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Northern Dutchess Launches Solar Campaign

NORTHERN DUTCHESS, N.Y. -- For property owners who have been considering solar panels, the Solarize Northern Dutchess campaign is an opportunity to learn about the program, and to save money on solar installation.

The Solarize Northern Dutchess campaigns is now open and encourages projects that make solar more accessible for low- and moderate-income consumers.

The Solarize Northern Dutchess campaigns is now open and encourages projects that make solar more accessible for low- and moderate-income consumers.

 Photo Credit: New York State
K Reakes
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The program, which runs from March to June, will make investing in solar power easier and more affordable for local residents and businesses. Property owners will receive at least a 10 percent discount on signed contracts for solar through the program. 

The non-profit educational campaign is focused on five towns and two villages in northern Dutchess County: Red Hook, Milan, Rhinebeck, Hyde Park and Pleasant Valley and the villages of Red Hook and Tivoli. Village of Red Hook Mayor Ed Blundell says that his village has taken steps to smooth the way for solar adoption.

The campaign is a project of Northern Dutchess Alliance in partnership with Solarize Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountainkeeper. The goal of the three-year program is to make implementing solar easier and more affordable by supporting locally-organized community outreach. Through the program, solar installers Hudson Solar and Direct Energy can offer competitive pricing at a discount because they reach a critical mass of solar adopters through the program, which is run by volunteers.

Residents and businesses who sign up for site assessments by June 30, will be able to take advantage of group rates below market prices. The program also provides the benefits of New York State’s “Affordable Solar” plan, which expands access to solar energy to households most in need of electricity cost reductions.

It doubles the incentives provided by the NY-Sun program for households earning less than 80 percent of the median income in Dutchess County. This incentive lowers the total upfront cost of the solar installation for the homeowner. 

Upcoming Solarize Northern Dutchess Community Workshops: 

  • Red Hook, March 17, 6-7:30 p.m., Elmendorph Inn
  • Pleasant Valley, March 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Pleasant Valley Library
  • Tivoli, April 3, 3 p.m., Tivoli Library Milan
  •  May 7, 10-11:30 a.m., Milan Town Hall Hyde Park
  • April 21, 7-8:30 p.m., Staatsburg Library 

More information about Solarize Northern Dutchess can be found by visiting www.solarizeND.org.

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