Dan's Papers - October 31, 2008 - Harnessing Solar Power for Your Pool (It's the Law)

If you live in Southampton, you probably have heard about the Town's new green laws, including the new regulations for swimming pools. On residential properties over a 1/4 acre or more, all new outdoor swimming pools must be heated primarily by solar heat. As a result, many people are turning to companies like Southampton's own Sun Stream USA, which is under the progressive leadership of CEO John Tortorella. Sun Stream has frequently been able to deliver energy saving solutions and is at the forefront of the nation's efforts to go green. In fact, within the last year Sun Stream received a bid award to install its unique and brilliant system to create 11,000 kilowatt hours per year, using 44 solar panels, for the Franklin Square Public Library. Now they're taking aim at making their solar heating expertise and use of solar energy available to individual homes in Southampton, not only for the mandatory heating of outdoor swimming pools, but for electrical use, whether it be for lights for the grounds or to reduce the electrical dependence on LIPA and those much dreaded bills. With all the debate going on, even at recent budget meetings, about how green the Town of Southampton is to be and how soon it should happen, the law requiring this green technology puts the town at the forefront of the green movement.

Christopher O'Connor, of the Long Island Neighborhood Network, an environmental advocacy group, reportedly said that Southampton was part of a regional effort to set an example and make a difference. "The average Energy Star-rated home avoids putting out 2.2 tons of greenhouse gases a year," he said.

On explaining her support for the code, Town of Southampton Councilwoman Anna Throne-Holst reportedly said, "This code is first and foremost a response to the energy crisis, the climate change crisis and the economic crisis we are faced with. We need to respond. The role of the government is to protect and legislate for the public good. The Supervisor wants us to lead the way."

Tim Sharp, an East Hampton builder who specializes in enhancing existing homes' ability to go green, as well as new ones, said not too long ago that he is busy because when people "go over the numbers and think of their futures" they do what is right for them and their children's future.

Sun Stream, since it specializes in both residential and commercial renewable energy, has an extensive line of solar pool heaters. And although many don't truly understand the weather patterns, Dean Hapshe, a solar heating contractor, reportedly has data that he shared at a Town Board of Trustees meeting, explaining that on Long Island, the majority of days provides enough sunlight for solar heating to be effective and that in his 28 years of installing solar products for pools, all he had was happy customers. Anyone who recently looked at what it cost them to heat their pools the conventional ways this summer, gas or electric, will probably understand what Hapshe is saying.

In fact, there is a Hamptons Green Alliance, a group of companies that are looking to assist not only Southampton residents, but everyone on the East End, with their needs in terms of making their homes and life styles as green as possible (see related story). It's groups like this that will assist homeowners and builders with contacting the firms with the latest solutions to deal with the compliance of Southampton's new green laws in an affordable, if not cost saving, way. An opponent to the Southampton Green movement is Town of Southampton Councilman Chris Nuzzi. At these difficult times, with the local and national economies, he questions whether this is the right time to do this economically. Although he has been on record praising the concept, he reportedly said he was concerned about the financial "impacts to working individuals and working families." He believes this cannot be ignored at this perilous time.

Yet, companies like Sun Stream are signs of where the country must go, and Southampton is already going. Going green is not just a concept or small town law. It's common sense. Every long journey starts with a small step. There are few old timers left who remember the gas street lamps in Southampton. Perhaps in time we will be the old timers who remember the pre-solar energy lights around town.

Tortorella has a vision. He put his future on the wave of solar energy. He stands poised and ready right in Southampton to present his vision to anyone who walks into Sun Stream. It might be time to go visit and do something others are now being required to do by local law.