ATHENS — The Village of Athens is partnering with Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Solstice Solar, to offer residents the opportunity to join a community solar farm.
According to the Solstice website, residents who sign up for the program will be allocated a portion of a shared solar farm that will produce clean energy on their behalf.
Mary Jackson, Content Marketing Manager at Solstice, said in an email that Athens residents would be placed on various Solstice run solar farms, and that the company has six solar farms that serve Central Hudson customers in the area.
The energy generated will be credited to participants’ electric bills, and that they could see a 10% decrease in the cost of their electricity.
“It’s a win-win-win situation,” said Village Trustee Josh Lipsman. “It’s good for the environment, and good for residents because they get a 10% reduction in their energy bill, and a sign on bonus.”
Lipsman said the village had previously attempted to partner with a different company, but that the company did not have enough availability for the village to publicize the partnership.
He added that the new partnership with Solstice is being done to help the village gain points toward grants from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and support their clean energy community designation.
“I was intrigued to look into community solar again because of the award, and I decided to move ahead,” he said.
Lipsman said that signups to the program would give the village enough points to be eligible for $20,000 from NYSERDA, as well as a $5,000 bonus for working with a community solar company.
“There’s a lot of things we could use it for, but we don’t plan on spending money we don’t have yet,” Lipsman said.
According to Lipsman, signups are not limited to residential customers, small business owners could use the program as well.
He added that the earlier people sign up for the program, the more likely they are to get a spot.
“It’s not limited to the number of people, but the kilowatt capacity of the farm,” he said.
Lipsman said that he was delighted for the program to be offered in Athens.
“As a trustee, it’s my responsibility to look after the interests of village residents, and this does,” he said.
More information on the program can be found on the Solstice website, or by calling the village office.