LIPA, Piece Management Inc., and EmPower Solar Install 117kW of Solar Panels at New Hyde Park Facility

Largest commercial solar PV system installed under LIPA’s solar rebate programs will reduce Piece Management Inc. electric bills by 75%

(New Hyde Park, NY – June 28, 2010) – Armed with a commitment to energy efficiency, clean renewable energy, and environmental responsibility, Piece Management Inc. (PMI) has partnered with The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and EmPower Solar as the contractor to complete a 117kW solar panel installation on its New Hyde Park facility, which over the course of a year will help reduce CO2 emissions by over 92 tons. The solar installation was made possible through LIPA’s Solar Entrepreneur program and is the largest commercial system to be installed since the program’s inception. The new PV system will reduce PMI’s electric bill by 75% annually while continuing to reap significant environmental benefits which equal planting 2,200 trees or removing 17 cars from our local roads annually.

After extensive research and evaluation, PMI selected to contract with EmPower Solar, a solar solutions provider. Upon completion of the solar panel installation, Piece Management will be one of Long Island’s largest solar producers, with PMI’s millwork shop operating predominately with solar energy. PMI has also refitted its New Hyde Park location with T-5 lighting fixtures, which use 50% less energy, while providing 30% more light. EmPower helped PMI achieve an overall 75% utilization of renewable energy.

“Not long ago, “going green” was a movement we only read about,” said Michael R. Sumersille, President, Piece Management. “Thankfully, today, most of us have wised up and joined the cause, and in fact, Piece Management has spent the past year pursuing the road to green. Environmental responsibility is an ongoing and long-standing commitment for all and a cornerstone of Piece Management’s philosophy.”

“I am proud to partner with Piece Management Inc. and EmPower Solar on the largest commercial solar installation under our nationally recognized solar programs. Projects like this one demonstrate my commitment to Long Island and LIPA’s customers to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency, to reduce our carbon footprint, and to stimulate the local economy by creating new clean energy jobs,” said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law.

“Piece Management has set the “green bar” standard for other Long Island companies seeking to reduce overall energy bills, while taking advantage of the power of the sun,” added David Schieren, CEO of EmPower. “We’re confident that the demand for new solar energy installations will remain strong as more businesses and homeowners realize that solar power has become a more affordable means of controlling rising energy costs, while at the same time they’re doing something good for the US economy and the planet.”

The cost of the PV system was $734,000. LIPA, through its Solar Entrepreneur Program, provided a significant rebate of $237,563 which helped to reduce the out-of-pocket expense for the system. In addition, PMI may be able to further reduce the cost of the system via Federal and State tax incentives.

Since 2000, LIPA has rebated over $76 million through its Solar Pioneer and Solar Entrepreneur programs for the installation of PV systems on residential, commercial, and municipality rooftops. LIPA’s solar programs have assisted in transforming the solar market on Long Island, increasing the amount of solar contractors from 2 part-time individuals to over 60 companies and providing the financial incentives to install more than 3,000 solar systems making Long Island a national and state leader in solar installations.