N.Y. Community Solarize Campaigns Lead To 900 Solar Projects

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Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, D-N.Y., has announced that 900 solar projects are under way through 26 community Solarize campaigns across New York State. A component of the NY-Sun program and the governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision strategy, the Solarize campaigns are geared toward locally organized community-outreach efforts aimed at getting more homes and businesses to install solar.

In addition, the governor has announced another 31 Solarize campaigns are set to begin this spring.

“New York is blazing the trail when it comes to transitioning to sustainable energy practices and building a clean energy economy,” says Cuomo. “By helping communities across the state install solar technologies, we are opening the door to new opportunities that will lower household energy costs while protecting the environment years into the future.”

Launched by Cuomo in December 2014, New York’s Solarize initiative is a collaboration between the state and local communities. Communities engaged in Solarize campaigns are able to simplify purchasing and obtain discounts for participants on solar projects. The initiative partners with interested residential and business communities to conduct joint purchasing agreements that help lower solar acquisition and consumer costs.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided a total of $365,000 in technical and marketing support for the 2015 Solarize campaigns. According to the governor, these campaigns saved participants a total of approximately $1.4 million on up-front purchase costs for solar, for an average of approximately $1,590 per residential or business project.

The next round of Solarize projects, beginning this spring, will be led by 12 municipalities, 18 not-for-profit organizations and a private entity working in association with a community group. Some of these new campaigns will participate in New York’s Affordable Solar program, announced by the governor this past fall, which doubles NY-Sun incentives for households earning less than 80% of the area or state median income. In addition, 13 applications are for Shared Renewable campaigns, which help provide solar and other clean energy opportunities for renters and other consumers unable to have solar on their roofs.

A list of current projects is available here.

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