On April 7, 2021, the City of Rye, and the Towns of Rye and Rye Brook, launched an Earth Month Challenge & Community Energy Campaign to promote Community Solar, a renewable energy and energy efficiency program.

By participating, residents (renters and homeowners) and eligible organizations and businesses can:

  • lower their energy costs

  • reduce their carbon footprint

  • reduce their community’s reliance on fossil fuel-based energy

Community Solar costs nothing to join or cancel and includes the flexibility to use your current electricity supplier (e.g. ConEd or Westchester Power) -- all while saving money. Community Solar is available through Sustainable Westchester in partnership with the Rye Sustainability Committee.

Sign up for Community Solar at https://sustainablewestchester.org/solar/

how does community Solar work?

Most Westchester residents are unable to benefit from solar installations on their homes. Community Solar extends access to the benefits of solar energy to almost everyone - with no investment and no solar installation required.

Here’s how it works: Residents or businesses subscribe to a large solar installation located in their utility service territory. The energy produced by that solar farm is delivered to the electric grid and subscribers receive a credit on their electricity bill. That credit represents the value of their share of the energy produced. Subscribers then pay the owner of the solar farm a discounted amount for that solar credit, resulting in savings of up to 10% off their entire electricity bill.

A core offering from Sustainable Westchester, Community Solar is compatible with Sustainable Westchester’s Westchester Power (CCA) program, as well as other ESCOs, ConEdison, and a subscriber’s current utility. Residents can actually double their support for renewable energy by participating in both programs, while also benefiting from Community Solar savings. (Note: Residents who already have solar on their property are not eligible for Community Solar.)

Community Solar is regulated by the New York State Public Service Commission to ensure consumer protection. Its approach is integral to achieving the state’s ambitious climate goals, including more than doubling renewable energy production by 2030. The program is also an important component of the way in which NY State is meeting its environmental and climate justice mandates.

Con Edison customers can learn more and enroll at SustainableWestchester.org/Solar. The sign-up process takes minutes and requires submitting the 2nd page of a recent ConEd bill and setting up automated payments for the solar credits with a preferred credit card or bank account.

About Sustainable Westchester

Sustainable Westchester is a nonprofit consortium of Westchester County local municipalities facilitating effective collaboration resulting in sustainability initiatives and cutting-edge innovation. Their goal is to bring socially responsible, environmentally sound, and economically viable solutions that create resilient, healthy, vibrant, sustainable communities. For more information, visit www.SustainableWestchester.org.