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 Solarize and Clean Heating and Cooling campaigns only, the applying jurisdiction must submit a completed Customer List (a template can be accessed in the Solarize toolkit at www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec) that includes the required number (see table below) of rooftop solar customers, Community Distributed Generation (CDG) customers, or customers installing Clean Heating and Cooling technologies including ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps, solar heating and cooling, or biomass. The Customer List must include the location, name of the installer, and either the date contract was signed, the date the project was installed, the date the installation was permitted, or the date the NY Sun or CH&C incentive application was submitted.
For Solar for All campaigns, a Customer List is not required. NYSERDA will independently verify 1) that the required number of customers have signed up or been placed on a wait list for Solar for All within the jurisdiction and 2) that these customers signed up after the date on which the applying jurisdiction began its campaign. Solar for All is only available for customers that pay the Systems Benefit Charge (SBC) on their electric bill and is not available on Long Island or in Municipal Utility communities
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 for rooftop solar only. 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. NYSERDA will verify Solar For All campaigns. 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.
Please direct all questions to communitysolar@nyserda.ny.gov.
Step 1: Determine your team and email NYSERDA
For Solarize and Clean Heating and Cooling campaigns only, the applying jurisdiction must submit a completed Customer List (a template can be accessed in the Solarize toolkit at www.nyserda.ny.gov/cec) that includes the required number (see table below) of rooftop solar customers, Community Distributed Generation (CDG) customers, or customers installing Clean Heating and Cooling technologies including ground source heat pumps, air source heat pumps, solar heating and cooling, or biomass. The Customer List must include the location, name of the installer, and either the date contract was signed, the date the project was installed, the date the installation was permitted, or the date the NY Sun or CH&C incentive application was submitted.
For Solar for All campaigns, a Customer List is not required. NYSERDA will independently verify 1) that the required number of customers have signed up or been placed on a wait list for Solar for All within the jurisdiction and 2) that these customers signed up after the date on which the applying jurisdiction began its campaign. Solar for All is only available for customers that pay the Systems Benefit Charge (SBC) on their electric bill and is not available on Long Island or in Municipal Utility communities
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 for rooftop solar only. 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. NYSERDA will verify Solar For All campaigns. 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.
Please direct all questions to communitysolar@nyserda.ny.gov.