Local Company Sheds Light On Solar Energy Options

With rising energy costs and mounting environmental concerns, homeowners and businesses nationwide are looking skyward—turning to solar energy, the most renewable and inexhaustible source of power.

"Solar energy is more than just a Green technology," said Joseph Ruggieri of Sunrise Energy Concepts, Inc., a company that has just expanded with a Hampton Bays office.  "It is a great financial investment."

Ruggieri, a systems specialist and environmental professional, and his wife, Jennifer, work with Sunrise Energy to design, install and maintain solar electric and pool heating systems.  Their office, opened last summer, is located at 159 W.  Montauk Highway, next to the Hampton Bays Diner.

"We identify the needs of the customer for electric and for budget and we work to design a custom system that meets their needs," said Ruggieri who added that the cost of the systems has decreased in recent years as technology improved and demand increased.

Ruggieri became involved in the solar energy industry after he purchased a system in 2005 and saw that "the solar eliminated the electric bill." He later began working with Reggie Beliard, an electrical engineer and owner of Sunrise Energy Concepts, Inc., which also has offices in Islip and in Parkland, Florida. Sunrise Energy was established in 2001 when LIPA began their Solar Pioneer Program.

So, how does solar energy work? A photovoltaic system (PV), cells in the form of panels, are installed in a spot that has direct sunlight from morning until late afternoon.  A solar (PV) cell absorbs the sunlight. Then, the solar energy releases electrons, which flow through the system to produce electricity. No more oil delivery or traditional electric meter readings and hefty bills. (In some cases, the property's electric meter will actually run backwards.) In the past, some customers had to store the electric generated but these days the enhanced technology passes it into the grid.

Ruggieri is busy educating the public at community meetings and planning seminars to inform local residents about the rewards of using solar power. He recently made a presentation before the members of the Hampton Bays Beautification Association.

According to LIPA, there have been $40 million in rebates to customers who have installed solar energy systems during the past decade. Some state and federal rebates are also available. 

And no worries about the weather suspending service—in the case of a long-term string of cloudy days, LIPA supplements the energy if needed.  

To learn more about solar energy, contact Sunrise Energy Concepts at 631-887-5001 or go to www.sunrise-energy.com.