The Budd Lake Fire Department continues to go green. The firehouse was previously upgraded with energy efficient lighting, heating and air conditioning. The latest improvement is a solar electric system designed by GeoscapeSolar of Livingston to produce nearly all the department’s current and future electrical needs. The project includes 218 solar panels which will generate enough electricity to eliminate summer power bills at the building and the summer savings will help offset winter energy costs when solar power is less productive. Work on installing the panels began in February and the system is expected to go on-line by the end of the month. Past improvements have included replacing light fixtures with high efficiency fluorescents; the old oil burners were replaced with high efficiency gas boilers, reducing heat bills by more than 30 percent; and the 1970’s air conditioning system was replaced by energy saving models.
After months of research and considering quotes from other contractors, the department contracted with GeoscapeSolar to design, install and maintain the solar panel system.
Jeff Chaukin, president of GeoscapeSolar, said non-profit and public agencies often don’t start solar programs because they find it difficult to maneuver through the bureaucratic rules, such as competitive bidding and winning approval of various boards.
Chaukin said he has presented proposals to 15 various non-profits and governmental agencies and the Budd Lake Fire Department was the only one to finalize an agreement.
None of these projects would be possible if not for the generosity of our friends and neighbors we are working hard to make your donation dollars go further by improving efficiency and eliminating waste. When you pass by the firehouse and see our solar panels glistening in the sun you can smile knowing your donations are hard at work generating clean electric power.”