Solar Panels, Community Solar, YSG Solar
May 17, 2020

Erie County, New York is a prime location for solar development. In fact, not long ago, Erie County was designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). With this level of commitment to renewable energy in the county, it’s no surprise that solar companies are eager to establish community solar projects for residents of Erie County.



How Does Erie County Community Solar Work?

A community solar project is a shared solar PV project which is open to multiple subscribers. This shared solar project is usually open to subscribers located within the same geographic area as the solar panel array itself. Community solar differs from conventional rooftop or ground-mounted solar as it allows subscribers to benefit from clean, renewable energy without the need to install solar panels on their own property. This is an exciting development in the solar sector, as it opens up the market to a far greater range of solar consumers. Those who wanted to go solar, but faced barriers to entry, have a new freedom with community solar. Subscribers receive bill credits, which are assigned to each subscriber in proportion to the energy generated by their share of the project. These bill credits are then applied to the utility bill, offsetting electricity costs.



To learn more about community solar, and how it can work for Erie County residents, check out our community solar FAQ, or watch the short video below.




Erie County Community Solar Eligibility

Generally speaking, if your utility rate falls under residential, non-residential, or religious, then you’re eligible to sign up for community solar in Erie County. Of course, it’s best to clarify this with an established solar company like YSG to avoid any confusion further down the road. Additionally, subscribers should reside in the same utility territory/”load zone” as the project itself. Again, a solar company will assist you in finding a community solar project which satisfies this geographic requirement.



The Benefits of Community Solar

For residents of Erie County, New York, a community solar subscription offers most of the same benefits as rooftop solar, with fewer barriers to entry, as well as the unique benefits of a subscription model.

 

  • No installation costs

  • Consistent utility bill savings

  • Greater availability with fewer barriers to entry

  • Reduced carbon footprint and a positive environmental impact

  • Flexible contracts with mechanisms for cancellation/transfer

  • No solar panel maintenance



If you live in Erie County, New York, and you want to sign up for community solar, contact YSG Solar today. YSG will help you to locate the ideal project and guide you through the entire subscription process to ensure you get maximum savings. Send us an email, or call at 212.389.9215 to get started.



YSG Solar is a project development vehicle responsible for commoditizing energy infrastructure projects. We work with long-term owners and operators to provide clean energy assets with stable, predictable cash flows. YSG's market focus is distributed generation and utility-scale projects located within North America.



By Shane Croghan

 

Sources:

https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Programs/NY-Sun/Solar-for-Your-Home/Community-Solar/Community-Solar-Map

https://www2.erie.gov/cleanenergy/

https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2019/11/18/139153/erie-county-designated-as-a-clean-energy-community