Solar Grants just awarded Sept. 2014:

City of Ogdensburg:
RER Energy was awarded funding through a NYSERDA PON 2956 Grant for the City of Ogdensburg, in St. Lawrence County for a 1.1 MW solar power array.

Some background:
The City started evaluating the feasibility of generating Green solar energy and engaged Larsen Engineers to help assess the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) potential with a grant from NYSERDA. The strategy is to provide long term energy savings by utilizing existing city owned property to build a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) farm.

City’s Goal – has been Achieved:
Per a quote from Ogdensburg’s City Manager, John Pinkerton, “The City of Ogdensburg is concerned about the cost of energy for its operations and has taken steps to develop solar power for stabilizing the cost and achieving savings in the future. Availability of NYS Solar program grants from NYSERDA, has enabled the City to seek a Power Purchase Agreement from Solar PV Developer to reduce the cost of power over the long term, with no capital investment by the CITY.”

Future Solar Array Location:
Champlain St
Ogdensburg, NY 13669

Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority:
groSolar was awarded funding through a NYSERDA PON 2956 Grant for the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA)  in St. Lawrence County for a 1.2 MW solar power array.

Some background:
Larsen Engineers assessed the OBPA’s electric bills and identified an appropriate site for a solar array.

Issue:
OBPA owns many facilities that consume a significant amount of energy. The cost of power continues to go up putting pressure on budgets for the Authority. This issue requires energy planning and finding a solution to control future cost for energy.

Solution:
OBPA made the decision to move forward and seek a large scale solar grant from NYSERDA and seek a Developer, offering a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), to apply for the grant with no upfront capital invested by OBPA. Larsen Engineers completed the feasibility study and helped in competitive procurement of Best Value Developer.

Per a quote from Wade A. Davis, OBPA Executive Director, “OBPA wanted to control the cost of future energy for its operations and pursue Green power alternatives. Availability of NYS Solar program grants from NYSERDA, enabled us to seek a Power Purchase Agreement from a Solar PV Developer (GRO SOLAR) to reduce the cost of power over the long term, with no capital investment by OBPA.”

Benefits:
By offsetting ~100% of OBPAs annual electric consumption, OBPA could attract new firms to its industrial parks on the notion that they are operated entirely by clean renewable solar energy. This value-add proposition could also encourage other local businesses and municipalities to pursue solar energy for their own use, serving as a key economic development driver in the North Country.
The project also serves as an example of dealing with Climate change and reduction of green house gas emissions.

Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP), AARA
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) 
Wastewater System Green Improvements – 4 Locations, Upstate NY

Larsen was successful in getting 90% funding for four communities, under the stimulus package energy conservation grants for sustainable green planning. A total of 294 applications were submitted for the Grant Program with only 54 awards being made.  Larsen assisted in securing grants for each of the 4 clients who applied with us. The extensive application included an engineering report, SEQR assessment, as well as projects to upgrade Wastewater Treatment Facilities to be more energy efficient and “Green”.

Larsen Engineers was responsible for the design and coordination of preparing contract bidding documents and plans on a very tight time schedule. Project features include; cogeneration, boilers, heat pumps, green roof, solar PV, rainwater collection, and miscellaneous energy efficient electrical upgrades. Larsen Engineers oversaw contracts for each municipality while maintaining proper records and meeting the reporting guidelines set forth by the EFC and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

For more information Click Here

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program – Solar PV Systems
NYSERDA RFP 10, AARA Assistance
Project Impementation Funding of Green Measures, 3 Locations, Upstate NY

Larsen Engineers prepared applications and was awarded grants for three (3) Municipalities for the implementation of energy conservation measures. Larsen designed the upgrades and was responsible for overseeing construction and implementation.