Bay Equine Service to Host Open House on March 20 Exhibiting New Solar-Powered Facility
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (March 16, 2010) – Dr. Linda Molesworth has run Bay Equine Service at Fresh Meadows, a veterinary practice for horses, from a 47-acre farm in Calvert County for the past 10 years. During this time, she has treated and rehabilitated hundreds of horses, providing care in foaling, surgery, vaccinations, dentistry, ultrasound, acupuncture and chiropractic treatment in addition to turn-out and lay-up services.
Dr. Molesworth runs her small business from a 10,000 square foot, all-metal barn with 16 stalls, a veterinary office and an attached apartment and, like all small business owners, is always on the lookout for ways to save money and operate more efficiently. This year, she committed to improving her company’s bottom line – while eliminating dependency on public utilities to power her facility – by switching to solar power.
“I was approached a year ago to consider adding solar panels to the facility but at the time it just wasn’t cost-effective for the business,” Dr. Molesworth said. “Now, however, there are federal grant programs available that can pay for up to 30 percent of the system’s cost which makes it affordable. I expect this system will pay for itself in five years by eliminating my electric bills. Plus, the solar panel system adds to the value of my property which is a bonus.”
The system, consisting of 92 photovoltaic panels, switches and wiring, was positioned on the facility’s roof at an angle that catches the most sunlight each day. SMECO installed a new meter on the facility to record the amount of electricity being generated by the panels and issues a credit to Dr. Molesworth. “It’s really fun to monitor how much power I generate versus how much I use,” she said. “If I make more electricity than I use each month, I’ll receive a credit on my electric bill. It’s a great way to go green, help the environment and save money.”
Dr. Molesworth will host a special open house on March 20 to demonstrate the solar power panel system and provide tours of the facility. There will be basketball activities, free refreshments and pony rides for the children. In addition, experts from All In Energy Solutions of St. Mary’s County, installers of the solar panel system, will be on hand to answer questions.
Bay Equine Service is located in Huntingtown, Md., at 2195 Hunting Creek Road. For more information, call 410-535-9700, e-mail bayequine(at)aol.com or visit online at www.freshmeadows.net.