The following was issued by the Solar Initiative to provide updates on how solar energy is being brought to Block Island. This will be an ongoing series:
Carbon emissions have reached a point of severe environmental impact, including rising sea levels. Obviously, this is of concern to Block Islanders. And now we are doing something about it! The Block Island Solar Initiative is providing free or subsidized photo-voltaic systems to qualifying Block Island residents. The Solar Initiative is funded by a generous, anonymous donor whose goal is to reduce carbon emissions on the island he loves (not to mention the world in which we all live).
Since energy from the sun is non-polluting, sustainable, and free (except for converting it to electricity), the intent is to “solarize” island homes to the greatest extent possible.
To date under this program, seven island homes have had solar panels installed on their roofs, and 18 more are in the works. Installer David Reidy, President of CoolEnergy, says, “Of all the places in the country, solar installations make the most sense on Block Island. It has been a joy to work cooperatively with the donor, the town and BIPCo officials, and the
