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Did you know that solar is the most cost-effective form of energy? As a community leader, you have the unique position to empower your community through clean energy initiatives. Whether you’re a municipal leader, sustainability advocate, or policy maker, here are practical strategies you can employ to help your local community benefit from clean energy.
1. Solar Power for Municipalities
The first strategy we’ll cover is choosing solar to power some or all of your town’s operations. There are numerous benefits and options for municipal solar power we’ll walk through.
Benefits of Solar for Municipalities:
GreenSpark has worked with several local municipalities across New York State to help them gain:
- Immediate and long-term savings through predictable, reduced energy expenses.
- Protection against volatile and unpredictable electricity rate hikes.
- Increased resiliency in the utility grid and environment.
- New funding and grant opportunities through programs like NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities and New York State’s Climate Smart Communities
Municipal Solar Options:
As a municipality, you have a few different options for securing solar energy:
- The first is leveraging municipal buildings. The Town of Irondequoit leveraged two municipal buildings, the Public Safety Building and the Town’s Department of Public Works, to install a solar energy system totaling 130.2 kW.
- The second is transforming unused municipal land. The Village of Brockport uses solar energy generated from a capped landfill installation to offset its electricity needs for multiple buildings, including its library, three fire stations, visitor’s center, Department of Public Works, municipal offices, police station, and several streetlights.
- The third option is to secure solar energy through a local land host. In this case, the municipality procures power generated through a local community solar project not owned by the municipality.
Through any of these options, you can invest in your community’s clean energy future and enjoy complete peace of mind with GreenSpark’s high-quality, low-maintenance installations and local support.
Leverage New York State’s Renewable Energy Programs for Municipalities
Several programs and incentives are available to municipalities exploring clean energy initiatives that not only make solar more accessible but also help empower your community. The most impactful include:
Federal Renewable Energy Incentives for Municipalities
The Inflation Reduction Act made tax-exempt entities, such as municipalities, eligible for the 30% Investment Tax Credit through a direct pay provision.
This renewable energy incentive is huge for tax-exempt and government organizations exploring a transition to solar.
New York Climate Smart Communities
Have you heard the term “climate smart communities” before but are unsure what it means? New York State’s Climate Smart Communities (CSC) program enables municipalities like yours to take action on clean energy initiatives with greater ease through grants, rebates, technical assistance, and more.
It starts by taking the CSC Pledge to register. Beyond registration, municipalities can become certified CSCs by completing and documenting a suite of actions that help their communities mitigate and adapt to climate change (going solar being one of them!)
New York Clean Energy Communities
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is one of the state’s biggest advocates for clean energy. One way they support solar development in New York State is through their Clean Energy Communities Program. Being a “clean energy community” means your municipality actively strives to create a healthy and sustainable environment by adopting and investing in future-focused clean energy solutions. Through the program, your community can access additional grant funding beyond federal incentives.
Discover stories of three New York towns that are advancing clean energy here.
2. Explore Community Solar Projects
Community solar projects offer an innovative solution for municipalities looking to expand renewable energy access.
Unlike traditional solar installations, community solar allows residents and businesses to share the benefits of a single solar farm without requiring rooftop panels on individual buildings. By participating, subscribers can lower their energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint while the municipality generates additional revenue or savings.
GreenSpark customer, the Town of Williamson, successfully implemented a community solar project that brought significant environmental and economic benefits to its residents. These projects also demonstrate leadership in sustainability, fostering a stronger, greener community for all.
3. Work Towards a Net-Zero Community
Achieving a net-zero town requires implementing solar-friendly policies and refining permitting processes to balance community interests with renewable energy growth. Here are specific actions municipalities can take to move toward this goal:
Adopt and refine solar policies & permitting processes:
- Support solar development with policies that protect community resources and ensure benefits for all stakeholders.
- Promote the use of renewable energy through incentives and public outreach.
- Implement a solar code with clear design standards to simplify the development pathway.
- Streamline permitting processes by following best practices from other successful municipalities.
Encourage solar development in optimal locations:
- Rooftops or parking lots of large commercial buildings make excellent locations for solar installations, as do previously disturbed sites such as landfills, brownfields, or other underutilized lands.
- When exploring the development of an agricultural area, it’s important to work with your developer to find the best economical and environmentally beneficial opportunity for solar and farming to co-exist. GreenSpark’s solar farms employ smart design and management to ensure agriculture and energy production can co-locate on the same property in ways that benefit both the community and a farming operation.
- Rooftops or parking lots of large commercial buildings make excellent locations for solar installations, as do previously disturbed sites such as landfills, brownfields, or other underutilized lands.
Leverage tools to maximize local benefits:
- Explore Host Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) that provide direct benefits to the municipality hosting the solar projects. A HCBA is a contract between a project developer and municipality which details the project’s commitment to provide pecific benefits to the local area—like hiring local workers, funding community projects, or supporting job training programs.
- Incorporate mechanisms to support agricultural conservation efforts while accommodating renewable energy projects, including code provisions that encourage solar grazing and agrivoltaic (dual use) installations or conservation easement commitments..
- Explore Host Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) that provide direct benefits to the municipality hosting the solar projects. A HCBA is a contract between a project developer and municipality which details the project’s commitment to provide pecific benefits to the local area—like hiring local workers, funding community projects, or supporting job training programs.
By taking these steps, municipalities can make meaningful progress toward sustainability and energy independence, paving the way for a net-zero future. As always, GreenSpark is here to support you in your initiatives.
4. Promote Clean Energy Education
Educating your community not only empowers residents to make informed decisions but also strengthens support for local clean energy initiatives. Here are ways you can foster clean energy education in your community.
Share Educational Resources:
- Provide materials on your municipality’s website, at the town hall, or in your local library.
- Topics to include:
- How solar works in New York.
- Understanding net metering and its benefits.
- Funding options and incentives that are available for residents and businesses.
Host an in-person community event: Organize workshops or open houses where residents can learn about clean energy benefits and ask questions.
Co-host a webinar with GreenSpark Solar: Partner with GreenSpark to provide expert-led discussions on solar energy, policies, and funding opportunities tailored for your community.
Take Next Steps
Ready to get expert guidance on implementing clean energy strategies for your town? Use the form below to contact our team, or check out our informational webinar for more insights.
