FREEPORT, NY - November 28, 2011 - EmPower Solar today joined with officials from the Village of Freeport in celebrating the completion of a 50 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system at Freeport Fire Department headquarters on Broadway. By going solar the village will save approximately twenty percent a year on the firehouse's annual electric cost. Funding for the $355,000 project was obtained by the Village of Freeport through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Island Park, NY-based EmPower Solar, a leading solar energy engineering and installation company, was selected by the village earlier this year as part of a competitive bid process. "The Village of Freeport's commitment to renewable energy demonstrates that solar can dramatically reduce operating costs and our dependence on fossil fuels," said David G. Schieren, CEO, EmPower Solar. "This type of partnership and collaboration once again confirms the viability of solar power as the growing and dominant energy technology of the 21st century." "There are many ways a municipality can go green and Freeport has instituted several steps to reduce its carbon footprint," said Freeport mayor Andrew Hardwick. In addition to the firehouse solar installation, the village has also purchased several hybrid vehicles, including a hybrid bucket truck for the electric utility and has replaced 340 street lights with more energy efficient lighting. ABOUT EMPOWER SOLAR EmPower Solar is a leading solar engineering and installation company serving residential and commercial markets in New York. Since 2003, EmPower has installed over 350 residential, commercial and non-profit solar power systems in the Tri-State Area. Additionally, EmPower has consulted on many clean energy projects throughout the country, including solar powered hydrogen fueling systems and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. EmPower is committed to the EmPowering Way operating philosophy, defined by the highest quality work and professionalism. More information about EmPower can be found online at: http://www.empower-solar.com. Image of the Freeport Fire Department solar installation can be downloaded at: http://hldnow.com/Pr/page/FreeportFD.asp