The Rochester Area has made big strides in green energy this year. The “Go Green with Michael Viggiani” event in June gathered the largest number of local businesses with green services and products to date, and just this week, local manufacturing giant Bausch + Lomb Inc. unveiled the massive new solar power array at its North Goodman Street manufacturing center.
Almost 3,700 photovoltaic panels have been installed in the vacant lot next on North Goodman Street as part of the second largest solar array in the Finger Lakes region and the fifth or sixth largest in the state. The company told Democrat and Chronicle that the power from the panels will account for about 30% of electricity used at the facility and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 800 tons.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority footed part of the bill for the $2.2 million project, though neither NYERSDA or Bausch + Lomb disclosed the amount.
But the investment should turn out to be more than worth it. The panels will cut Bausch + Lomb’s utility bill by $115,000 a year and make the company eligible for federal solar-energy tax credits.
“The solar array not only reduces our annual electricity cost, but will provide a positive sustainability influence within the city of Rochester and in the community where we live and work,” company vice president Amy Butler told the Democrat and Chronicle. “The most satisfying part of the project is demonstrating to industry and the Rochester community the environmental and financial benefits of investing in clean energy.”
Rochester also made strides earlier this year by holding an expo of 20 businesses offering local green products and services. The third annual “Go Green with Michael Viggiani” event was held on June 19 at La Luna in Rochester.
Members of the public attended for free and viewed sustainable local offerings like carpeting, roofing and energy. The event benefited nonprofit horse-riding therapy organization EquiCenter in their aim to build a sustainable barn for riders.
“Rochester’s business legacy is based on engineering and new philosophies and today’s Rochester companies are following suit, by focusing on sustainability and bringing new products to the market that are environmentally and energy friendly,” Viggiani, the entrepreneur the event is named for, said in a statement. “I strongly believe in sustainability, doing what’s right, and also sharing the information that there is an incredible cost-savings for using sustainable products and energy.”
From 2009 to 2014, the U.S. solar panel installation industry grew by an estimated 14% annually, and Rochester plans on taking advantage of the increasing need and desire for alternative energy.
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