Paterson at groundbreaking of Brentwood solar project

With shovels in their hands and a ceremonial pile of dirt before them, Gov. David A. Paterson and a host of local elected officials in Brentwood Thursday celebrated the groundbreaking of a $123-million solar project expected to bring Suffolk County $8.5 million in lease payments over 20 years and generate enough power to meet the needs of 1,850 homes.

The project will erect some 60,000 solar panels over at least five county-owned parking lots, from the Brentwood Long Island Rail Road station to the Riverhead County Complex.

"Welcome to Solar County," County Executive Steve Levy said at a ceremony in a heated tent yesterday morning in the Brentwood train station parking lot.

Paterson called the installation "a milestone" in the state's efforts to create renewable energy and green jobs.

"It's going to yield great results for not only this region but the economy of this state," he said. The 17 megawatt project is expected to be completed late next year.

It will reduce the county's carbon emissions by 14,300 metric tons per year, according to the contractor on the project, enXco Solar Development.

In addition to the lease payments, the project will generate property tax revenue and will create between 150 and 200 construction jobs, officials said. The solar panels will be mounted on carports that provide shelter to cars - an added benefit to commuters who would normally find snow-encrusted vehicles at the end of the day, LIRR spokesman Joe Calderone said.

Because solar panels generate more power during the high-demand afternoon hours, the project will help the Long Island Power Authority reduce its use of its least efficient diesel generators, LIPA chief Michael Hervey said. The panels will be installed in parking lots at the Brentwood railroad station, the Cohalan court complex, the North County Complex, the H. Lee Dennison building and the Riverhead County Complex.

Two other potential sites are the Deer Park and Ronkonkoma LIRR stations.