CORNWALL, NY-–Black Rock Forest, a nature preserve, scientific research station and education center in the Hudson Highlands, takes its mission to promote sustainability seriously, as evidenced by its “green” facilities featuring geothermal heating and cooling systems and array of 80 electricity-generating solar panels.
According to Blackrock’s operations manager Jack Caldwell, in 2003 the nonprofit purchased 90,000 kilowatts of electricity. Last year, with their solar panels in place, they purchased roughly half that amount – just 46,000 kilowatts. But while Black Rock began producing its own electricity three years ago, it wasn’t until the state’s new net metering law was passed that they began reaping the full benefit of their investment in solar. Now, executive director Bill Schuster estimates they will save $4,000 this year in electric costs alone.
Net metering allows electric customers with wind or solar systems to connect them to their local utility’s electric grid. When the customer-owned systems produce more energy than they use, their meters spin backward, providing customers with energy credits that further reduce their electricity costs.
To highlight renewable energy success stories like this in the Empire State, the Network for New Energy Choices (NNEC) recently launched Solar Power is Right Here! – a video blog documenting how New Yorkers are generating clean, renewable energy from the sun. A video highlighting Blackrock’s system is the latest feature in this series. Earlier installments showcase the formerly derelict “Monti” building in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, which was renovated with a 40 kilowatt solar system on its roof, and the Museum of Jewish Heritage on Manhattan’s Harbor Front, powered by 36 kilowatts of solar energy.
NNEC issues the annual Freeing the Grid report, which rates all 50 states on their policies for net metering. In 2008, New York’s polices were singled out for vastly expanding the ability of New Yorkers to net meter.
The Network for New Energy Choices
www.newenergychoices.org
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