Solar for Synagogues: Temple Israel of Northern Westchester Receives $0 Electric Bills!
Temple Israel of Northern Westchester, located in Croton on Hudson, NY has installed 188 solar panels on its roof, which now generates 100% of its power needs.
Sunrise Solar Solutions designed and installed a solar energy system for Temple Israel that will generate 70,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Sunrise Solar president and CEO Doug Hertz estimates that the synagogue is projected to save $317,000 over 25 years, thanks to its new solar energy system.
“Our decision to switch to solar energy is not only the right, green thing to do and good for the environment and our community, there’s also a positive financial impact,” says Temple Israel of Northern Westchester Board President Glen Wolland. “Our solar array not only generates 100 percent of our power, we’re now banking power in the summer months as well.”
When the Board started their discussion about solar energy for the synagogue a few years ago one of their motivations was to lower the facility’s high utility bill, as well as leverage Temple Israel’s flat roof and an open, sunny property, explained Mr. Wolland. When the Solarize Westchester Program was announced in Croton on Hudson in February, 2015, the Board re- opened their initial discussion and began working towards selecting a solar installation company.
He added that he had already had a successful experience with Sunrise Solar Solutions as they had designed and installed a solar energy system on his own home three years ago. Following an open bid process and a thorough vetting, the entire Board of Trustees unanimously selected Sunrise Solar Solutions, located in Briarcliff Manor, NY, based on their proposal to the Temple, which was substantiated by Solarize Westchester’s preference for the company, and Sunrise Solar Solution’s strong local presence and excellent reputation.
Solarize Westchester, a community outreach program that uses a discounted pricing structure, town-supported education and outreach to offer quality, affordable solar electric systems to property owners had chosen Sunrise as the installer best suited to serve homes and businesses through the Solarize program’s competitive bidding process. This process required that all solar contractors be thoroughly vetted by the state and local agencies, have a stellar reputation, a commitment to the community and prove that they are dedicated to best practices.
Another key factor in favor of Sunrise, says Mr. Wolland, was that Sunrise’s proposal to the Temple Israel board featured “minimal cash outlay” and the financial package that they created for Temple Israel worked within their budget.
“Sunrise is great to work with,” says Glen Wolland. “They were flexible, reliable, local, answered all of our questions, and they created a financial package that worked extremely well for us.”
Temple Israel now has a nominal electric bill and is saving money. Located in Croton on Hudson, NY, Temple Israel’s 28-member board and congregation of almost 350 member families from Northern Westchester towns including Croton on Hudson, Briarcliff Manor, Cortlandt Manor, Millwood, Ossining, Peekskill, Pleasantville and Yorktown Heights could not be happier with their solar energy system.
