PORT CHESTER, NY – July 19, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today visited the headquarters of Mercury Solar Systems, one of the leading solar integrators on the East Coast, to promote state and federal investments in clean, renewable energy.
“One of the smartest investments we can make for the sake of our national security, economic competiveness, and environment is in clean and renewable sources of energy,” said Congresswoman Lowey. “Mercury Solar Systems’ rapid growth since it was founded in 2006 shows that it also happens to be an industry with enormous growth potential, capable of producing good jobs in our region and around the country.”
“Congresswoman Lowey has been one of our strongest local advocates and we believe she has played a critical role in the adoption of solar energy by New Yorkers,” said Jared Haines, President, Mercury Solar Systems. “With appreciate her ongoing support of an industry that has experienced tremendous momentum the past several years. We look forward to furthering the adoption of this renewable energy resource in the years to come.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included more than $3.3 billion for investments in clean energy technology. For example, the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit provides a 30% tax credit towards the purchase and installation of solar energy systems, including solar water heaters and electric systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell systems.
To help promising companies expand, Lowey sponsored the Small Business Job Creation and Access to Capital Act, which would increase federal loan guarantees from $2 million to $5 million, which is crucial in high cost-of-living areas like Westchester County.
“Helping small business gain access to reliable and low-interest loans will promote job growth and expansion, particularly in expensive areas like New York,” said Lowey.
Mercury Solar Systems recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to advance solar energy research. NREL will extract data for its own long-term research from Mercury Solar System’s solar test-bed, the first solar photovoltaic testing facility in the Northeast. The system is being constructed on the roof of Mercury Solar Systems’ corporate headquarters in Port Chester, and is expected to be operational by the end of the summer. A grant from The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will help finance the project.
The 106 kilowatt (kW) solar PV system will consist of several hundred panels from nine different manufacturers. It is expected to generate more than 90,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) each year or approximately 75% of the building’s annual electricity needs. The system will also incorporate a hybrid PV/solar hot water system.
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