Letter: Solar project won't pay off
Solar panels on the roof of a Long Island home Credit: Michael E. Ach
According to Newsday, East Hampton director of housing Tom Ruhle told the town board that the town will save $2,000 a year on its electric bills as a result of solar panels installed on a building in Amagansett ["Roof clouds solar panel plan," News, Jan. 5].
This installation cost $117,000. The money came from a federal "shovel ready" grant of $207,000. At the rate of $2,000 a year, it will take more than 58 years to recoup the cost of installation. What if maintenance exceeds $2,000 a year? What if the life expectancy of the solar panels is less than 50 years? Total lunacy!
Robert Schoeneman, East Setauket
