It’s true; New York’s Bellevue Fire District No. 9 in Cheektowaga, N.Y. completed a 28 kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system on the firehouse’s roof earlier this year. The fire department expects to save taxpayers $191,000 in energy costs over the projected 25 year lifespan of the project. But the panels could work for 40 to 50 years, adding even more savings to the project.

The PV array consists of 140 200-watt PV modules and was installed on two parts of the station’s roof. The project cost roughly $175,000. The majority, $137,000 was paid for through a New York State Energy Research and Development Authority grant, according to Solar Liberty, which installed the system and filed the grant application on the station’s behalf. The fire district paid for the remaining $37,000, which the district expects to recoup through electricity savings within the next six years, Solar Liberty said.

Bellevue Fire District Commissioner Jamie Casucci told industry magazine Fire Chief that upon becoming commissioner he found that operational costs at fire stations were high and pitched alternative energy as a way to save money on operations. As part of his research, he looked “into solar paneling, wind turbines and windmills” and called numerous companies. Solar Liberty was the only company that responded. He explained, “Everyone else said it was too small a project and didn’t want to do it.”

In the summer months the PV array produces most of the station’s needs during the day. But the fire station is located in western New York and it sees harsh winters with little direct sunlight; during those months, the PV installation won’t produce nearly enough electricity to power the station. In addition, as a 24/7 operation, it needs power at night. For both these reasons, the PV array is tied to the grid to supply power when the sun isn’t shining.

Overall, the system will supplant roughly 12 percent to 14 percent of the fire department’s total electricity consumption, Nathan Rizzo, the company’s vice president told Fire Chief. But those energy savings, he added, will amount to about $4,300 a year. Solar Liberty said the PV installation already saved $2,000 in electric costs this year.

Casucci told Fire Chief that funding to install PV systems remains.

“I’ve talked to the other eight commissioners, and they are looking into it, too,” Casucci said. “I’d like to see all of the districts in the town go to solar power.”