** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ** Wednesday, August 6, 2008 Contact: Ed Kalinowski, Asst. PIO 302-834-9336 (Station 15), 302-753-9097 (cell) OR: Dave Carpenter, Jr., PIO 302-893-4309 (Cell) Fire Company Leads the Effort in State for Alternative Energy Delaware City is first Fire Company in Delaware to “Go Solar” with assistance through State Energy Office Grant Delaware City, DE – The Delaware City Fire Company is pleased to announce that they are “lighting up” as being the first solar-powered fire station in Delaware. Starting on July 25th, the Fire Company was able to turn the switch, and go from paying high costs for electricity, to generating some of its own electricity with over 72 kilowatts of photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy source. KW Solar Solutions LLC of Newark installed 360 solar panels on the roof of the station over the past two months. The panels are arranged in 13 sections, and are secured to the roof areas facing the rear of the property, towards the south and east. The solar power is converted to energy through inverters and processed to the electric panels, while maintaining separation from the utility company power grid. The system is now fully operational and providing more electricity than originally estimated by the contractor. The solar output accounts for 30 percent of the station’s energy usage. The equipment and installation cost was $ 490,000 and is being funded by a 50 % match grant from the State of Delaware’s Energy Office, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. KW Solar Solutions is a participating contractor in the Energy Office’s renewable energy source program. The balance of the cost is being financed through a loan from PNC Bank. This viable solution was achieved through a member committee that reviewed methods to save energy and cut operational costs within the station and social hall built in 2004. After working with Delmarva Power to achieve lower costs through motion detectors and other energy reduction measures, the Fire Company embarked on alternative energy solutions. Grant applications, loan applications, and contractor oversight was performed entirely by the volunteer members of the Fire Company. Fire Company President Poppe remarked, “The Department strives to improve our services by maximizing the community’s valuable donations.” Additional information and viewing of the solar system may be arranged with Assistant PIO Ed Kalinowski by contacting the station at the numbers listed.