Question # 1. - Which presentation did you find most interesting?

1. Dr. D’Augustino 12.5% of respondents

2. All 50% of respondents

3. Profs. Dathatri & Elgun 12.5% of respondents

4. Paul Rogers and Peter Caradonna 25% of respondents

Question # 2. - What did you like least.

Zoning laws : The panel did not fully address it.

Audience attach on Municipalities

Law details

Question # 3 - Which topic of the symposium did you feel was not sufficiently discussed.

All

Zoning and Integration

The big picture perspective

PV Cells and Zoning and Building codes

Question # 4 - Were the presentations-

Too long - 0

Just right 78% of respondents

Too short 22% of respondents

Question # 5 - Could you hear the presenters easily.

Yes - 100% of respondents

No - 0%

Question # 6 - Were you able to read slides and other visual materials during presentations.

Yes - 89% of respondents

No 11%

Question # 7 - What did you think of printed program.

Very good - 75% of respondents

Great - 12.5%

Good 12.%%

Question # 8 - What topic would you like to be discussed in the next conference.

1. Standerdization and Kit forms of Equipment
2. Savings real examples
3. Building requirement with Town and Village representatives
4. Reducing payback period for PV
5. Sample ordinances for local municipalities to adopt
6. Retrofitting old buildings to be more sustainable
7. Owner operator data Acquisition
8. 100% Solar heated and cooled Buildings

Question # 10 - Do you have any background in a field related to the conference topic.

Master Electrician 40% of respondents

Planning and Environmental Science 20% of respondents

Technician and solar contractors 60% of respondents

Question # 11 - Is there anything you would add or change about the program.

Keep up the good work

More Science, less speculation and procedural guidelines

Question # 12 - How did you find out about the conference

Letter/Flier – 89% of respondents

SUNY Farmingdale WEB 11% of respondents

Other Website -

Fellow Associate

Registration and continental breakfast started around 8:00 a.m.

By 9:00 a.m. more than 150 participants were in attendance.

Welcome address was given by Dr. Jonathan Gibralter, President, Farmingdale State University of New York who called upon all participants to exchange ideas to promote solar energy and to evolve strategies to overcome barriers. He assured the audience that the college through the Solar Energy Center (SEC) would be an effective conduit for all issues on solar energy and other alternative forms of energy. He cited the various projects undertaken by the College and called upon the companies to collaborate with Farmingdale State University.

The panel discussions got started. All the panel presentations were moderated by Mr. Richard Michaud of the Department of Energy of the Boston Regional Office.

The first panel was on Manufacturers’ and Solar Contractors’ Perspectives.

The panelists for this session were:

Bruce Humenik Applied Energy Group Inc.

Tom Leyden Power Light

Dr. D’Augustino Evergreen Solar

Hugh Whitenack Hugh Electric

Dr. Gay Canough ETM Solar Works

Andris Garsils KEYSPAN

Bruce Humenik presented a review of the perspectives of Manufacturers and Solar Contractors in order to focus on specific issues. His power point presentation is attached as Appendix 1.

The first presenter was Tom Leyden from Power Light. He made a very extensive presentation on how the manufacturers have made progress in the in the past decades and delineated the growth of the industry. He specifically highlighted the advantages of Power Light panels for commercial applications. He mentioned how the solar electric power would closely resemble the peak demand of utility companies. His presentation is attached as Appendix 2.

A small deviation in the program was made to include the Supervisor of Hempstead Town. …….. She exhorted the participants to come up with innovative ideas to use renewable energy and keep the environment safe. She reminded that the Governor has signed an executive order that states 25% of the energy used in public buildings should come from green sources. She promised that the town of Hempstead would do everything in its power to encourage solar energy and other renewables. Already a wind mill is opened in the Nature Reserve of the town.

The panel discussions continued with Dr. D’Augustino of Evergreen Solar giving information to participants about the grown of the industry in Europe and Japan. He cited the key issue in the US is that everyone would look at economics but at a short term. He mentioned the key issue to win the battle is to educate the consumer and change the energy culture of people.

The next speaker was Dr. Gay Canough of ETM Solar Works. She has worked in the field to train installers and work with the different sectors of the industry to remove any barriers. She mentioned that inverters are a source of problem. She also mentioned that the rebate program should be more steady to send a good message to the public as also the solar industry. She focussed on some of the current maintenance issues discussed.

Hugh Whitenack of Hugh Electric mainly reserved his comments to answer any questions that the participants may have.

Andris Garsils of KEYSPAN described how with in the utility training on this new technology is given and described the highlights of the interconnection requirements developed in consultation with other utilities.

Some of the questions and comments to the panelists consisted of

Why the market growth is not strong enough?

Market to buy and sell attribute not present

Why should LIPA not own large scale PV systems for power generation?

It was suggested to reduce the time for rebates.

