Today Crosby’s, Reid Petroleum, and Montante Solar announced the installation of a 200 panel, 52 kilowatt ground mounted solar array system at its Crosby’s Lockport, New York location. This project marks the first instance of solar power usage by a Western New York convenience store.
“Throughout our history Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum have focused on doing things differently and adopting innovative approaches to everyday operations as a way to really distinguish our brand from the competition,” said Reid Group Chief Executive Officer Paul Reid. “This new solar array installation will allow us to save money and reduce energy consumption at our Lake Avenue location, while at the same time producing green, renewable power that reduces stress on the regional electric grid.”
The Crosby’s solar array field is organized into six groups, each consisting of two rows of portrait style panels. The system faces due south at a tilt of 20 degrees and is projected to yield roughly 55,500 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The array is tied to the local electric grid and will offset roughly 20 percent of the property’s total energy usage. This electricity generation is comparable to the annual energy-usage rate of roughly 6 homes.
“Crosby’s and Reid Petroleum strive to provide our customers with great service, quality products, and the convenience of a quick and easy shopping experience,” said Reid Group President Paul Quebral. “At the same time, we remain committed to reducing our environmental footprint in the many communities that we are fortunate enough to call home.”
The Crosbys, Reid Petroleum, and Montante Solar project was formally commissioned in October 2013 and received partial funding assistance through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
This project has been a great opportunity to showcase the market viability of our solar technology in a retail setting, particularly as it pertains to helping a local Western New York business lower their monthly electric bills, and contribute to the regions ongoing renewable energy movement, said Montante Solar President Daniel Montante.
Todays announcement cements a great partnership between two great companies that is not only good for business but for the environment, said U.S. Congressman Chris Collins. Paul Reid and Daniel Montante are dedicated business leaders committed to the future of Western New York, and the installation of this renewable energy system is a milestone achievement for both companies.
New York States economic future will be driven by responsible and innovative hometown businesses that are proactive in finding ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency, while at the same time offering great products and services to their customers, said New York State Senator and Senate Energy Committee Chairman George Maziarz. Im pleased to have one of those businesses right here in Niagara County and applaud Crosbys, Reid Petroleum, and Montante Solar on this excellent renewable energy project.
Having a great deal of experience in the private sector, I know first-hand of the many difficult investment decisions that small, medium, and large Western New York companies face on a daily basis, said New York State Assemblywoman and Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Member Jane Corwin. For this reason and various others I commend Reid Stores for operating their business in a forward-thinking, environmentally- conscious manner.
The Town of Lockport is excited to celebrate the green initiative by Crosbys today. We believe that preserving our environment is crucial to the future success of our community and nation, said Town of Lockport Supervisor Marc Smith.
Congratulations to Crosbys for making this commitment to clean, renewable energy, said Tom Barone, Acting Vice President of Operations and Energy Services, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). By participating in Governor Cuomos NY-Sun initiative to increase the use of solar power across the state, the company is demonstrating environmental stewardship while reducing its operating costs. Its a win for the State, the economy and the company.