Briarcliff Manor Synagogue Goes Solar

What follows is a blog post by Briarcliff Manor resident and "The Green Living Guy," Seth Leitman. If you are interested in blogging on Patch, click here.

A relatively long time ago (I remember talking with members of my synagogue, in Briarcliff Manor, about going green and that solar was and has been (longer than I have been a member there) to go green and go solar. It was a nice thing to hear that the main event taking place is an AJC fully sponsored event.

So, tonight CSI and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) are celebrating the solar installation on the AJC Energy Independence Day.

Who Did the Project and How Was it Structured?

The solar arrays and the installation were done with Robison Oil (Robison) the energy company for CSI and Mercury Solar. 

Now, some at first could think these companies are going to profit; NO! Robison is far from profiting!

In fact, according to Dan Singer, President of CSI and of Robison Oil (Robison), the energy company that provides power to CSI "this project was facilitated by a donation from Robison" and was giving back to community Dan loves and honors without question.

The vendor of the panels was local company Mercury Solar Systems (Mercury) and Robison. As Singer explains, he "purchased the array from Mercury and is set to sell KW's to CSI at a price that will allow Robison to break even at best. At the end of the 10 year PPA (or sooner) Robison and Singer and Robison will donate the equipment to CSI solely for the synagogues future benefit."

What's A PPA?

A Power Puchase Agreement (PPA) is a contract for energy at a fixed price per KW for somewhat years out (how many this agreement was, I don't know. Most likely the price per Kw was really low. However, I don't know the exact numbers and am not going to estimate.)

More importantly, they turned the switch on the solar array, I think months ago and Robison "has yet to bill CSI for a single KW of use since the panels were installed. So CSI has saved energy before any kWh has been billed. 

In fact, when the Board of Trustees discussed the donation and PPA, Singer also as President of the Board of Trustees for CSI "physically removed myself from the discussion." Cool!

While there were other things we discussed, it basically shows one thing. Giving back to the community you love is never ever a bad thing. At all! Period. In fact, going green and providing solar power to CSI is all about giving back. This solar array doesn't just help any one person, it helps countless others for future generations to come.

Now CSI will not have to worry as much about the power bill. We will have to see how much the save because that is the most exciting part of going to solar power!!

More importantly, it will give an economic stimulus and a symbol to the Synagogue. Why? Because CSI just cut their energy bills, reduces pollutants from power plants to preserve our environment and puts some cash back into CSI's pocket. Hey, it's tough times man and everyone out there needs a boost.

Given these tough times, it was nice to see how the green project will help give a boost to what is need right now. We need a going green, good economy promoting and giving back. This can help every local economy, promote energy awareness and education for us and our children. As my green guru guide books Do It Yourself Home Energy Audits and Solar Power For Your Home goes into how saving energy and going green go hand in hand!!

That is really giving back! As I have known throughout my life is Tzedakah in Hebrew is about donating or giving back. It is one of the most fulfilling things you can do as a person and considered what's called aMitzvah in Hebrew. 

As the CSI website talks about donating or giving back:

Congregation Sons of Israel offers many opportunities for the mitzvah of Tzedakah. Among these are vehicles through which people in special need can be helped, programs serving educational, spiritual and social needs can be assured and through which social action can be generated in times of community need.

Well nobody can now question that AJC, Mercury and Robison are going to do some good old Tzedakah tonight. That is what will help make this economy work again. We need to give back not just to CSI but a symbol for the community. 

Hopefully now people will realize that it also symbolizes the Energy, Environmental and Economic solutions this World, Country, State, Town, Village, School District and all us deservedly needs right now!!

A McMansion will cost you alot of money on energy. Cut that and you live a more sustainable lifestyle economically and environmentally, too! Solar power being one great option is not bad at all. That's regardless of what anyone tells ya!