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Friday, February 19, 2010

What's That On The Firehouse Roof?

Joe,

What's that on top of the firehouse in first picture in the post below? Is that a solar panel?

If it is, where did it come from? It wasn't on the plans, and the ex-Chief was asked why not, but didn't have a good answer.
For the $10,000,000+ that they spent on the building, it seemed like it should have been a slam-dunk to spend another $50-100,000 or so to install a rooftop system that would actually pay for itself in less than ten years and then become even better than paid off: it would yield credits from Delmarva Power. (Duh!)

Secondly, if it is, who paid for it? I don't recall any city council activity about it or announcement from the SFD.

Thirdly, if it is, why is it so small? It looks more like a passive heat exchange unit, that would only heat water for washing, etc. and heating. Which brings us back to questions 1 and 2.

Anybody have an inside track on this?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

that is the top of the training tower. no fancy solar panals

Anonymous said...

Typically solar panels do not pay off unless the government pays/credits half of the bill. Which is paid by you and me.
I am LEED certified and have built countless buildings with panels on them. Most commercial sized buildings break even in 15-20 years with the gov't paying half the bill. If you insulate the building above standards than you get a break even around 10 years.

Anonymous said...

Quit nitt-picking! I don't always agree with what SFD does, in fact I never do, but that's not even a solar panel! Its the roof of the training tower behind the station. Maybe if you actually know what you were talking about then you wouldn't looks so stupid right now...

Anonymous said...

looks to me as if it is a roof over the tees of a little driving range. I say to the citizens in the neighborhood, "FORE!"

Anonymous said...

Technology isnt all its cracked up to be, not in the long run.

Anonymous said...

12:46... are you really LEED "certified"? You should know that buildings are certified and LEED professionals are Accredited... hence the designation of LEED AP... but you probably knew that... being "certified" and all.

Also... people, let's get our facts straight before we start needlessly running our mouths. Granted the SFD has made stupid fiscal decisions in the past, but a simple drive-by on route 50 would show you that the roof in the picture is on the training tower. "Phronesis"... get off your butt and do a little work.

Anonymous said...

Last time I checked green standing seam metal roofing did not generate any electricity.

Anonymous said...

It is definitely a training tower, have been there seen it been in it...

OP start checking your facts before you accuse, while they are not perfect, there is no need to start extra drama

Anonymous said...

Ignorance is blissssssssss!

DJ

Anonymous said...

snow...what are you slow?

Anonymous said...

I got fooled by the photo, too.

So why didn't they buy solar panels when they built the place?
The county library did and they have nothing to say but good things about them.

Mike said...

7:13, LOL, You sound like such a child... "Oh...they aren't solar panels??? Well...Well...Why didn't they have panels???"

If they did have solar panels you would be questioning why they bought the super deluxe package instead of the super duper deluxe pro package...

And to the original poster, why are you so concerned about a firehouse that you apparently have never even driven by?

Before you say it let me beat you to it, no I'm not a Salisbury Fireman, just someone who laughs at all the people that have to scrutinize every detail and spend all their time trying to find things to whine about.

Anonymous said...

Letter to the Editor

So what's with Rick Hoppes bad mouthing Jim Ireton to the men of the Salisbury Fire Department? Did he get his feelings hurt because Jim is intelligent enough to realize Hoppes isn't qualified to be a leader or department head.

Ireton did make a mistake by listening to John Pick about putting Hoppes in the Acting Chiefs position.

Boot Pick next.

Anonymous said...

Pick should have been booted right after Jim was elected along with the lawyer, Pam Oland who makes financial mistakes for 4 years running and the council majority calls it a "mistake". Lore Chambers is another waste of taxpayers dollars. Only reason she has a job is because Barrie could control her and EEO quotas.