In the three years since East Hampton Town launched its “Solarize East Hampton” program, 165 homes and businesses have been equipped with rooftop solar systems, with 63 completed in 2021 alone.
Cumulatively, the solar panels generate about 1.8 megawatts of power, which equates to the same amount of electricity consumed by 720 to 1,620 homes, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This clean energy exceeds the 1.1 megawatts produced at the Accabonac Solar Farm, demonstrating that individual rooftop installations can have a significant impact on the community’s production of renewable energy, according to a press release.
The town’s partnership with GreenLogic Energy streamlines the process for home and business owners to go solar, offering group rates below market prices. In addition to free solar energy assessments, tax credits, financing and discounts on the solar installation, owners who go solar can also save on utility costs, explained East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc.
“We installed solar panels on our roof through the town’s Solarize East Hampton program in 2018,” he said in a statement. “Since then, we have produced more electricity than we have used, and saved over $5,000.”
Installing solar electric panels can dramatically reduce not only electricity bills, but also carbon emissions, while bringing the town closer to reaching its 100-percent renewable energy goal. Once installed, a solar energy system powers the building and feeds excess electricity into the grid, receiving grid electricity as needed.
In addition to the Solarize campaign, the Energize East Hampton initiative includes free home energy assessments, green heating and cooling, energy storage, and other programs. Customers who are not ready to install their own solar array also have the option to subscribe to a community solar project on Long Island.
For more information, or to start the solar process, visit energizeeeh.org.
Staff Writer on Feb 8, 2022