First Community Solar Installation in Northern Westchester Launch

Montrose, NY — May 23, 2018:

Community solar - a new program that makes the benefits of solar energy available to all, including renters and homeowners with shady roofs - is now available in Westchester County! ConEd customers from Peekskill to Mount Pleasant, and Yorktown to Mount Kisco, who wish to save money on their utility bill while powering their homes with locally sourced solar energy can now visit www.westchestercommunitysolar.org to learn more and sign up. The first local community solar project, offered through non-profit Sustainable Westchester, was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting event at the manufacturing facility of Quality Circle Products, located in Montrose on April 20th.

Community solar allows utility customers to subscribe to a portion of the energy produced by a large solar installation located nearby and enjoy savings on their electric bill with local solar energy, all with no upfront costs. This program expands access to the benefits of solar energy. Linda Puglisi, Supervisor, Town of Cortlandt, commented; “Our Cortlandt community is dedicated to encouraging solar energy. Thank you to Sustainable Westchester's Community Solar Program, and congratulations to Quality Circle Products on this event and participation in this program.”

The first subscribers to the project are enthusiastic. Dani Glaser, a Croton resident and sustainability leader, noted that she had wanted to go solar through Solarize Croton but her shady home wasn’t a good candidate. “I was thrilled with the opportunity to subscribe to this program and benefit from everything that comes with it: financial savings and knowing that my energy is doing good for the world.”

Cathy and Roger Jacobsen, residents of the Town of Cortlandt also subscribed. Cathy, said, "We're happy to subscribe to community solar to support clean energy and save on our ConEd bill - all with no upfront cost. Solar on our home wasn't the right option for us so this is a great choice!"

At the ribbon-cutting event, Quality Circle Products president and building owner Gary Flaum, a committed advocate for renewable energy and environmental conservation, enthusiastically noted that, “Sustainable Westchester, our own county entity is the lead for bringing the consumer and the community solar provider together. This community solar project is pioneering. It is one of the first in New York State.” Community solar also maximizes financial benefits to property owners who host the installations. SunLight General Capital is the developer for the rooftop array, the first in Sustainable Westchester’s countywide community solar initiative.

Among the local businesspeople and dignitaries in attendance at the Quality Circle ribbon-cutting event were David Sandbank, Director NY-Sun, NYSERDA; Linda Puglisi, Supervisor, Town of Cortlandt; James F. Creighton, Councilman, Town of Cortlandt; Sandy Galef, State Assemblywoman, 95th District; and Catherine Borgia, County Legislator (Majority Leader), District 9. View the launch highlights at https://bit.ly/2IlPr5q!

“Solar energy is a fantastic option for many people, providing safe, affordable, and renewable power,” said Assemblywoman Sandy Galef. “I have supported many pieces of legislation in Albany to encourage usage of solar energy in residential and commercial properties. It is wonderful to see progress made in my district.”

Nina Orville, Founder and Principal of Abundant Efficiency, the administrator of the Solarize Westchester program, which is offered in conjunction with Sustainable Westchester, said, “Solarize has helped over 500 local homeowners and commercial property owners go solar but many more people would like to go solar and can’t. Community solar is for them – it allows almost everyone who pays a utility bill to benefit from, and support, solar energy. We’re thrilled to help bring this program to Westchester.”