Parking Garage Solar Panels Saving Taxpayer Money: Town

Three months after installing solar panels on the roof of the Hicksville Commuter Parking Garage, the town said the project is on track to save taxpayers money.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said in three months, the system has generated 908 kilowatt hours while only consuming 647 kilowatt hours. This equates to 984 pounds of carbon offset or the equivalent of 11 trees absorbing carbon dioxide.

Town officials said the goal was to reduce the its carbon footprint by 4,000 pounds annually.

“When I first took office, one of my top priorities was to transform the Town of Oyster Bay into a local leader in renewable energy initiatives. The use solar panels on the Hicksville Commuter Parking Garage will allow taxpayers to save money annually while properly lighting this facility with the latest technology on the market,” Saladino said. “From solar panels on the garage to the use of LED streetlights and same-day solar permits for homeowners, Oyster Bay is paving the way for a brighter, cleaner, and renewable future.”

The panels were installed last year when the town renovated the garage. Officials replaced lights connected to the electric grid with 20 rooftop Ilumient Smart Off-Grid lighting systems. Installing wirelessly-powered and remotely-managed lighting systems eliminated this requirement to replace the wiring, while not compromising on durability, reliability or aesthetics.