Round Two of New York Solar Campaign Targets Low-Income Consumers

Renters can pool their buying power and get treated like a bigger customer without the upfront costs.

Michael O'Malley at his home, one of only two houses in his Ditmas Park neighborhood to have solar panels, in Brooklyn, New York, on Aug. 3, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

NEW YORK—A second round of campaigns to advance Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to rebuild New York’s energy infrastructure with clean, affordable options, particularly solar power, is targeting projects in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.

In a Sept. 17 press release, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced open enrollment until Nov. 16 in the NY-Sun Community Solar New York program. The program allows renters, homeowners, low-income residents, schools, and businesses to join together to set up shared renewable energy projects.

Started in 2013, the $1 billion NY-Sun initiative helps to reduce the cost of installing solar electric systems (or photovoltaic systems) by encouraging groups of potential solar customers to apply together. 

Renters can pool their buying power and get treated like a bigger customer without the upfront costs.