Bedford Residents Save on Their Electric Bills & Increase Renewable Energy

Bedford Residents Save on Their Electric Bills & Increase Renewable Energy through SUSTAINABLE WESTCHESTER’S Community Solar 

Residents have been hearing about a new way to benefit from solar energy from their elected officials, social media, and from friends and neighbors. 

In partnership with the Town of Bedford and Bedford 2030, 200 town residents and organizations have enrolled in community solar through Sustainable Westchester. Sustainable Westchester’s Community Solar offers residents and organizations a way to save up to 10% on electricity bills, while spurring development of new solar farms and greening the electricity supply. These benefits are available without any solar panels on their property, and with no cost to participate. 

As a leader in climate action, the Town of Bedford was the first municipality in New York to participate as a Community Solar subscriber through Sustainable Westchester

Sustainable Westchester, a nonprofit consortium of member Westchester municipalities, has added to its portfolio of energy solutions for Westchester County communities.  For the first time, it is now providing community solar opportunities for all Westchester residents - both Con Ed and NYSEG customers - to subscribe to Sustainable Westchester’s Community Solar.

“We are thrilled that Community Solar has been such a resounding success in Bedford. Residents are saving on their electricity bills while promoting the development of solar-produced electricity. We are grateful to Sustainable Westchester for the superb work it’s doing to advance this program,” said Chris Burdick, Supervisor, Town of Bedford.

“Bedford 2030 is delighted that this collaborative effort with Sustainable Westchester, the Town and members of the Bedford community is addressing the urgent need for locally generated renewable energy in our region and in New York State. We are proud of our community for embracing this high-impact solution,” said Midge Iorio, Executive Director, Bedford 2030.

Nina Orville, Director of Solar Programs at Sustainable Westchester explains, “Community Solar is fully compatible with all of Sustainable Westchester’s other clean energy solutions, including our Westchester Power program that supplies electricity to participants. In fact, people who participate in Westchester Power’s Green Option and who enroll in community solar are doubling their positive environmental impact while benefiting from the guaranteed savings offered by Community Solar. The electricity supply is greened through the Westchester Power program and enrollment in Community Solar directly supports construction and operation of new solar installations as New York State has structured community solar, such that without subscribers, new community solar farms will not be built.” 

A community solar project enables people to subscribe to a large solar farm located in their utility area.  Energy produced from the solar farm is sent to the electric grid and subscribers receive a credit on their electricity bill representing their share of the value of that energy. Subscribers then pay the owner of the solar farm a discounted amount for that solar credit through auto debit from a bank account they designate – resulting in savings on their electricity bill of up to 10%. In Sustainable Westchester’s program, there is no cost to join or to cancel.         

The New York State Public Service Commission regulates community solar to ensure consumer protection and the approach is integral to achieving the state’s ambitious climate goals, including more than tripling solar energy production by 2025. 

While rooftop solar offers great benefits for homeowners who are eligible, the majority of Westchester residents are unable to participate. Community solar on the other hand enables almost everyone, including renters and those in shady homes, to have access to and benefit from solar installations. Current subscribers have been pleased with Community Solar and the benefits it provides.

 “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 and the communication between Con Edison and our community solar provider has been flawless.  The monthly savings is exactly what was projected and is a bonus on top of supporting renewable energy." Sarah Suskin- Community Solar Subscriber

For more information, and to enroll, residents can visit www.SustainableWestchester.org/Solar. Resident questions can be directed to 914-242-4725 x112 or email communitysolar@sustainablewestchester.org.