November 6th, 2008 11:19am
Energy is all around us: the wind, the sun, the excitement of a new president. And while the latter may be hard to harness, certain local businesses are taking full advantage of solar and wind energy. Not only are the long-term costs being taken into consideration, but the notion of being a responsible member within the community has been a guiding force.
As Susan L. Silk and The Martha’s Vineyard Times have reported, West Tisbury-based design/build firm South Mountain Inc. has noticed a shift. More island businesses are interested in energy-efficiency audits and the use of solar and other alternative — and renewable — sources of power.
Our Market in Oak Bluffs plans on generating 12,000-kilowatt hours of electrical energy annually by installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Cronig’s Market is also looking towards the sun (not directly though, of course). They are currently finalizing plans to install solar panels on both their Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury stores. The new M.V. Hospital is thinking ahead too, as it has a 45-killowatt solar panel system and the purchase of wind turbine power in its construction plans. And Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown has just received a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture to be put towards the construction of a 50-killowatt wind turbine.
Energy is a nationwide concern, and it needs the sun to help it grow and the wind to keep it moving. Locally, we understand this.
