Point Lookout Solar Charging Carports Now Offering Free Power to the Public

POINT LOOKOUT, NY - Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino recently announced that residents can now get free power through solar charging carports in Point Lookout.

Santino, along with Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and Tom Hug, owner of Hug Real Estate, joined together to state that the carports/charging stations will the public with energy to recharge electric-powered cars.

“As we close in on Earth Day, governments have a responsibility to lead by example when it comes to being environmentally responsible,” Santino said. “Partnering with drivers who care about our planet, we are making it easier for electric car owners to be kind to Mother Nature and repower their electric vehicles.”

The three town solar carports/charging stations, which are located at the township’s East Marina, along Lido Boulevard, immediately east of the Loop Parkway, can accommodate a total of six car and offer two levels of charging (120V and 240V).

Previously, the charging stations were used to energize several cars in the town’s electric car and truck fleet, but now that another charging facility at Hempstead’s nearby Conservation and Waterways Office is now fueling the town’s vehicles, the six stations at the East Marina are now free for public use.

“Offering free charging to residents for their electric vehicles is a great way to demonstrate that electric vehicles can be practical, and that government and the public have a shared commitment to the environment,” King Sweeney said.

Santino encouraged residents who own electric cars to "come on down to the beach" or one of Point Lookout’s local restaurants and recharge their car while they "relax at a great summertime destination."

The recharging station is within walking distance to beaches and local eateries.

“Why not recharge and relax at the beach or at a local restaurant while your car recharges at the town’s electric powered car recharging station,” Santino said.

To take advantage of this free service, residents can register with ChargePoint, the company that built the stations, which does require that their customers register credit card information, because some station owners charge a fee, but residents will not be charged.

After completing the registration, electric car owners will receive a scannable ChargePoint card, which will give users access to our station and others in the ChargePoint Network.

The charging station units and the associated solar canopy are worth a total of $200,000. The canopy was funded with federal grant monies secured by the town while the charging station units were provided by Green Power Technologies with the benefit of federal grants provided to the company.

The 14K system was installed by EmPower Solar.

Santino said that the solar carports/charging stations are located at a good site for owners of electric vehicles, stating that the small hamlet of Point Lookout is "home to a number of electric vehicles."

Tom Hug, owner of Hug Real Estate in Point Lookout, who commutes around Point Lookout in his GEM car, says he is excited about the opportunity to charge his vehicle at the new location.

“The town’s solar charging stations provide a great service to the public,” Hug said. “Together, government and people are making a positive difference for the environment.”

Santino presided over a “drag race”, pitting Hug against D’Esposito, driving two electric powered John Deere utility vehicles that are part of the town’s collection of work vehicles.