As we know, the Hamptons have been a retreat for artists and writers who seem to agree that the abundance of light, reflected and refracted from surrounding bodies of water, such as the ocean and bay, give the East End a seductive quality ideal for creative work. It’s true, I’ve witnessed and overheard many conversations here at Dan’s Papers where there is someone on the phone-line complaining of overcast and cloudy weather in Somewhere, NY and my co-workers respond with the same reaction, “Oh, that’s too bad. It’s always sunny here in the Hamptons.” And now, two men aim to do something more with the light than create artwork. Marc Clejan and business partner, Nick Albukrek, hope to make the Hamptons green.

Marc Clejan and Nick Albukrek are the owners of the East Hampton Company GreenLogic Energy. The business partners hope to turn the Hamptons green with products including geothermal systems, biodiesel technologies and their signature solar panels. GreenLogic aims to tap into America’s increasing interest in green energy. Worldwide, more than 4.5 million customers rely on solar energy as their primary source of electricity. “Not only do green energies help to cap global warming and save consumers cash,” says Clejan, “they also nurture peace by reducing dependence on foreign oil.” Clejan and Albukrek chose to base GreenLogic in East Hampton “because of the area’s nature-loving demographic,” said Clejan, who moved to East Hampton with his wife and children two years ago. And now, GreenLogic Energy hopes to help the Springs School District become the first East End district to invest in a solar electric system, a step that could be the first in bringing a plethora of renewable energy clientele to the Hamptons. The Springs School Board agreed to seek a project manager at their meeting for a proposed 20-kilowat system to be installed on the school’s roof within the next two years. In 2005, the school’s electricity bills approached the $70,000 mark. With a steady increase this year, the proposed resilient system would reduce electricity costs by 7 percent or more.

Although solar panels are expensive, federal and state rebates pay for 60-70 percent of the cost of residential systems and up to 80 percent of a commercial system according to GreenLogic Energy, who are working with the school district. After looking at the structure of the Spring school, Clejan and Albukrek felt that it would be simple to install the 50-kilowatt system and that expansions in the future could lead to an electrically self-sufficient building. The schools pitched roofs also help to get the optimum angle for the most desirable and efficient result.

A grant from the State Education Department and rebates from the Long Island Power Authority could possibly cover the installation cost of the 20-kilowatt system, which is estimated to cost approximately $200,000. Interestingly enough, The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority offers rebates and cash incentives, but, unfortunately, customers of LIPA and New York Power Authority are not eligible. Thomas Quinn, the district superintendent, and the owners of GreenLogic Energy hope that LIPA will reform their policies in the upcoming months — because if they were eligible for additional grants, the school could possibly zero-out their electric bill entirely.

Perhaps you don’t really understand electric solar power. Well, right now the way that you get your electrical power is from the electrical grid, where energy flows into your home or business through a meter. The meter measures how much electricity you consume for billing purposes. With renewable electric solar power, electricity is produced from sunlight, using what is known as Photo-Voltaic Cells. These cells produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. The more intense and frequent the light (as it always is here in the Hamptons), the more power the cells create. Even under cloudy conditions, electricity can be produced, although in lesser quantities.

Hopefully, the school district will receive monies from a new state grant program installed this year called, “Expanding Our Children’s Education and Learning,” otherwise known as the EXCEL grant. The Spring School District is eligible for $168,000, an amount which is aimed for “energy and technology-related expenditures,” in the budget according to Mr. Quinn. The State Education Department will not review the proposal until the district hires a new project manager.

Light is a wonderful, natural and beneficial element that we have on the East End and we should not hesitate to take advantage of it. By investing in solar electric power, you will save money, generate less pollution and perhaps, one day, you’ll be able to say that you live “off the grid.”

For more information, you can visit the GreenLogic Energys website at www.greenlogicenergy.com.

Sun Hampton