"SOLARIZE SYRACUSE" OFFERS SIMPLE AND AFFORDABLE SOLAR THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
July 28, 2014 SYRACUSE, NY -- Several local organizations have teamed up for an initiative called "Solarize Syracuse," that will encourage many more Syracuse area homeowners and businesses to go solar. Organizers will hold a press conference to launch the campaign at City Hall Commons Atrium, 201 E. Washington Street at 11:00am on Monday, July 28. Participants include: Chris Car- rick, CNY Regional Planning and Development Board; Kathleen Joy, Syracuse Common Councilor At Large; Sam Gordon, Town of Dewitt Director of Zoning and Planning; Justin Williams, CNY Solar.
The Solarize Syracuse strategy is to offer bulk discounts and streamlining to make the process easier than ever. Nine free community workshops, beginning July 31, will be held in different venues over the next two months to explain the process and help people enroll in the Solarize Syracuse program.
"Many people don't realize that even in Upstate New York, we have plenty of sun, to make solar a viable and economical energy choice," said Pete Wirth, a Fayetteville resident who had solar installed at his Fayetteville home in 2012, and is pleased with the results.
"With the Solarize Syracuse program, it will be easy for other homeowners and even businesses to switch to a clean, renewable energy source that's price competitive with what they might be paying for electricity now," he commented.
The 2014 Solarize Syracuse program is available for both residential and commercial buildings lo- cated in the City of Syracuse and within the towns of Manlius, Dewitt and Onondaga. Both direct purchase and leasing options are being offered.
"Solarize Syracuse is a great opportunity for local residents to be on the cutting edge of a new generation of clean energy technology," said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. "By aggregating buyers, the cost of home solar systems becomes even more affordable. Each new installation will help shrink the carbon footprint of the city, while adding to the overall resiliency of our grid. I am pleased to work with their leadership to expand this program so more Syracuse homeowners can participate."
Interested property owners can attend any of the nine free community workshops to enroll in the program. Qualified property owners will receive a free site assessment to determine the suitability of their property. If their sites are suitable, they will be able to purchase a solar installation at substan- tial cost savings from the local installer, CNY Solar, which was selected by Solarize Syracuse follow- ing a rigorous search and RFP process that evaluated potential vendors for cost, quality workman- ship, positive reputation and good employment and business practices. To take advantage of the bulk discounts, participants must sign a contract with the installer by September 30.
At the 9 free workshops, local community solar experts will explain how solar works, and answer questions to help residents decide whether solar energy is right for their home or business. The workshops will also cover information about state and federal tax credits, subsidies and low-interest financing available for reducing energy use and producing solar energy.
Attending one of these workshops is not a requirement for participation in this program, but is strongly encouraged. The kickoff workshop will be held at the Syracuse City Hall Commons Atrium on Thursday, July 31 from 6:00 - 7:30pm. Other workshops will be held in venues in vari- ous neighborhoods and towns within the geographic boundaries of the program.
"With the Solarize Syracuse program, the Syracuse area can make a decisive move toward a sustaina- ble future," said Chris Carrick, one of the Solarize Syracuse organizers. He added: "A similar pro- gram last year in nearby Tompkins County, resulted in contracts for 100 new solar installations." As the Energy Program Manager at Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board, Carrick works with not just Onondaga county but also Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, and Oswego.
The Solarize program is based on a successful model developed by residents of Portland, Oregon, the City of Portland, the U.S. Department of Energy (energytrust.org/library/reports/Solar- ize Guidebook 2011.pdf), and other community partners. In just the past few years, successful So- larize campaigns have spread from Oregon, to Washington State, and to Madison and Tompkins Counties in New York.
Solarize Syracuse is organized by Alliance for a Green Economy, Central New York Regional Plan- ning and Development Board, Frack Action, Greening USA, New York Interfaith Power and Light, Peace Action CNY and Syracuse Peace Council. Sponsoring organizations include EnergyWright, Partnership for Onondaga Creek, People for Animal Rights, and Syracuse Community Choir.
0 comments:
Post a Comment