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New solar panels helping to power Amherst gas mart

Ashley Hirtzel
/
WBFO

Crosby’s convenience store unveiled 110 new solar panels at its location in Amherst Thursday. Canopy panels were installed above the gas stations fueling pumps, as well as on top of the store's roof. The renewable energy project was backed by NYSERDA. The array generated 4,300 kilowatt hours in its

first month operating and is expected to produce 30,000 kilowatt hours annually.

The owners of Crosby’s, Reid Petroleum plans to install more solar arrays at other stores across the region. Reid Group President Paul Quebral says the installation is expected to offset the businesses energy usage by 10 to 15 percent.

"We have a property that's limited in space. We felt we had room to be able to develop and fit a solar array. It'll reduce our overall consumption of energy. Really, this was a business decision driven by the desire to be efficient," Quebral said.

The project marks the second in the convenience store chain to utilize solar power, but it’s the first fueling station to use a canopy array. The first project took place at the Crosby’s located in Lockport.