Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today announced the launch of the Albany County Inclusive Community Solar Partnership, inviting all local governments within Albany County to participate in this equity-focused initiative. Administered in partnership with Solarize Albany and PowerMarket, and supported by the Capital Region Clean Energy Hub, the program offers a turnkey, no-cost community solar campaign designed to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy across the county, with a focus on extending benefits to residents in state-designated Disadvantaged Community (DAC) areas.

"Today, we're extending an invitation to all local governments within Albany County to join us in this groundbreaking inclusive Community Solar Program," said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. "By participating, local governments can offer their residents a seamless path to clean energy adoption, all while positioning themselves to secure valuable NYSERDA grants. It's a win-win for both economic and environmental sustainability."

The program is specifically designed to align with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities Program, which recently added new funding specifically for successful community solar campaigns. Local governments that join this initiative could potentially secure substantial grant funding, further incentivizing the transition to renewable energy.

"We are excited to collaborate with Albany County and PowerMarket on this groundbreaking initiative," said William Reinhardt, Co-Director of Solarize Albany. "Our collaboration with Albany County and PowerMarket aims to simplify the process for local governments. We handle all aspects of the campaign, from planning and marketing to customer support, thereby making it easier for municipalities to promote clean energy."

The Inclusive Community Solar Partnership has two main benefits: it allows eligible residents to reduce their electricity costs and helps the environment by promoting sustainable energy. This program aligns with Albany County's ongoing efforts to create a more sustainable future for its community.

This initiative is specifically designed for Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) and Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) households within Albany County which includes areas with the City of Albany, City of Cohoes, City of Watervliet, Town of Bethlehem, Town of Colonie, and Village of Menands. To learn more, visit the NYSERDA Disadvantaged Communities Criteria web page, where you can also explore a map of DAC areas within Albany County.

To implement this innovative program, Albany County has partnered with Solarize Albany, a local non-profit organization, and PowerMarket, a leading community solar provider. Together, this partnership will oversee community outreach, manage the enrollment process, and handle program administration.

"PowerMarket is honored to collaborate with Albany County and Solarize Albany on this innovative partnership," said Brad Tito, Director of Community Energy at PowerMarket. "Our powerful technology platform, policy know-how, and wealth of experience make us a trusted partner for local governments aiming to set new benchmarks in environmental leadership."

Albany County strongly encourages its municipalities to take advantage of this unique and time-sensitive opportunity. For more information, please contact Brad Tito at brad.tito@powermarket.io.