FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2023
Mayor Noble Announces Launch of Kingston Community Solar Program
KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce the launch of Kingston Community Solar, with open enrollment for eligible City of Kingston residents.
The Kingston Community Solar program connects residents to a local solar farm, reducing their electricity costs through solar credits on their utility bills. The program, which is open to low-to-moderate income (LMI) and State-designated disadvantaged community (DAC) households, can result in an up to 15% savings on participants’ monthly electricity bills. Over 6,000 households in the City of Kingston, or 67% of the total households, are eligible to participate and encouraged to enroll in the program. Residents will be subscribed on a first come first served basis. Space is limited to approximately 550 households.
“We are thrilled to launch the Kingston Community Energy initiative, and to demonstrate what we can achieve when we work together as a community,” said Mayor Noble. “By making it easier for our residents to save money and support clean energy at the same time, we are actively taking positive steps for both our environment and our local economy. On the City level, our goal is to ensure that every resident has access to affordable, sustainable energy. We have over 500 spots available, but because space is limited, I encourage Kingston residents to take advantage of this innovative program before subscriptions are filled.”
The Kingston Community Solar program will connect residents to the Moores Hill Community Solar Project, a 3,750 KW solar farm in New Windsor, NY, currently being constructed by Lodestar Energy. Community solar credits will be applied directly to participants’ Central Hudson utility bills each month to offset their usage charges. Savings will begin in 2024, once the solar project is operational, and will continue for 20 years.
The Kingston Community Solar program is the first phase of Kingston Community Energy, the City’s Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) initiative. To implement this program, the City of Kingston has partnered with Mid-Hudson Energy Transition (MHET), a Kingston-based non-profit organization, which is serving as the City’s CCA Administrator, and PowerMarket, a leading community solar provider. MHET and PowerMarket will oversee community outreach, manage the enrollment process, and handle program administration.
“Mid-Hudson Energy Transition is proud to launch the first phase of Kingston Community Energy in collaboration with the City of Kingston. This marks a pivotal step in our mission to provide affordable, renewable energy to everyone, especially underserved communities,” said Jasmine Graham, Executive Director of MHET. “This initiative embodies our commitment to energy justice, resilience, and cooperation, marking a crucial step in building a thriving, inclusive future for the Hudson Valley.”
Enrollment in the Kingston Community Solar program is a simple and straightforward process. Residents interested in benefiting from clean, renewable energy and saving up to 15% on their electricity bills can visit the Kingston Community Solar website to find detailed information and an online enrollment form. A mailer with more details will be sent to approximately 6,000 eligible households within the next two weeks.
The City of Kingston will host two public information meetings to provide an overview of the program:
October 12, 2023
Kingston Library
55 Franklin Street
6:00-7:30pm
October 18, 2023
Virtual Information Session
6:30-7:30pm
Register here: http://bit.ly/kingstonsolar
Under the leadership of Mayor Steve Noble, Kingston has implemented various strategies and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, setting energy use reduction goals, and committing to 100% clean energy through the Kingston Climate Action Plan and 100% Renewable Energy Transition Roadmap. Kingston Community Energy is a central component that has the potential to greatly reduce the City’s carbon footprint. The program serves as a model for how local governments can make renewable energy accessible to all, benefiting residents and fostering economic development within the community.
By participating in Kingston Community Solar, residents are helping their city to earn grants and recognition through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities program, further strengthening Kingston’s environmental leadership. Kingston is a Silver-Certified Climate Smart Community and was the first city in New York to earn the NYSERDA Clean Energy Community designation.
More information on the Kingston Community Solar, including eligibility and registration can be found at: www.kingstoncommunityenergy.org/solar.