New York state has launch Community
Solar NY, a new effort under the NY-Sun
initiative to make implementing solar easier
and more affordable for communities across
the state.
The program launched in December
supports community projects known as “Solarize”
campaigns – locally-organized community
outreach efforts aimed at getting a
critical mass of area homes and businesses
to install solar, state officials said.
“Transitioning to affordable and clean
energy is a large part of our goal of building
a better New York state – and today we’re
taking another step forward to make that
goal a reality,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
“By
helping local communities implement solar
technologies, we are providing residents
throughout the state with greater access
to clean energy without the burden of high
costs. Community Solar NY is another initiative
that will help us deliver on our promise
to build a cleaner and greener Empire State,
and I encourage all interested communities
to join us by taking part in this effort.”
Solarize campaigns bring together widespread
community outreach and education,
competitive installer selection, and a
limited-time offer to bring more customers
to solar and provide significant cost savings.
Cuomo said Community Solar NY
will support these campaigns by providing
marketing materials, technical assistance
and funding; and by sharing best practices
to help community projects succeed.
John B. Rhodes, president and CEO of
the New York State Energy Research and
Development Authority (NYSERDA), said,
the program “is an innovative approach to
spur local communities to come together
to install and encourage the installation
of solar in homes, businesses and neighborhoods.
A new component of Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative, it is the latest
piece of a comprehensive program to help
the State advance toward installing 3,000
megawatts of solar by 2023.”
Communities across the state already
have had success with early Solarize efforts.
Community Solar NY seeks to encourage
many more communities to follow their
lead.
Community Solar NY also includes
K-Solar, a joint partnership between the
New York Power Authority (NYPA) and
NYSERDA, working with the New York State
Education Department to help schools
lower their energy costs by going solar.
NYPA is offering every school district free
energy advisory services and in collaboration
with school personnel will determine
if solar energy is suitable and cost-effective
for their district and to help secure the most
attractive solar financing. As of the end of
November, 194 school districts, representing
more than 800 schools in 51 counties, have
signed up to participate in K-Solar, according
to state officials.
Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and
CEO, said, by using Community Solar NY,
“homeowners and businesses can combine
efforts to go solar more affordably in a similar
way K-Solar is now bringing many school
districts together for cost-effective solar
installations. As K-Solar schools spread the
clean solar energy message, this will spark a
greater interest in all that Community Solar
NY has to offer.”
Applications and additional information
on Community Solar NY are available on the
NYSERDA web site at www.ny-sun.ny.gov/community-solar.
NY-Sun is a $1 billion state initiative to
advance the scale-up of solar and move the
state closer to having a sustainable, selfsufficient
solar industry.