Leprechaun Bus Solar Energy New Windsor, NY

New Windsor, NY | 253.26 kW System

Leprechaun Bus Lines is a third-generation, family-owned transportation company in New Windsor, NY. Started in 1934, the company owns and operates school, transit, and charter buses. Frank Gallagher, owner and CFO, is constantly looking for ways to reduce his company’s expenses. Watch as he explains the economics behind his decision to go solar.

Project Details

Financial Impact

Total System Cost

$632,810

Savings

Federal Tax Credit

-$189,843

USDA Grant

-$158,000

NYSERDA*

-$99,666

Total Savings

-$447,509

Net Cost (after incentive)

$185,301

* - Larger than 200 kW

Financial Highlights

71% installation cost covered by tax credits & grants
5 yr. expected time for system payback
22% ROI

System Overview

804 solar panels and 8 inverters

253.26 kW System

Projected Production: 289,466 kWh annually

Environmental Impact

Tons of CO2 Offset / Year:

225.1 Tons

Tree Offset / Year:

5,239.3 Trees

Barrels of Oil Offset / Year:

474.7 Barrels

Benefits of Solar for Leprechaun Bus Lines

Leprechaun Bus Lines is enjoying numerous benefits from switching to solar.

They virtually eliminated a fixed cost from their budget
With remote net metering, the solar system produces enough energy to cover 6 company buildings throughout New Windsor and Newburgh, NY
The system will provide 26+ years of free electricity after the expected payback period is reached

Testimonial

“To me, Paradise Energy is the go-to source [because of] their business ethics, the straightforward and painless way they conduct themselves, the speed of which you get a quote, the speed at which the system is installed.”

Frank Gallagher

CFO of Leprechaun Bus Lines

Designing an Energy-Efficient Building

After a 2012 fire destroyed their building, Leprechaun Bus Lines was forced to design and construct a new office and service facility from the ground up. Frank Gallagher took this as an opportunity to design an energy-efficient building that would reduce overhead costs and increase comfort for his staff. Alongside radiant heating, LED lighting, and auxiliary heating sources that use recycled oil, Frank designed the roof of this new building with solar in mind. The low-slope roof is oriented toward the southwest and built with standing seam metal, which would make installing solar panels easier.

With the building nearing completion in 2015, the plan was to install a solar array in the next 5 years, when Gallagher believed it would make more financial sense. But he never imagined solar would make sense so soon.

Meeting Paradise Energy Solutions

In August 2015, Gallagher went to a solar open house hosted by Paradise Energy’s New York Team.

The event was held at Ray’s Transportation, a new solar installation just across the street from Gallagher’s almost-finished building. At this event, Frank Gallagher met with a Paradise Energy Solar Consultant, who showed him how it was the perfect time to switch to solar in New York state. Thanks to generous incentives, tax credits, and grants, he could save up to 75% on the installation of a solar array system for his new building. After looking at the numbers, Gallagher was convinced solar was the right move; he signed a contract and we started designing the system.

Our staff took care of all the permits and paperwork for the project, including the 167-page application for the federal USDA grant. In 2016, Gallagher was awarded a USDA REAP grant for $158,000 – more than 25% of the installation costs. Combined with credits and other incentives, Gallagher saved 71% of the cost of their solar installation.