News
April 11, 2019Solar Farms In Johnstown NY Reduce Electricity Costs For Over 500 Households
Common Energy today announced that over 500 households have enrolled to receive electricity from two community solar farms developed, owned, and operated by Kearsarge Energy in Johnstown NY. The renters and homeowners have subscribed through Common Energy under New York State’s community solar program, which allows residents to benefit from solar without installing panels on their home or property. These 500 households, and all households that enroll with Common Energy pay 10 percent less than the cost of electricity from utilities. The facilities – economically designed to use only 18 acres of underutilized land – were two of nine projects awarded contracts last December under the first round of the state’s Solar For All program which provides solar to low income households.
Together, the two Johnstown solar farms have over 11,000 industrial solar panels representing 4.8 MW of electricity generating capacity. The solar farms were developed by Common Energy’s partner, Kearsarge Energy, who continues to own and operate them. They will produce approximately 5.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.
Diana Wright, resident of Albany and founder of the grassroots organization, People of Albany United for Safe Energy, said, “Enrolling in Common Energy was easy. It was the best 5 minutes I ever spent to reduce my environmental footprint, and to make it even better, I am saving money at the same time”.
“New York State is providing an example of leadership for the nation,“ said Richard Keiser, CEO, Common Energy. “As the leading provider of community solar in New York State, Common Energy is pleased to partner with NYSERDA so that many more households in all parts of the state can save money on electricity.”
“500 households is an important milestone for the Johnstown solar farms,“ said Malcolm Bliss, Vice President of Partnerships, Common Energy. “We look forward to bringing lower-cost electricity from solar farms to households across the State to reduce household energy costs and avoid billions pounds of dangerous airborne pollutants.”
Administered by NYSERDA as part of Governor Cuomo’s $1 billion NY-Sun initiative, the Solar For All program is designed to provide no-cost community solar to 10,000 low-income homeowners and renters in support of the state’s ongoing efforts to make renewable energy more accessible to all New Yorkers. Solar For All offers eligible low-income households the opportunity to subscribe to a community solar project in their area without any upfront costs or participation fees. Through the Solar For All program, the two projects in Johnstown will reserve approximately 20 percent of project capacity, up to 1 megawatt each, for eligible homeowners and renters to subscribe under the Solar For All program. Eligibility for Solar For All is based on a resident’s location, household income, and annual electric usage.
For more information on Solar for All eligibility and to sign up, homeowners and renters are encouraged to visit: www.nyserda.ny.gov/solarforall. Residents who need help answering questions about Solar for All can email solarforall@nyserda.ny.gov or call 1-877-NYSMART. NYSERDA will launch a second round of the program later this
year, which will expand the number of households and areas served.
With solar farms in Johnstown and across the State, Common Energy serves more New York households with community
solar than any other organization. The company, which also provides community solar in selected states across the
nation, offers an industry-leading, easy enrollment process accessible from computer, tablet, or smart phone, and a
dedicated customer service center to ensure an outstanding enrollment experience. Homeowners and renters who pay
an electric bill can save 10 percent on the cost of electricity by enrolling via Common Energy’s website at
www.commonenergy.us.
