New Solar Energy System Donated To Disabled Man In Need

MASTIC BEACH, NY — Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, a disabled Mastic Beach homeowner felt the love recently when he was chosen as the recipient of a new rooftop energy system to help lower his monthly expenses.

Louis Fata was chosen by Hytech Solar from a list of 56 eligible Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk homeowners whose monthly electricity bills exceed $100 and who have been negatively affected by the pandemic, a release said. Despite eight surgeries and several years of rehabilitation, Fata needs a wheelchair and other assistance as the result of a robbery assault in 1996 that left him with 18 fused vertebrae, Habitat for Humanity said.

His chairlift and other home medical equipment consume a larger-than-normal amount of electricity, a release said.

An installation party was held at Fata's home on Longfellow Drive Saturday as the Bay Shore-based Hytech Solar flipped the switch to activate the system.

“I can’t thank you enough. Look at all these people here and the love in their hearts,” Fata said. “I always try to pay it forward, and it always comes back to you, so whenever you see someone in distress, help them because one day you may have 20 people to come to help you.”

Hytech initially planned on donating 10 solar panels, but after speaking with Fata, Valerie Whalan, Hytech Solar’s president, decided to more than double the donation to 23 solar panels, the release said. “We would like to congratulate Louis on the switch to cleaner and greener electricity,” she said. “We could not have picked a more deserving homeowner than Louis, and are so lucky to be partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk for this event.”

Lee Silberman, chief executive officer and executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, added: “We’re happy for the opportunity to work with companies like Hytech Solar. We are all about affordable housing and solar energy makes an affordable house even that much more affordable.”

After the activation, Fata invited all in attendance to a barbecue given by a Rolling Smoke Grill food truck.