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A Better Choice in Renewable Energy

Article Written By Mary Nicholas, Community Solar Organizer To find out more about GreenSpark and what makes us a better local option, get in touch. In an era of booming renewable industries and exponential growth for solar and wind, energy choices have become empowering and affordable options for individuals to substantially chip away at their carbon footprint. While Energy Service Companies (ESCO) had previously been viewed as one of the best options for customers, recent studies and investigations have brought to light the large-scale disenchantment with ESCOs, highlighting the questionable (at best) ethics involved in gaining customers as well as…

Affordability and Accessibility of Clean Energy

Article Written By Matt Vanderbrook, Senior Project Developer We've come a long way with the usability and cost of solar and wind energy according to a recent Greentech Media article. Thanks to federal tax credits, state-level renewable energy standards, and a drop in manufacturing and install costs, the cost of a wind or solar project install has dropped. The time between initial interest and completion of project has also decreased thanks to new technology and continuous developments in the solar and wind industry. Compared to a large gas or nuclear plant construction which has to go through years of planning and…

Van Schie Residence

Prepared for: Van Schie Family Location: Pittsford, NY Project Size: 7.2 roof mount Reduction in electric usage: 87% Average annual savings: $1500 Lifetime Savings: $37,400 Payback Period: 8 years The Van Schie's installed a 7.2kW roof mounted system at their home in Pittsford in December of 2015. The array is expected to cover nearly 90% of their electric usage, saving them about $1,500 annually. The system will pay for itself in under eight years and the Van Schie's will realize at least $40,000 in savings over the next 25 years.

Seneca Nation

Seneca Nation of Indians Solar

Choate Residence

Location: Rush, NY Project Size: 14.84kW ground mount Electric usage: 100% reduction Average Annual Savings: $3,000 Lifetime Savings: $75,000 On their one year anniversary, Al and Bethany Choate were pleased to share their successful solar numbers in year one. "Our first year of operation produced 18,264 kwh, compared to the 17,456 kwh estimated. Meanwhile, because of the mild weather and some conservation efforts, our usage was only 13,846, compared to a more usual 17,500. So that is a success!" Due to a mild winter, 2016 proved to be a great solar year, stories like Al's are a growing trend among…

Bielemeier Residential

RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM Prepared For: Drew Bielemeier Webster, NY Total project size is 14.84kW roof mount with four arrays. Two arrays on his barn that are 3.180kW (east and west facing), one that is 2.120kW (south facing), and one that is 6.360kW (south facing) Average Annual Savings: $3,000 Lifetime Savings: $75,000 Reduction in Electricity Usage: Nearly 90% Payback Period: 10 years This payback period is slightly higher than usual because Drew wanted to cover every surface to come as close to 100% coverage as possible. Due to the different directions of the panels, the amount of solar production will differ. South and East will always result…

Knataitis Residence

The Knataitis Residence Solar Array: Prepared for: David KnataitisTotal Project Size: 8.745kW roof mount on his garageKey HighlightsThis array is expected to cover over 100% of the Knataitis household's electric usageAnnual savings: about $1,500Lifetime Savings: over $37,000Payback Period: under nine yearsThis is a great example of how you can go solar on any roof space—this project utilizes garage roof space!GreenSpark is ready to work with you to find the best array location for your wallet and your preferences. Learn about your solar options today!

Messner Carpet

COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM Prepared for: Messner Carpets Pittsford, NY Total project size: 21.420kW total solar split into two arrays: 8.820kW and 12.6kW Expected to reduce electric use by 60% Average annual savings over $3425 Lifetime savings at least $85,650 Payback period 8 years Messner Carpet-Rugs-Flooring installed a 21.420kW solar array at their store in the Village of Pittsford over the summer. The project was put in front of the Village’s historical board and became the first solar project built in the Village of Pittsford’s Historic District. The company, located in the village’s former post office building, was added to the National Historic…

Bauch Residence

RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM Prepared for Tim Bauch Brockport, NY Total Project Size: 8.190kW Average Annual Savings over $1500 Lifetime Savings at least $38,000 Reduction in electric over 50% Payback Period: 10 years The project payback period is a little higher than some systems because Bauch decided to use micro-inverters which allow each panel to work on its own instead of being strung together with other panels. This means that if one panel is shaded, it doesn’t affect the performance of the others. Because his panels don’t all face the same direction and have different shading issues, it was a…

Jones Residence

RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM Prepared For: Dawn Jones Total project size is 5.3kW roof mount Average annual savings: over $1000 Lifetimes Savings: at least $25,500 Payback Period – 8 years

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