Since the panels produce DC power why not use it directly instead of converting to AC?

Bring in tax credits for small business owners and encourage a federal tax credits.

The Keynote speaker for the conference was Richard Kessel of LIPA.

He mentioned how since its inception LIPA has encouraged clean energy program by spending 170 million dollars. He cited the various clean energy programs including the Solar Pioneer program. He made an assurance that LIPA would gaurantee the rebate at current levels for another 500 K.W. He called upon local Governments to help in the speeding of permitting process.

Following the Keynote Speaker, a presentation was made by Profs. Dathatri and Elgun on the status of development PV on Long Island and listed the suggestions from several sources for developing the industry on Long Island. The presentation is attached as Appendix 3.

This was followed by a lunch break and visit to vendor booths.

The afternoon session started with a panel discussion. The panel discussion was titled "Zoning laws, Building codes and Permitting Process"

The panelists were

Bruce Humenik Applied Energy Group.

Wayne Horsley Councilman Town of Babylon

Peter Caradonna Architect

Paul Rogers Architect

Kenneth Kramer Architect and Solar Pioneer

Kathleen Whitley Citizens Advisory Panel and Long Island Shines

Donald Eversoll Developer / Builder

Bruce Humenik gave a overview of the issues involved regarding the permitting process in order to focus the discussions.

The first speaker was Councilman Wayne Horsley who emphasized the basic for the permitting process and promised that the Town would come up with methodologies to hasten and simplify the process of permitting but without compromising on the safety issues.

The next speaker was Peter Cardonna who made a nice presentation on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) the design protocol adopted by many states and the federal government. He stressed the importance of designing buildings with minimum energy use since the resale value will depend on energy efficiency in the future as the fossil fuel reserves dry up. Appendix 4

The next speaker was Kathleen Whitley who stressed consumer education and education of the people involved in the permitting process. She also stressed the importance of standardization of the permitting process through out Long Island. He appealed to the engineering community to evolve standards such that they do not impede the installation of renewable energy components.

The next speaker was Donald Eversoll who compared the practices in different parts of the country regarding the use of solar energy products, incentives and building codes and zoning laws. He was of the firm opinion that the hurdle lies in the ignorance of concerned people. He stressed that the present code is adequate in addressing renewable energy issues and complemented the comments of Peter Carodonna on integrated design in buildings. He also mentioned that this technology should of interest in low income housing to make the people more self reliant.

The next speaker was Paul Rogers an architect. He highlighted the drawbacks in the conventional architectural designs as far as the energy perspective is concerned. He questioned the validity of continuing with same type of construction which may make the planet unsustainable. He also cited the building integrated design, energy star program and LEEDs. His architecture firm encourages clients to consider green options in building design. He mentioned he following aspects to be the key to success in sustainability of the planet. Use passive solar components, Plan building integrated design, Use structure insulated panels, Consider air floor construction, make appropriate selection of site for construction, Use energy star products, Use photovoltaics to supplement the electrical needs etc.

The next speaker was Kenneth Kramer an architect. He highlighted the aspects of new building code to encourage energy efficient buildings. He suggested that the architects should push more for active and passive solar designs of buildings.

Questions and Discussion: After the presentation by the panelists a brief question answer session started. Some of the important questions that were raised and answered are as follows.

1. How to change design standard to fit more solar power?
2. Has there been any attempt to evolve a uniform standard and practice of permitting process?
3. Can someone explain the typical process, time frame and fee structure involved in going through a PV application?
4. What is expected of the solar industry to come up with to make the solar design more acceptable to the building inspectors, electrical inspectors and town boards?
5. Does the permitting process need signed and sealed drawings by architects or structural engineers?
6. Do the towns require LIPA approved solar installers to perform the jobs?
7. What are codes and permitting process in other parts of the country?
8. Is there a effort by the professional association of architects to encourage renewable energy and building integrated design?

The panelists and some members of the audience answered the questions as best as possible.

Conclusion:

Prof. Dathatri of Farmingdale Solar Energy Center thanked everyone for making the conference a success. He specifically thanked, Richard Michaud of DOE, Bruce Humenik of Applied Energy Group who have steered the conference most appropriately. He thanked all the vendors for participating and making available their products for the benefit of all the attendees of the conference.

The audience wanted the future conference to involve more towns and villages so that a uniform permitting process could be evolved. They suggested small group discussion of topics of interest to individuals using breakout sessions.

A list of vendors who participated in the conference is attached separately. We are very thankful to all the vendors for their presence.

Conference was sponsored by Department of Energy.

Organized by:

Solar Energy Center SUNY Farmingdale

Institute of Sustainable Development L.I. University C. W. Post Southampton Campus

Long Island Shines/Citizens Advisory Panel

LIPA

Appendix 1a

Appendix 1b

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4