June 2, 2003—Shell Solar and PowerLight Corporation have dedicated the largest commercially owned photovoltaic (PV) systems in the U.S. The massive PV project was installed a direct mail and business communications companies, Fala Direct Marketing in Long Island, N.Y.
The expansive system of solar panels, large enough to generate enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes in 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.
With Fala’s reduction of the amount of fossil fuel-generated electricity over the next 25 years, Long Island will avoid over 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide, 30 tons of Nitrous Oxides (NOX) and 75 tons of Sulfur Dioxides (SOX). This is roughly equivalent to the planting of 5,700 acres of trees, removing 3,900 cars from Long Island’s roads, or not driving nearly 50 million miles. It will also avoid the burning of almost 45,000 barrels of oil to produce the electricity.
For more information, visit Shell Solar as well as PowerLight.
