Town of Tonawanda launches ‘Solarize Tonawanda’ campaign
kentonbee.com
Anna Walters
August 30, 2017
The Town of Tonawanda is helping to bring affordable installations of solar panels to residents through its “Solarize Tonawanda” campaign, which launched last week.
Using both outreach and education, the campaign helps potential solar customers choose a vetted solar installation company that officials say is offering competitive, transparent and discounted pricing.
“The Town of Tonawanda has been a leader in conducting renewable-energy projects and supporting private green-energy projects in the town for many years,” said Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger. “We are pleased to help town and village homeowners who are interested in solar power to acquire solar systems to generate their own electricity and save money,”
The program can help leverage group purchasing of solar installations between now and Nov. 24.
The campaign is being led by the Town of Tonawanda government with support from numerous community partners to make solar cheaper and easier for those who are interested.
The partners include National Grid, the Kenmore Tonawanda School District, Kenmore Teachers Association, Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce, Clean Air Coalition of Western New York, PUSH-Green, Tonawanda Environmental Commission and Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
“We are thrilled to be able to sponsor this program and to help residents who are interested in lowering their electric bills and being environmentally conscious at the same time,” said Town of Tonawanda Councilman Bill Conrad, who is also directing the campaign.
“The closure of the coal-fired Huntley electric plant in Tonawanda and our Solarize campaign offer the town a unique opportunity to pursue clean, renewable power production that helps our residents and the environment at the same time.”
“I encourage all of the residents of the Village of Kenmore who are interested in solar power and reducing their costs and carbon footprint to take advantage of ‘Solarize Tonawanda’ and the discounted pricing offered by the installers,” Kenmore Mayor Patrick Mang added.
Additionally, for residents who qualify, the town is making available federal Community Development Block Grant funds to help those interested install solar systems with no upfront costs and deferred loans, according to a press release.
“The program capitalizes on the purchasing power of a community and motivates residents by offering significant savings through a limited time bulk-purchase opportunity that also removes other common market barriers.”
“We continue to see many residents in Western New York and New York State pursuing solar systems to help reduce the cost of their electricity and to contribute to the state’s goals of clean and affordable energy solutions, and we are delighted to work with the Town of Tonawanda in this campaign,” said Nathan Rizzo, vice president of Solar Liberty.
The Solarize initiative is a component of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Clean Energy Communities Program, which offers financial incentives to people and entities that purchase and install solar panels through its NY-Sun initiative.
Two workshops will be held where residents can learn more about “Solarize Tonawanda” and connect with local solar-panel installers.
The first workshop will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, at the DFK Pavilion at Lincoln Park in the Town of Tonawanda.
The second workshop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Philip Sheridan Building, 3200 Elmwood Ave. in the Town of Tonawanda.
For more information on the campaign, visit www.SolarizeTonawanda.org.
