purchased from 40 to 70 %. NYSERDA offers cash incentives for the installation of PV systems by eligible installers. Through NYSERDA's New York Energy $mart^SM Loan Fund, interest rate reductions are provided on loans for energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy technologies.

NYSERDA, located on the web at www.nyserda.org, is a public benefit corporation established by law in 1975. It identifies and promotes solutions to New York State's energy challenges in ways that achieve energy efficiency while benefitting the state's economy and environment. It administers the New York Energy $mart^SM program that benefits ratepayers of the investor-owned electric companies across the State.

For further information about NYSERDA's solar programs visit www.PowerNaturally.org on the web.