Lancaster-based manufacturer Sealing Devices Inc., Buffalo-based solar installer Montante Solar and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced that construction is underway on a large, rooftop solar energy system at Sealing Devices.
The 250 kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system is part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, a public-private partnership to drive growth of the solar industry and make solar technology more affordable for all New Yorkers.
The announcement was made at today’s project launch held at Sealing Devices’ 120,000-square- foot corporate headquarters and manufacturing location at 4400 Walden Ave., Lancaster. The solar array being installed at that building is projected to offset 25 percent — 275,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) — of the company’s electricity use from the grid each year, avoid 200 tons of carbon dioxide yearly, and save $25,000 annually in electricity costs.
The Sealing Devices headquarters is located in a New York State Electric and Gas Corp. (NYSEG) strategic zone, so the system will not only provide clean energy but will help take stress off of the grid at a critical location.
Installation is expected to be completed in September, and projected payback for Sealing Devices is less than five years when taking into account state and federal tax credits, funding from NYSERDA, accelerated depreciation and the credit received from the utility to offset its load during peak hours.
Sealing Devices is a major employer in Western New York with 161 employees, 137 of them at four sites in Lancaster. It has additional facilities in Liverpool and Henrietta, N.Y. and in Erie, Pa.
Terry Galanis Jr., president of Sealing Devices, was an early adopter of solar power for commercial use in Western New York. In 2011, Montante Solar installed Sealing Devices’ first 50 kW solar array. Previously, Sealing Devices had also been a long-time supporter of green energy as one of the first companies to purchase wind energy from the grid.
“Sealing Devices is proud to be in the vanguard of renewable energy efforts in Western New York,” said Galanis. “Our new solar array addition will help expand our green agenda while contributing energy back into the grid, especially at peak usage times. The installation will also help us in reducing power costs, while taking responsibility for some of our internal power generation needs. The addition of solar to our building is good for the environment, it’s good for the community and it provides savings for our business.”
This project is funded under NYSERDA’s NY-Sun Competitive PV Program, which was established to assist businesses and other facilities in generating large amounts of electricity from solar power, a clean, renewable energy source. The program provides incentives for PV systems larger than 200 kilowatts. The Sealing Devices project was part of a $46 million pool of awards for 76 large-scale projects announced by Governor Cuomo earlier this year. Funding per project is capped at $3 million, and all projects require co-funding to best leverage state resources.
“Congratulations to Sealing Devices for again demonstrating its commitment to using renewable energy,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA. “As a large consumer of electricity, its participation in Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative helps the State significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases while taking pressure off the electric grid. This project will also help the company reduce its electricity costs and contribute to economic growth Western New York.”
“Western New York’s economic future will be born from small businesses that are able to innovate and adapt in a constantly changing marketplace. Today’s project announcement underscores that Sealing Devices Inc. is already ahead of the curve,” said New York State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan. “Sealing Devices Inc., Montante Solar and NYSERDA all deserve recognition for their commitment to growing the Western New York economy and their commitment to a sustainable New York State.”
“With the installation of this solar energy system, Sealing Devices is taking advantage of the latest technology to assist in growing its business,” said Deputy County Executive Richard Tobe. “This clean, renewable energy is good for the environment and for business, and thanks to governor Cuomo and the NY-Sun initiative, more businesses will be able to harness the sun’s energy to power their own business ventures.”
Sealing Devices partnered with Montante Solar, a Buffalo-based installer and developer of solar projects that employs 16. The project is comprised of 1,000 PV modules and a ground-level inverter.
Daniel Montante, president of Montante Solar stated, “We are both excited and gratified to demonstrate the strong market viability of solar technology, particularly as it pertains to improving the competitiveness of manufacturing not only here in Western New York, but the entire United States.”