The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that applications are being accepted for the third round of support for Solarize campaigns for communities across the state.<\/p>\n
Under the NY-Sun program, Solarize campaigns make going solar easier and more affordable for residents and business owners through community-driven campaigns, according to NYSERDA officials. NY-Sun is a component of the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) program and its strategy to build a cleaner, more resilient, and affordable energy system for New Yorkers.<\/p>\n
Applications for Round 3 of Solarize will be accepted through Nov. 3. Communities are eligible to receive $5,000 to establish new Solarize campaigns.<\/p>\n
Solarize campaigns provide support for community education and marketing of solar group purchasing projects. In this round, NYSERDA said it will encourage communities to consider participating in the Clean Energy Communities program, a $16 million Clean Energy Fund (CEF) initiative to help local governments across the state reduce energy consumption and drive clean energy use in their communities.<\/p>\n
The Clean Energy Communities program recognizes community Solarize campaigns as one of 10 actions that have high-impact on energy use and the environment.
\n“Solar energy is key to Gov. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision to build a cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient energy system for all New Yorkers, while creating clean energy jobs across the state. Solarize campaigns enable communities to transition to clean and sustainable energy, save money while doing so and inspire their neighbors to do the same,” said NYSERDA President and CEO John B. Rhodes.<\/p>\n
The first round of 26 Solarize campaigns in 2015 resulted in more than 900 solar installations and saved participants an estimated $1.4 million on up-front purchase costs for solar, for an average of approximately $1,590 per project.<\/p>\n
Solarize campaigns are managed by community partnerships that include local municipalities, planning organizations, sustainability groups, state legislators and business groups. Officials said the campaigns bring together groups of potential solar customers through widespread outreach and education, and help customers choose solar companies that offer competitive, transparent pricing.<\/p>\n
The campaigns generally run for between six and nine months, including planning and outreach. By educating the local community, streamlining marketing efforts, and bringing customers together, Solarize campaigns help make going solar more affordable and more accessible.<\/p>\n
Solarize is part of NY-Sun, a $1 billion initiative to advance the scale-up of solar energy and move the state closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry.<\/p>\n
From 2012-2015, solar power in development and installed in New York grew by 575 percent, officials said. As a result, New York’s solar industry is now the fourth largest in the nation and currently employs more than 8,250 workers, an increase of more than 3,000 jobs since 2013.<\/p>\n
NYSERDA said in 2016, double-digit job growth is expected to continue with another 1,000 additional jobs created as a result of the state’s robust solar project pipeline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that applications are being accepted for the third round of support for Solarize campaigns for communities across the state. Under the NY-Sun program, Solarize campaigns make going solar…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n