NEWS
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New York Power Authority Installs Solar Energy System at Brooklyn Children's Museum Contact: September 18, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BROOKLYN—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) system at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. The PV system will be located in the museum’s Plaza courtyard and will educate visitors on solar power and produce a portion of the electricity used by the building. When exposed to sunlight, the system will generate up to 27 kilowatts (kw) of power—enough to support the needs of about 20 households—and 23,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually, preventing the emissions of over 14.5 tons of carbon dioxide. “Education and energy go hand-in-hand today, so we are very thrilled to be working with the Brooklyn Children’s Museum,” said Gil C. Quiniones, acting chief operating officer, NYPA. “Educational efforts such as this one are critical to increasing awareness about the benefits of clean solar power and in advancing Governor Paterson’s strategy to expand the use of renewable energy in New York State.” The PV system exhibit is part of an extensive renovation at the museum. Featuring all new exhibits and programs, the museum will have its Grand Opening on Sept. 20. The PV exhibit cost about $315,000, with roughly half the funding coming from the New York State Energy Research Development Authority. Most of the polycrystalline solar panels in the PV system exhibit will be mounted on two of the large Plaza walls, with the remaining panels affixed on two museum roof areas. A computer screen will be located near the exhibit to display information gathered from the panels and show visitors exactly how much electricity is being produced at any given time. Currently, nine PV systems, totaling 433 kw, have been installed by NYPA in New York City since 1993, some of which the operation has been turned over to the site’s facility managers. About NYPA: ■ NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy-efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation initiatives. ■ It is the nation’s largest state-owned electric utility, with 18 generating facilities in various parts of the state and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. |
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