Archive: News

Lansing Councilman Bud Shattuck reported that he is meeting with Cornell Cooperative Extension officials about getting grant money to put solar panels on the Lansing Town Hall.  Shattuck says there is both stimulus money and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grant money available for the project.

"I'd like to be able to move forward with at least that part of it," Shattuck said at last month's Town Board meeting.  "If the bids are too costly and the return is not enough then I'd acquiesce, but I'd like to be able to move forward with it over the next couple of months prior to my leaving the Board."


In 2005 the Town received a $129,000 NYSERDA grant to put solar panels on the Lansing Highway Department barn.  Those panels were installed on a south facing roof.  The system is capable of producing 21.6 megawatts per year, and is paying for itself years before the original ten to fifteen years originally anticipated in large part because of rises in energy costs.

The system requires almost no maintenance, and automatically deals with emergencies such as blackouts, shutting itself down so it won't cause problems with the main power grid.  Because it is operated by a municipality the Town can not sell power back to the grid, so the system doesn't store electricity, but rather uses it as it is gathered.  On cloudy days, nights, and days when snow covers the panels the facility is powered by the electric company.

If the new project goes forward Shattuck hopes to reap the same savings on electricity in the Town Hall.  Town Supervisor Scott Pinney told Shattuck he supports the project and encouraged him to pursue it.

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