Photographs: Randee Daddona and Stephen Munshin

SUN-POWERED GOAT CHEESE

Like many energy-conscious Americans, Karen and Michael Catapano recently considered adding solar panels to their roof. “We have both always thought it’s a responsible thing to do,” Karen said.

So, when Brian Tymann of Sun Stream USA, a solar energy company in Southampton, told them how many panels they could squeeze onto the south-facing side of their new barn—and how much energy they would generate—the Catapanos were sold. “Our financial advisor ran the numbers and clinched it,” said Karen. “We’ll save $300 a month on our electricity bill and there are big tax credits at the end of the year.” Long Island Power Authority also refunds the Catapanos about 60 percent of the total costs.

The 50 200-watt solar panels that Sun Stream has installed, in addition to a solar hot-water heater, will provide about 50 percent of the power and hot water needed each year for the milking machines, milk chillers, pasteurizers, steam-cleaners and climate control in the cheese kitchen.

Although this is the first farm project for Sun Stream, Tymann emphasized that “from roof space to arrays on the ground, farm space that isn’t being used for growing things can be used for solar panels.” And the tax credits for commercial solar projects are significantly greater than those for residential projects.

“Generating electricity from solar energy means less consumption of fossil fuels, reducing pollution and providing those cost-cutting opportunities all businesses seek,” said Joseph Gergela, executive director of Long Island Farm Bureau, which has sponsored wind turbines on several farms.