J. Tortorella Group & SunStream USA Partner with Long Island Power Authority to Energize Largest Solar Electric System on the East End of Long Island

Leading Solar Integrator Installs Biggest PV Array of Any L.I. Renewable Energy Co.

J. Tortorella Group reduces electric bills by “walking the talk;” creates enough green power to light Montauk Lighthouse for 100 years

Southampton, N.Y., September 23, 2010 – Led by avid environmentalist, John Tortorella, and a corporate commitment to conservation by utilizing the sun’s abundant rays to power its operations, cut carbon emissions, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and fuel Long Island’s green economy, J. Tortorella Group (JTG) announced today that it is on its way to deploying over 150kW of solar power to help 150+employees serve clients and remain productive in three environmentally friendly offices across the East End of Long Island. That’s one kilowatt of clean, green renewable energy to be produced by J. Tortorella Group for every individual employed at the company.

SunStreamUSA, the carbon-neutral sister company of J. Tortorella Group, today activated the latest section of a 40kW solar array that spans the company’s Southampton headquarters roof at 1764 County Rd 39. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and Solar Soiree last night was attended by Kevin S. Law, President & CEO of the Long Island Association; Southampton Town Councilman Christopher R. Nuzzi; Walter Hoefer, LIPA director of municipal and not-for-profit programs; as well as representatives from the office of Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Jr; the Village of Patchogue, plus commercial and individual clients, employees and prospective customers.

Together with a 50kW solar array installed at its retail operations and service department at 296 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, JTG now produces a total of 108,000kWh of solar electricity annually, making the company one of the largest renewable energy providers in the region to deploy solar to power its operations.

“It’s true we have the Montauk lighthouse shining brightly at the tip of Long Island. But with our solar arrays cranking strongly at the entrance to the Hamptons, the East End is becoming a beacon illuminating the power of renewable energy,” said John Tortorella, CEO of SunStreamUSA and President of J. Tortorella Group.

Overall, JTG’s solar array is one of the largest of any photovoltaic system on Long Island. The company has a growing expertise in designing and installing solar solutions for commercial clients around Long Island, including direct sales as well as the growing area of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

This coming winter, JTG will install another 60kW of solar power at its newest building at 286 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, which it plans to occupy by Spring 2011. In total, JTG’s planned 150kW solar arrays will produce 165,000kWh of electricity annually, saving $36,300 in electricity bills, 950lbs of SO2; 320 lbs of NoX; 200,500lbs of Co2; and 10,911 gallons of gasoline. These savings are equal to taking 403 cars off the road and planting 175 acres of trees annually – the visual equivalent of driving past seven miles of preserved Long Island Pine Barrens along Sunrise Highway -- and lighting the Montauk Lighthouse for 100 years.

"LIPA remains committed to partnering with businesses throughout Long Island to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy,” said LIPA Vice President of Environmental Affairs, Michael J. Deering. “Projects such as this one with SunStream USA are paramount in spreading the message of efficiency and highlighting the benefits, both financial and environmental, of embracing clean, renewable energy alternatives."

LIPA has been at the forefront of addressing the challenge of moving away from the fossil fuel energy model and helping its customers through significant investments in efficiency and renewable resources. LIPA’s nationally recognized solar programs as of August, 2010, have rebated $83.8 million for the installation of 3,136 residential and 215 commercial systems since the program’s inception, helping to transform the regional economy by creating a robust and competitive solar market on Long Island and helping to foster hundreds of new clean energy jobs.

"I congratulate the Tortorella Group for being a true role model by bringing solar energy to the business sector on Long Island,” said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of the not-for-profit organization Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI). “Anyone who owns commercial premises should consider investing in solar technology because today’s solar electric systems are very cost-effective, reliable, and will operate for decades while lowering electric bills year after year.”

"The Tortorella Group has demonstrated to other Long Island businesses the value and growing affordability of utilizing solar energy to power their organizations. They have shown that Long Island can indeed turn our energy challenges into economic development opportunities, and that good clean jobs can be created while our environment is protected. Long Island needs more companies like Tortorella and SunStream to flourish here,” said Kevin S. Law, President & CEO, Long Island Association.

"We are proud of our local businesses leading the way in renewable energy use," said Southampton Town Councilman Christopher Nuzzi. "Solar installations like those of the Tortorella Group save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and exemplify leading by example." The Town of Southampton presented J. Tortorella Group with a proclamation today underscoring the company’s commitment to renewable energy as a route to green job creation and environmental preservation.

