Solarize Hudson Valley is launching with a pilot in Kingston that will run from May 1 through September 12, 2015. It’s a community education and group purchasing program making it easier and more affordable to go solar now.
Come to our launch workshop and celebration this Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Keegan Ales, 20 St. James St. in Kingston. We’ll do a Solar 101 presentation plus lively introductions to our partners including Catskill Mountainkeeper, RUPCO, Courtney-Strong, the City of Kingston and NYSERDA, which is funding the program through Governor Cuomo’s NY-SUN initiative.
Installer partners Hudson Solar, New York State Solar Farm and Solar Generation will introduce their services, answer questions and sign up interested folks for the first site assessments right away. English and Spanish outreach materials will be unveiled (including art projects). We’ll have music from Lara Hope of the wonderful Gold-Hope duo + a demonstration site assessment of the Keegan building.
Open to households and small businesses alike, Solarize works through a tiered pricing system. The larger the pool of participants, the lower the price for all. It reduces confusion by bringing communities together with carefully selected installation firms that make a commitment to marketing investment and a sustained presence throughout the campaign. “Solar ambassadors,” who already have solar power, help by telling their stories and hosting home tours.
This strategy was born as a neighborhood experiment in Portland, Oregon, then grew into a systematic outreach strategy in Massachusetts and Connecticut through partnerships between those state energy agencies and outreach nonprofits like ours. It works by reducing hassle and confusion while giving people a reason to care. Solarize transforms your legwork and research from an intimidating science project into a fun social experience.
Watch for announcements on community workshops and events, starting with our first education session at the Kingston Library, Wednesday May 13 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
The first solar home tour in Solarize Kingston will be hosted June 6, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m by Emilie Hauser at 63 Highland Avenue.
