Richard Klein, right, president of Quixotic System Inc., the company that designed and installed the solar thermal system at the Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC on Manor Road in Sea View, explains how the system works to David Sorkin, executive director of the JCC. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The green initiative at the Jewish Community Center started small.
After an energy audit in 2009, engineers installed more-efficient light bulbs, pumps and motors, used non-toxic cleaners and hosted earth fairs and e-waste recycling collections.
Yesterday, officials at the Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC in Sea View showed off their biggest green venture of them all — a $170,000 solar thermal system that is expected to save $4,000 a year.
It will also reduce 27,500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of planting two acres of Douglas fir trees every year.
"We are celebrating the JCC's vigorous engagement and determination, not just to fight the fight, but to bequeath to our children and our children's children a planet refreshed and renewed with the ethic of stewardship to sustain it," said David Sorkin, JCC executive director.
The JCC received $120,000 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and $50,000 from the city Economic Development Corp. for the system's design and installation.
Its two dozen 10-foot solar panels will keep the building's hot water at a constant temperature of 180 degrees.
"Even on a cloudy day like today, it generates electricity," said JR Rich, the JCC's greening coordinator and part of the UJA-Federation of New York's Jewish Greening Fellowship.
On hand yesterday were Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island), Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) and City Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island/Brooklyn).
Up next is the installation of a $900,000 photo voltaic system, which will use solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity.
Most of the funding is already in place, including $530,000 from Borough President James P. Molinaro and $100,000 from the Island's Council delegation: Oddo, Debi Rose (D-North Shore) and Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore).
The Richmond County Savings Foundation also gave $100,000 and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority gave $44,000
It is expected to be installed next summer.