“If you’re a business owner, particularly of real estate or commercial property out East, I can’t think of a better way to grow,” said M. Timothy Cunningham, President of Cunningham Insurance in Southampton. “These days, you may not be able to raise prices to the consumer or increase tenants’ rent. But you certainly can cut costs.

Installing solar is a powerful business tool. You can hold electric costs to a minimum and pass savings on to customers or tenants or plow them right back into your business,” said Mr. Cunningham.

According to Catherine A. Bedard, of Corcoran Group Real Estate in Southampton and the East End’s first certified Eco-Broker, “Right now is the very best time to invest in solar electricity and other forms of renewable energy. Insightful homeowners and commercial property owners are looking for ways to distinguish their holdings. Offering aesthetically pleasing and affordable green spaces are a perfect solution. This is absolutely the future of real estate.”

“As a commercial user of solar electricity, I can say unequivocally that installing photovoltaics has helped us save a considerable sum of money. Especially in these difficult financial times, making every dollar stretch as far as possible and plowing those savings back into our operations has helped our balance sheet tremendously.

Between federal incentive tax credits, still generous LIPA rebates, accelerated depreciation tools plus the lower cost of silicon and related materials, businesses can install solar at very favorable rates. We have found that the payback is immediate,” said Mr. Tortorella.

JTG installed its first 10kW solar array atop JTG’s Southampton headquarters a little over five years ago. Since then, Mr. Tortorella has added a new 20kW solar array every few years. In 2005, Mr. Tortorella created a renewable energy company as a result of seeing the benefits of solar at his own operations. “After installing solar on our own roof, clients began to request solar for their homes and businesses,” he said. Thus, a new business called SunStreamUSA was born.

In five years, SunStream USA has grown to become the seventh largest installer of renewable energy on Long Island and the second largest locally-based solar company on the South Fork of the East End. SunStream employs six full-time employees plus teams of workers who collaborate from inside and outside JTG to service individual and corporate client needs, as required. SunStream specializes in solar electric and solar thermal solutions for residential, commercial and non-profit organizations. The company manufactures its own highly efficient and affordable private label panels under the SunStream USA logo. SunStream also offers the opportunity for organizations to deploy solar through its Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), which enable entities to enjoy the benefits of renewable energy solutions without the initial financial obligation.

Earlier this year, SunStream USA launched a television advertising campaign aimed at its target “greenstream” consumer, many of whom have been considering making the switch to renewable energy in their homes and places of business and are now ready to act. “The company’s tv and print campaign, ‘Enough Talk: DO SUNthing’ expresses a call to action with direct appeal to commercial and residential consumers who want an experienced solar designer and contractor to help them make the switch to renewable energy,” said Rick Chiorando, Chief Creative Officer of Austin & Williams, creator of SunStream’s advertising campaign.

“On Long Island, there is growing awareness of the need to preserve our precious natural resources, and many of our customers are the same individuals who have already taken action to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Brian Tymann, Director of Operations for SunStream USA. They may be driving a hybrid or thinking about it, reusing natural material grocery bags and stainless water bottles, composting and recycling, buying energy efficient appliances and light bulbs, patronizing local farmstands or otherwise finding ways to cut their energy consumption. Making the switch to renewable energy is the next logical step for these ‘greenstream’ individuals and we think businesses will begin to see solar in the very same light,” said Mr. Tymann.

“Solar electric systems are now quite affordable for businesses. With the right renewable energy system, we can reduce electricity bills for most businesses and dramatically reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Commercial solar applications are really the next wave of our industry,” said Mr. Tortorella.

---

There are seven member JTG companies, including: J. Tortorella Custom Gunite Pools; J. Tortorella Service & Maintenance, Inc.; J. Tortorella Heating & Gas Specialists Inc.; Serafina Industries; Autochem Bulk Chlorine Distributors; Accents Backyard Essentials; and SunStream USA.

SunStream USA is a leading provider of renewable energy solutions, focused on bringing solar electric, solar hot water, wind and geothermal applications to residential and commercial clients throughout Long Island. SunStream USA recently received the unique “Net Zero” award from the New York Solar Energy Industry Association (NYSEIA) for its work in designing and installing solar electric and solar thermal panels at the Hamptons Green Alliance (HGA) home in Southampton, rebuilt this year for the Dubin Family after a fire destroyed their residence. SunStream USA is a proud member of the forward-acting Hamptons Green Alliance.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2010, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency of service interruptions, and ranked second for duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org.

Media Contact Information
Mark Gross
Phone - (516) 719-9892
Media Pager - (516) 229-7248
media.relations@lipower.org

Multimedia Gallery

Stay Connected