As a leader in climate action and to further its goals of creating a healthy, vibrant community, the Town of Mamaroneck is opening a significant community solar installation on its Hommocks Park Ice Rink at 140 Hommocks Road. The solar array on the Ice Rink is large enough to serve 75 to 100 local residents – renters and homeowners – and other eligible electric account holders such as houses of worship, local businesses, property managers, and nonprofits.
This opportunity is made possible in partnership with Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit consortium of Westchester County municipalities. Sustainable Westchester’s Community Solar program expands access to the benefits of solar energy to all Westchester residents – both renters and homeowners. Community Solar allows subscribers to enjoy savings of up to 10% on their electricity bills without the upfront expense of installing solar on their own homes.
In a first for Westchester County, the Town of Mamaroneck ensured that benefits of the Hommocks Community Solar farm were offered first to low- and moderate- income residents of the Town living in Hommocks Park Apartments and housing operated by the Washingtonville Housing Alliance. Participants in the Town of Mamaroneck’s Housing Voucher program are also eligible to join the Community Solar Program. The Town is now opening enrollment to all eligible residents and organizations in the Town of Mamaroneck and Villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont.
Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson noted, “This project is a great example of a creative sustainability effort resulting in energy savings for residents, revenue for the Town from leasing the Ice Rink roof, and tax benefits for the solar developer. Everyone benefits!”
Bill Zachary, partner at SunLight General Capital, the project’s solar developer said, “We’re here to support, execute and finance the Town’s decision to be renewable energy advocates and build solar on the roof of the Hommocks Park Ice Rink.”
Sustainable Westchester’s Executive Director Nina Orville noted, “We are proud to partner with the Town of Mamaroneck, a valued member of our organization, and with Sunlight General Capital on this initiative. We’re thrilled with the focus on providing community solar benefits to renters who have previously been excluded from participating in solar energy programs. Our proven outreach strategies deployed for other successful community solar projects will ensure that the Town meets its sustainability and community development objectives.”
All eligible Town of Mamaroneck, Village of Mamaroneck, and Village of Larchmont residents may enroll in this community solar project online: https://account.powermarket.io/hommocks.html or by contacting Sustainable Westchester at communitysolar@sustainablewestchester.org or 914-242-4725 ext. 112 (ext. 105 for Spanish speakers)
How Does Community Solar work? Community Solar enables people to subscribe to a large solar installation located in their utility area. Energy produced from the solar farm is sent to the electric grid and reported to the utility. The utility lowers each subscriber’s bill by placing a credit on it for that household’s share of the value of the solar energy. Subscribers then pay the owner of the solar farm a discounted amount for that solar credit.
The New York State Public Service Commission regulates community solar to ensure consumer protection. Community Solar is an important component of New York State’s environmental and climate justice mandates.
Subscribers to other successful Community Solar projects have been pleased with the benefits provided. Subscriber Sarah Suskin said, “We considered installing solar panels but due to our roof’s condition and heavy tree cover on our property, it was not the best option. The sign-up for community solar was quick and straightforward. The monthly savings is exactly what was projected and is a bonus on top of supporting renewable energy.“
Signing up takes just a few minutes and requires setting up automated payment for the solar credits.
