ERS, Inc. and Steinway & Sons Install the World's Largest Commercial Rooftop Solar-Powered...

ERS, Inc. and Steinway & Sons Install the World's Largest Commercial Rooftop
Solar-Powered Dual-Purpose Heating & Cooling System

NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire/ --ERS, Inc., a progressive energy engineering
consulting firm based in Massachusetts, is currently working with Steinway &
Sons to install the largest solar-sourced industrial heating/cooling system in
the world at the renown piano maker's 11-acre manufacturing complex in Long
Island City, NY. ERS conceived the design and approached Steinway with the
project. "ERS was instrumental in the development of this project, and they've
played a key role in all phases including securing grants, conducting the
technical and economic analyses, and participating in the design and
implementation process. They will also conduct commissioning and analysis upon
completion of the installation," said Bill Rigos, Facilities Manager at
Steinway.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090518/NE18822LOGO )

The system works by collecting the sun's rays with 38 rooftop solar
concentrating troughs that reflect and focus the energy onto receiver tubes
through which a thermal fluid circulates. Once the liquid reaches 340 degrees
Fahrenheit, the system pumps it to a high performance 100-ton double-effect
absorption chiller that uses the superheated water to develop a chilled water
supply through a highly specialized process. The chilled water will be used to
provide cool air and dehumidification to help maintain the consistent
environment required for Steinway's piano manufacturing.

Another unique facet of this solar-powered system is that when
cooling/dehumidification is not needed, the solar hot water can be converted
to steam for process or space heating purposes in the factory. "You don't see
many renewable projects targeted at the industrial sector," says Mark
D'Antonio, Vice President of ERS. "However this type of system makes great
sense when you can utilize the solar energy year-round. Steinway has seasonal
loads for both heating and cooling/dehumidification, and they always have
process loads. Anytime the sun shines, they can put the energy to good use."

Since this sustainable project is being installed in New York City -- not
typically considered a premier solar location -- innovative features have been
used to optimize the system. The collectors automatically track the sun across
the sky, ensuring a maximum amount of sunlight collection. And for those
cloudy days when there is very little direct sunlight, the dual-fuel chiller
can use natural gas power instead of solar to operate. "Although one might not
consider New York City to be the sunshine capital of the U.S.," D'Antonio
says, "there are adequate solar resources for this type of system. Couple this
with high regional energy costs, available funding sources, and tax benefits,
and this system becomes a good business proposition."

The project is being partially funded by the New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and federal tax benefits, which, combined
with Steinway's cost share, result in a simple payback of less than 5 years.
ERS and NYSERDA will study the performance of this innovative system in order
to advance and promote the technology with hopes that it will be suitable for
wide adoption and implementation at other commercial and industrial
facilities.

About ERS, Inc.
ERS is a progressive energy engineering consulting firm based in Haverhill,
Massachusetts with additional offices in New York, Maine, Texas, California,
and Oregon. Our areas of specialization include energy efficiency analysis and
assessment, implementation of renewable/sustainable energy projects,
energy-efficiency program design and management, technology assessment,
measurements & verification, commissioning, industrial process evaluation,
green-building services, efficient-lighting design, and energy code
compliance.

SOURCE ERS, Inc.

Mark D'Antonio, Vice President of Engineering Operations, +1-978-521-2550 ext.
251, mdantonio@ers-inc.com