Professors Harry Dathatri and Serdar Elgun, of SUNY Farmingdale's Solar Energy Center, addressed the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon meeting held at the Weeping Willow restaurant on Nov. 1. Their presentation described the advantages and efficiencies of using solar power as an alternative energy source on Long Island.

Dathatri began by noting that early uses of solar energy were designed to provide heat, or thermal units. Current technology is also capable of generating electricity derived from the sun. Long Island residents and businesses can take advantage of the local climate's ample sunshine during long, hot summers and sunny winters, and also offset Long Island's historically high electric rates with cost savings attributable to the use of solar power. Dathatri explained that Long Island residents and businesses can convert solar energy into electricity by using photovoltaic (PV) systems, which are generally comprised of solar electric panels strategically placed in sunny locations, an inverter which converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC), and other related equipment. He cited several examples of PV systems, including two 20 KW SUNY Farmingdale systems and several others in upstate New York. By placing reasonable-sized "PV trees" in a front or back yard, homeowners can generate "homegrown" electricity using the sun. These PV systems, depending on specific factors, can be designed to provide most or all of a home's electric needs, powering lights, appliances and even central air conditioning.

Elgun explained the various incentives, costs and savings opportunities available to Long Island customers electing to use solar energy and install a PV system. He explained the concept of "net metering," whereby LIPA runs a customer's PV system through the customer's LIPA power supply. To the extent the solar energy isn't sufficient to power the customer's electric needs, LIPA's power supply supplements the PV system. To the extent the customer generates excess PV capacity, LIPA is able to use the excess capacity for other customers, and gives the owner of the PV system a usage credit.

In addition to the LIPA credit, Elgun stated that New York State taxpayers are entitled to a state income tax credit of 25 percent of the allowable costs of installing a solar PV system, up to a maximum of $3,750. Finally, Elgun explained that LIPA also provides a rebate to customers a portion of the cost of installing a PV system, and will finance the balance of the cost to the customer at favorable interest rates, currently 6 percent, so that the customer need not face any initial out-of-pocket installation costs. He stated that PV systems are modular, and can vary in size and be expanded after the initial installation, if needed. A 2KW PV system can generate approximately 3,300 KW hours per year, costs about $18,000 to $20,000 to install, and generally last 20 years or more. Solar panels are also available as roofing materials, which may be particularly appealing to energy consumers contemplating building a new roof.

Most energy consumers are aware that solar power offers an environmentally-friendly, or "green" energy source. The Solar Energy Center estimates that one 2KW system installed in New York State will eliminate, on average, 66,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 450 pounds of sulfur dioxide that contribute to acid rain, and 170 pounds of nitrogen oxides that contribute to smog. Accordingly, solar power can improve air quality and, therefore, public health.

The SUNY Farmingdale PV systems can generate a total of 20 KW per year. The Solar Energy Center offers seminars and three-day workshops on using solar power and installing PV systems. Additional information is available at the school's website - http://www.farmingdale.edu under Centers/Institutes.