County planners tout perks of solarization to municipalities
NORWICH - The Chenango County is touting the perks of a community solar program that could change the way local municipalities power their facilities and, in turn, allow residents to do the same.
The county’s newly launched solar program allows towns to enroll their municipal buildings in a local community solar farm model, giving taxpayers a potential break on town utility bills. According to Chenango County Planning Director Shane Butler, towns could see as much as a 10 percent savings on electricity, in addition to a $100 enrollment bonus for every meter enrolled in locally sourced solar power.
The county would also receive grant opportunities from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and a $100 donation from Solstice, the company behind the community solar program.
Butler said this offer to municipalities extends on the same deals available to other local entities including homes, businesses and nonprofits who are eligible to enroll in the county’s solarize program.
“This is a program that’s really available to anyone,” he said, citing growing interest in solar among county residents. “A lot of people don’t have the land to put solar panels on their lawns, and they don’t have a roof facing the direction it needs to. This is a good alternative for someone to use someone else’s property to use solar.”
The Solstice model uses a three-phase approach to delivering solar energy. First, homeowners and other entities subscribe to a portion of a nearby solar farm that matches their energy use. Second, the solar farm transfers solar-generated energy straight to the power grid, making it available to be dispersed by utility companies. Third, that energy is sent into homes, businesses, nonprofits, or government buildings.
“Spreading access to clean energy is a natural extension of our work to keep our community healthy and sustainable for years to come,” Butler said. “We are excited to partner with Solstice and make a positive impact on our local environment.”
The Chenango County Planning Department partnered with Solstice earlier this year, the mission being to promote clean energy and reduce the impact of the local carbon footprint.
Solstice says the community solar offering gives subscribing households within Chenango County access to energy generated by a solar farm located in Norwich.
The county’s newly launched solar program allows towns to enroll their municipal buildings in a local community solar farm model, giving taxpayers a potential break on town utility bills. According to Chenango County Planning Director Shane Butler, towns could see as much as a 10 percent savings on electricity, in addition to a $100 enrollment bonus for every meter enrolled in locally sourced solar power.
The county would also receive grant opportunities from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and a $100 donation from Solstice, the company behind the community solar program.
Butler said this offer to municipalities extends on the same deals available to other local entities including homes, businesses and nonprofits who are eligible to enroll in the county’s solarize program.
“This is a program that’s really available to anyone,” he said, citing growing interest in solar among county residents. “A lot of people don’t have the land to put solar panels on their lawns, and they don’t have a roof facing the direction it needs to. This is a good alternative for someone to use someone else’s property to use solar.”
The Solstice model uses a three-phase approach to delivering solar energy. First, homeowners and other entities subscribe to a portion of a nearby solar farm that matches their energy use. Second, the solar farm transfers solar-generated energy straight to the power grid, making it available to be dispersed by utility companies. Third, that energy is sent into homes, businesses, nonprofits, or government buildings.
“Spreading access to clean energy is a natural extension of our work to keep our community healthy and sustainable for years to come,” Butler said. “We are excited to partner with Solstice and make a positive impact on our local environment.”
The Chenango County Planning Department partnered with Solstice earlier this year, the mission being to promote clean energy and reduce the impact of the local carbon footprint.
Solstice says the community solar offering gives subscribing households within Chenango County access to energy generated by a solar farm located in Norwich.
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