‘Hudson Valley Shines’ brightens prospects for alternate electricity options

NEW PALTZ — It may surprise many New Yorkers to learn that enough sunshine falls on New York state in one day to supply all the state’s energy needs for an entire year!

To help businesses and homeowners “warm up” to solar technology advances and their advantages, the State University of New York at New Paltz is hosting seminars on Jan. 17 and 19. The Jan. 17 seminar is designed for architects, engineers, building owners, developers and energy managers, and the Jan. 19 seminar is designed for homeowners.

The seminars will include presentations by experts on the state’s financial incentives, which can cut the capital cost of solar systems in half, and the various solar photovoltaic systems available on the market today.

“New York state offers one of the best packages of financial incentives in the country for businesses and homeowners choosing solar,” said Linda Anne Burtis, director of NY Shines, an independent, nonprofit, public educational program conducted by Pace University School of Law Energy Project. “With today’s systems, homeowners will see their electric meters spinning backwards because the utility is buying power from them!”

Topics for the “Buildings Go Solar!” seminar for architects, engineers, building owners, developers and energy mangers include a review of New York state incentives that can pay for up to 70 percent of the costs of a solar electric system, a look at various solar energy technologies for buildings, solar system economics, and a close look at several projects, including a bird’s eye view of the largest commercial photovoltaic system on the East Coast. “Buildings Go Solar!” runs from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Jan. 17 at Lecture Center 100 at SUNY New Paltz.

Topics for the “Homes Go Solar!” seminar for homeowners include a solar homeowner’s personal story, ways to save up to 50 percent on the purchase price of a solar system, the environmental benefits of solar power, and steps homeowners can take to “spin their electric meters backwards” by selling excess solar power back to the utility. “Homes Go Solar” runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 19 at Lecture Center 100 at SUNY New Paltz.

Sponsors for the seminars include the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, NY Shines, SUNY New Paltz Department of Geology, PowerLight Corp., Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, NYPIRG and Scenic Hudson.

Both of the seminars are free, however, those interested are encouraged to register in advance to reserve seating and seminar materials. For “Buildings Go Solar!” the seminar for architects, engineers, building owners, developers and energy managers, contact David Eisenbud at (908) 832-7903, or by e-mail at deisenbud@powerlight.com. For “Homes Go Solar!” the seminar for homeowners, contact Linda Anne Burtis at 800-535-5267 or by e-mail at nyshines@skybiz.com. Registration forms for both seminars are available online at www.nyshines.org/announce4.html. More information about NY Shines and solar power is available online at www.nyshines.org.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Linda Anne Burtis of NY Shines! and David Eisenbud of PowerLight Corp. are available for interviews for advance stories. Their contact information is in the last paragraph of the release.