Town Garage - Solar & Geothermal
In the summer of 2012, the Town Council decided to participate in the Solarize Madison Project to install Solar Panels at the Highway Garage, located on Cranston Road. Details of the Garage Solar Project:
- October 2012 - contract with Arista Power Signed
- June 2013 - final installation began
- August 30, 2013 - the switch was thrown and the Garage started making its own energy, with a little help from the sun!
- Photovoltaic panels were installed through the Solarize Madison project (www.solarizemadison.com), and Hamilton took a step towards reducing the Town’s carbon footprint and saving money.
- Arista Power Inc. installed the 15.9kW system (total system capacity) on the roof of the garage.
- With savings through Solarize Madison and with a NYSERDA rebate, the net cost of the project was $39,375.
- #60 Panels - 265W SolarWorld Monocrystalline Panels were installed.
- The panels should produce 17,802 kWh per year and cover 96% of the garage’s total electricity usage.
- The system feeds electricity to the garage, with excess energy feeding back into the grid, offsetting the cost of electricity used by the garage. Estimated monthly savings are $302, and the system will pay itself back in 14.54 years.
- The equipment is guaranteed and has a lifespan of over 25 years.
- During that time it’s estimated the town will save $85,259, and move the Town of Hamilton towards a greener community.
In September 2017, the Town of Hamilton completed four High Impact Actions under NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities Program and became a CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY which made us eligible for a $50,000 grant. Due to delays in the town hall project, it was decided to invest the grant for a geothermal system for the Highway Garage.
- In July 2018, contract was signed for the grant.
- In summer 2019, Hamilton went through the RFP process. NP Environmental secured the bid and began work.
- December 2019 - Geothermal work completed and the new system was activated.