Onondaga County participating in state’s Solar for All program

ALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. — Some areas of Onondaga County are participating in Solar for All, a New York program that helps “reduce the energy burden of low-income households.”

The Solar for All program is available in the towns of Elbridge, Marcellus, Spafford and parts of Van Buren, Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon II said in a Monday news release.

Plans to cover the rest of Onondaga County are “in the works and may be complete by the end of 2019.”

McMahon discussed the program during a Monday visit to the Canton Woods Senior Center in Baldwinsville.

Onondaga County is encouraging income-eligible residents to apply to receive a no cost, community-solar subscription that will help lower their energy costs.

“In order to be economically competitive, our community must be able to provide reliable power to our local businesses and homeowners. Being able to do so in a clean and environmentally friendly way is even better.” McMahon said in the release. “Whether it be our infrastructure below or above ground, Onondaga County stands ready to partner with anyone who recognizes the potential of our community and willing to make strategic investments. Thank you to NYSERDA for bringing this important program to our community.”

About Solar for All

Administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Solar for All provides access to no cost, community solar subscriptions for eligible low-income households “without any upfront costs or participation fees,” per the release.

The community solar project program also fills a void for homeowners and renters who want access to solar power, but may not have “ideal conditions” at their individual properties.

Energy is still delivered through their regular electric provider while 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.

Residents can learn more about the program during a workshop that’s set for 6 p.m. on April 24 at the Elbridge Free Library at 241 E. Main St. in Elbridge.

NYSERDA administers Solar for All under NY-Sun, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $1 billion initiative to “advance the scale-up of solar and move the state closer to having a sustainable, self-sufficient solar industry,” per the Onondaga County release.

Since 2011, solar projects in New York have increased more than 1,500 percent and leveraged nearly $3.5 billion in private investments. Nearly 12,000 people work in solar jobs across New York, the release stated.

Residents can sign up directly by visiting nyserda.ny.gov/solarforall, requesting a paper application by emailing solarforall@nyserda.ny.gov, or calling 1-877-NYSMART, Onondaga County said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com