Clean Energy Communities Program
Solarize
This page details the steps your community needs to take to get Clean Energy Communities certification for this Action Item by NYSERDA and how Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council (G/FLRPC) can assist you. As the Finger Lakes Region Clean Energy Coordinator, we are available to help you through any step in this process. Please email David Zorn at dave.zorn@gflrpc.org, or if you have been in touch with other regional Clean Energy Communities Coordinators, email them directly for help completing this action item.
Step 1: Determine your team and email NYSERDA
For a new Solarize Campaign, before you start the planning process, please let us know and please send an email to cec@nyserda.ny.us to ensure all NYSERDA requirements are met to earn credit for this action.
The Solarize Campaign will require a number of individuals to make it successful. You can combine your campaign with other communities nearby to create a larger campaign, but every municipality will still need 10 solar customers to sign up for a rooftop PV system. Your team should include, at minimum, people with knowledge of marketing, Photo voltaic systems and local government regulations. While the campaign doesn't need to be led by local government staff, the local government does need to be a partner and have a staff member participate.
Step 2: Attend a PV Trainers Network Workshop
To start the Solarize process, at least one member of your team must attend a PV Trainers Network Workshop. The Workshop is called "Introduction to Solarize: Stimulating Local Solar Market Growth". These Workshops are held across the state throughout the year. You can also choose to host a Workshop in your own community. You can find one located near you or request to host a training workshop through the following link: https://training.ny-sun.ny.gov/
These workshops are designed to give you an overview of the Solarize process, equip you with tools to run a successful Solarize campaign, and provide you with contacts for further assistance throughout the campaign.
Step 3: Complete and Submit the Solarize Campaign Scoping Document
The Scoping Document should be filled out and submitted for review to: cec@nyserda.ny.us.
Step 4: Do a Request for Proposals (RFP)
The Solarize RFP Template should be used to create your RFP. Your RFP will be used to select the installer or installers. The installer(s) will be expected to work with you on the campaign as well as install solar systems on participants houses or commercial buildings. In your RFP, you will select a final deadline for getting a minimum of 10 households signed up for installing solar.
Step 5: With your selected installer(s), run a 6-9 month campaign
The campaign is to be designed to provide more information to prospective home and business owners. You will need to detail all your proposed outreach activities in the Scoping Document. Outreach events will be designed to provide information and encourage people to sign up. You will need a minimum of 10 individual homeowners or business owners to sign up to have solar installed on their home or place of business.
Step 6: Submit final documentation
To qualify for this action item, you will need to submit your Scoping Document and a finalized customer list of at least 10 home/business owners who will have solar systems installed. These two documents should be submitted here: https://nyserda-site.secure.force.com/CEC_HighImpact_Action_Item_Document_Page. You can submit these documents before the solar systems are installed.
The 4th Round of Solarize is now open. Local governments, school districts, and other community partners can apply by submitting their Solarize application to communitysolar@nyserda.ny.gov by February 28th at 5 pm. The application and program eligibility requirements are posted on NYSERDA’s funding opportunities page.
For more instructions on how to apply, please join us on January 25th at 12 pm for an informational webinar. You can register for the webinar by visiting NY-Sun’s Solarize page.
Please direct all questions to communitysolar@nyserda.ny.gov.
Step 1: Determine your team and email NYSERDA
For a new Solarize Campaign, before you start the planning process, please let us know and please send an email to cec@nyserda.ny.us to ensure all NYSERDA requirements are met to earn credit for this action.
The Solarize Campaign will require a number of individuals to make it successful. You can combine your campaign with other communities nearby to create a larger campaign, but every municipality will still need 10 solar customers to sign up for a rooftop PV system. Your team should include, at minimum, people with knowledge of marketing, Photo voltaic systems and local government regulations. While the campaign doesn't need to be led by local government staff, the local government does need to be a partner and have a staff member participate.
Step 2: Attend a PV Trainers Network Workshop
To start the Solarize process, at least one member of your team must attend a PV Trainers Network Workshop. The Workshop is called "Introduction to Solarize: Stimulating Local Solar Market Growth". These Workshops are held across the state throughout the year. You can also choose to host a Workshop in your own community. You can find one located near you or request to host a training workshop through the following link: https://training.ny-sun.ny.gov/
These workshops are designed to give you an overview of the Solarize process, equip you with tools to run a successful Solarize campaign, and provide you with contacts for further assistance throughout the campaign.
Step 3: Complete and Submit the Solarize Campaign Scoping Document
The Scoping Document should be filled out and submitted for review to: cec@nyserda.ny.us.
Step 4: Do a Request for Proposals (RFP)
The Solarize RFP Template should be used to create your RFP. Your RFP will be used to select the installer or installers. The installer(s) will be expected to work with you on the campaign as well as install solar systems on participants houses or commercial buildings. In your RFP, you will select a final deadline for getting a minimum of 10 households signed up for installing solar.
Step 5: With your selected installer(s), run a 6-9 month campaign
The campaign is to be designed to provide more information to prospective home and business owners. You will need to detail all your proposed outreach activities in the Scoping Document. Outreach events will be designed to provide information and encourage people to sign up. You will need a minimum of 10 individual homeowners or business owners to sign up to have solar installed on their home or place of business.
Step 6: Submit final documentation
To qualify for this action item, you will need to submit your Scoping Document and a finalized customer list of at least 10 home/business owners who will have solar systems installed. These two documents should be submitted here: https://nyserda-site.secure.force.com/CEC_HighImpact_Action_Item_Document_Page. You can submit these documents before the solar systems are installed.
The 4th Round of Solarize is now open. Local governments, school districts, and other community partners can apply by submitting their Solarize application to communitysolar@nyserda.ny.gov by February 28th at 5 pm. The application and program eligibility requirements are posted on NYSERDA’s funding opportunities page.
For more instructions on how to apply, please join us on January 25th at 12 pm for an informational webinar. You can register for the webinar by visiting NY-Sun’s Solarize page.
Please direct all questions to communitysolar@nyserda.ny.gov.
