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Natural Awakenings Westchester / Putnam / Dutchess New York

Solar For All Program Assists Low-Income New Yorkers: Eligibility for Solar for All, which is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $1 billion NY-Sun program, is based on a resident’s location, household income and annual electric usage.

As part of its newly announced Solar For All program, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded contracts to four community solar projects in the Mid-Hudson region. This is the first in what will be a series of awards to provide access to no-cost community solar to 10,000 low-income New Yorkers.

Eligibility for Solar for All, which is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $1 billion NY-Sun program, is based on a resident’s location, household income and annual electric usage. Under the program, eligible households—typically homeowners and renters who don’t have ideal conditions to install solar panels at their location—can subscribe to a community solar project in their area without any upfront costs or participation fees. The energy is delivered through their regular electric provider, and the power produced from the community solar array is fed directly back to the electric grid. As a result, the grid is supplied with clean, renewable energy while subscribers get credit on their electric bills. Solar for All projects selected in the first round will serve approximately 7,000 low-income homeowners and renters who receive electric service from New York State Electric and Gas, National Grid, Central Hudson and Orange & Rockland. NYSERDA will launch a second round of the program this year, expanding the number of households and areas served by the program.

For more information on Solar for All eligibility and to sign up, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Community Energy at 845.677.8223.