Senator Fuschillo & Town of Hempstead Unveil New Solar Projects at Town Facilities

Projects Funded Through State Grant Secured by Senator Fuschillo

     Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo (speaking) and Town of Hempstead officials discuss how the new solar systems will be benefit both the environment and taxpayers. 

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today joined with Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilmembers Angie Cullin and Gary Hudes, and Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin in unveiling new solar projects at Town facilities in Seaford, Bellmore, and Merrick. Senator Fuschillo secured $250,000 in state funding for the projects. 

     “Using solar energy benefits both the environment and residents.  This technology allows the Town to use a clean, renewable energy source to generate power while lowering its utility costs and saving taxpayer dollars.  I am pleased to have secured state funding for these projects, and help the Town of Hempstead continue its investment in clean energy,” said Senator Fuschillo. 

     “We’re ‘adding’ so many new solar projects to the town’s renewable energy inventory, it’s getting difficult to ‘calculate’ the extent of our positive impact on the environment,” stated Supervisor Murray. “Projects like those which we are unveiling today are reducing our carbon footprint on the planet and conserving natural resources.  What’s more, they are saving taxpayers’ money by reducing energy costs.  I want to thank Senator Charles Fuschillo for securing the grant funding to make these planet-friendly initiatives possible.”

     The new solar power projects include:

• A “solar tracker” system at Seamans Neck Park which include three units that pivot and follow the sun’s path to maximize energy efficiency. The 11-kilowatt system provides energy to offices and a garage. The pivoting or “tracking” feature results in a 40% gain in energy output over traditional solar panels, making this 11-kilowatt system comparable in output to a 15-kilowatt stationary mounted solar panel system.
• An 11-kilowatt canopy of bi-facial solar panels at Newbridge Road Park which actually allows sun to filter through the canopy, and the undersides of the panels actually absorb reflected light in addition to the photovoltaic cells which face the sky.
• Conventional stationary mounted photovoltaic solar panels at the Merrick Senior Center which furnish 11-kilowatts of energy.

     The solar technology allows the Town to power several buildings at the parks, lowering energy costs and saving taxpayer dollars.  The Town will also be using a portion of the state funding secured by Senator Fuschillo to light parking fields using solar energy, a project which will be undertaken in the near future.