CHENANGO COUNTY – Beginning this spring, Solarize Chenango, a community initiative, will be bringing affordable solar power solutions to residents in Chenango County.

Solarize Chenango is a facet of Solarize the Southern Tier, a collaboration between Southern Tier Solar Works (STSW), a program of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition (BRSC), and local volunteers.

Chenango County volunteers will partner with volunteers in Broome, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga Counties to inform residents about the reality of solar power in this area of the state. This will be achieved through a series of informational meetings beginning in March or April of 2015. These meetings will provide information to homeowners on volume purchasing, tax incentives, and local, competitively selected, solar installers. The goal of Solarize is to educate the community, create familiarity with solar, and to make it easy for homeowners to complete affordable solar projects in a short period of time.

Paige Smith, Oxford resident and Solarize Chenango volunteer, said, “We are five counties trying to take advantage of NYSERDA rebates.” According to their website, “NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) is a public benefit corporation, offering objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975.”