The former Kingston, New York headquarters of IBM, TechCity, has been selected by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to participate in a federal study to determine the feasibility of large scale solar energy production at the site. The study is part of a national program that seeks to generate wind and solar energy at former industrial contamination sites. In order to determine the feasibility of solar PV at TechCity, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will install rooftop solar photovoltaic panels throughout the 256-acre complex. Ulster County's deputy director for economic development, March Gallagher believes the campus can house enough solar panels to generate more than 4 megawatts of electricity, roughly enough to power 4,000 homes.
TechCity is one of three New York State locations selected to participate in the study. The other locations are the former Bethlehem steel plant in Lackawanna and a large industrial wasteland in South Buffalo.
To learn more about the study visit http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111118/NEWS/111119739/-1/rss01.
