Kendall town officials open to exploring solar energy

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 26 January 2016 at 12:00 am

KENDALL – Members of the Kendall Town Board will continue to research and discuss solar energy options for the town.

Councilman Bruce Newell reported last week on NYS Affordable Solar /Community Distributed Solar – programs the state hopes will make solar easier and more affordable through community-driven initiatives.

Newell said the town is looking at “improving the energy situation,” and explained that he took part in a webinar in mid-December on the topic.

“There are two different approaches to get solar better distributed,” he explained.

The first approach includes additional support for low-income installations – households most in need of electricity cost reductions. Under this approach there is “double the amount of financial support” for installing solar in homes by helping homeowners overcome roadblocks such as not having the capital upfront for installation, Newell said.

The second aspect supports community distributed generation of shared solar. Newell said state programs provide opportunities for renters, homeowners, low-income residents, schools and businesses to join together to set up shared solar projects.

In Kendall, for example, the fire department, post office, town hall and schools could band together for community-distributed generation, Newell explained. He noted there is also interest in solar energy on the county level.

Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata told Newell to continue his efforts exploring solar opportunities.

“Green energy continues to be a hot topic at the county, state and national level,” Cammarata said. “We’ve got be ahead of the game.”