Tesla Donates Solar Roof to Buffalo Heritage Carousel

By Karen L. Edwards, RCS Editor. 

The historic carousel will be powered by the sun. 

Buffalo, New York is undergoing a revitalization of their urban waterfront that includes plans to bring in an historic carousel that was manufactured in western New York state - the 1924 DeAngelis Carousel. The carousel will be housed in an enclosed building, featuring solar power on the roof to power the ride. 

The community has organized a capital fundraising campaign to restore the carousel and build its new home, which builds on the community’s legacy of being a leader in the use of renewable energy. A website dedicated to the project explains the area first used renewable energy “in 1901 with the transmission of hydro-electric power from Niagara Falls to Buffalo.” 

Buffalo News reports that Assemblyman Sean Ryan urged Tesla, who began manufacturing in the are in 2017, to get involved with the project. "This winter, I discussed the Buffalo Heritage Carousel project with the people at Tesla and told them it would be a great demonstration of a product made in Buffalo," Ryan told Buffalo News. 

According to the article, Tesla declined to comment on the donation. The building will feature a two-tiered solar roof. Estimates for the roof had come in around $150,000 according to fundraising campaign director Corky Burger. Laurie Hauer-LaDuca, president of Buffalo Heritage Carousel told Buffalo News, "With the support of Tesla, this rare and historic carousel will be powered by the sun and offer a new family recreational and educational attraction located along the boardwalk." 

The project is on track to open for the 2021 Memorial Day weekend and restoration and painting of the carousel’s 34 animals has been completed by local artists and artisans.  

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