Solarize Westchester Round 2 Opportunity Nears End

The window of opportunity for residents of six Westchester communities to take advantage of the Solarize program is about to close. Solarize Westchester campaigns, designed to make it easy and affordable to install quality solar electric systems, are rapidly approaching their program deadlines in Hastings-Dobbs Ferry (deadline Feb. 29), Tarrytown (deadline Feb. 29), Rye Brook (deadline Mar. 7), and Somers-New Castle (deadline Mar. 7). These deadlines are for homeowners to sign contracts with the selected residential installers; the deadline for commercial property owners is mid-April.

Launched by the Governor Cuomo in December 2014, New York’s Solarize initiative is a collaboration between the State and local communities. Participants in these municipally-supported campaigns are enthusiastic about solar energy—and about saving on their electric bills. So far, the four Round 2 campaigns of Solarize Westchester combined have received over 1100 inquiries and requests for solar site visits, and over 120 contracts have been signed by homeowners, for a total of nearly one megawatt of solar electricity. Final results are expected to equal or exceed Round 1 campaigns, which were also extremely successful (with nearly 200 contracts signed for a total of 1.6 megawatts).

The Solarize program offers group discounts for quality solar electric systems through a pre-qualified, competitively selected installer, for a limited time. Interested residents in the communities where Solarize campaigns are under way can find information and request a free site evaluation on their community’s page at www.SolarizeWestchester.com. The selected residential and commercial installers for each Solarize campaign can be found there as well.

The campaign deadlines, designed to motivate action, are a key part of the Solarize model. Based on experience with Round 1 campaigns and similar Solarize campaigns across the nation, program administrators expect a huge demand as the deadline approaches and urge residents not to wait until the last minute.

“There has never been a better time to pursue solar power due to deep discounts through this program and federal and state incentives,” New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein said. “That is why I have personally made the decision to install a solar installation on my home.”

Federal tax credits, state tax credits and incentives, and the low Solarize pricing for quality systems mean this is an optimal time for people to install solar. Solar electric systems provide the opportunity to lock in low cost energy produced over the expected life of the system (at least 25 years). In addition, while solar systems increase the value of homes by an average of $4/watt (according to a recent study from the Department of Energy), thanks to New York State policies designed to encourage the installation of solar, there is a 15-year moratorium on increased tax assessments related to solar installations.

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About Solarize Westchester: Solarize Westchester is one of several clean energy programs offered by Energize NY. The program includes two rounds of Solarize campaigns, each with four pre-selected communities (or coalitions of communities). In addition, Solarize Westchester includes a Solar-friendly Permitting and Zoning component to help Westchester municipalities implement processes and regulations that encourage residential and commercial installations of solar energy systems in a manner that is safe and consistent with local and state construction codes and zoning rules. Solarize Westchester is a collaborative effort with the following partner organizations: Abundant Efficiency, Croton Energy Group, Pace University Land Use Law Center, SmartPower, and Sustainable Westchester. For more information, visit the Solarize Westchester website at www.solarizewestchester.com.