Our Community Solar Program Helps Communities

 

Our Hudson Valley communities raised more than $43,000 through our Giving Back Program.
 
 
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We want to empower communities to become energy independent through 100% renewable and local energy choice.

 

Our community solar program gives back to the community and enables participants who support clean energy generation to spend less on electricity. 

Participants save up on electricity by supporting renewable energy. We support your community by funding local sustainability efforts.

 

OUR GIVING BACK PROGRAM PROVIDES FOR A DIRECT INVESTMENT INTO YOUR COMMUNITY

OUR UNIQUE PROGRAM
We have established a community solar offering that gives back to communities that support clean energy generation. Not only do subscribers in participating municipalities receive guaranteed savings on electricity, we make a direct investment in their communities by helping fund local sustainability projects.

HOW IT'S POSSIBLE 
Solar farm developers typically have high customer acquisition costs. By enrolling customers as part of a municipally-endorsed community choice aggregation program, however, we can significantly reduce the sales and marketing budgets required to attract enough customers to make a solar farm project viable. By reducing costs, we’re able to channel savings back into the community.

FUNDING LOCAL PROJECTS
Funding has been used for various local projects, including sustainability efforts at local schools, a refrigerant management program, a "Walk & Bike Project," and more!
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HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED: Local Sustainability Projects

Our Hudson Valley communities raised more than $43,000. Here are just some of the ways the funds are being put to use:

 
PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY CHOSEN PROJECT
City of Beacon Local Schools
Town of Marbletown Local Walk & Bike Project
Rondout Valley Food Pantry COVID-19 Relief
Town of New Paltz The Family of New Paltz
Town of Philipstown Refrigerant Management Program
The Funds for all communities closed May 31, 2021.

Learn more about Marbletown’s COVID-19 Relief Fund

Learn more about New Paltz’s COVID-19 Relief Fund

 

BEACON

The City of Beacon decided to use their sustainability funds for the Beacon City School District (BCSD). BCSD plans to use the funds to become the first member of the Dutchess BOCES Center for Sustainability and Climate Education. The Center was established in 2020 as a dedicated resource to support sustainability and climate change work throughout school communities, providing leadership, professional development, strategic planning, curriculum design, development & evaluation, and student empowerment & engagement strategies. The sustainability funds will cover the Center’s membership fee and additional services. For more information about the Center for Sustainability and Climate Education, click here.

MARBLETOWN

In November 2019, the Town of Marbletown announced its intention to use the funds for local walk and bike projects as part of an effort to build a complete off-road connection between Stone Ridge and High Falls. Read the press release

PHILIPSTOWN

The Town of Philipstown is allocating the money toward a Refrigerant Management Program that will reduce leakage of greenhouse gases from air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, and cars by providing free or low-cost pick-up and proper disposal of old appliances and presenting community education on proper disposal of appliances and the availability of climate-friendly refrigerants.

Read the press release
Highlands Current article

 

GIVING BACK: Local COVID-19 Relief Efforts

 

In partnership with communities in the Hudson Valley, we’re doing our part to support local COVID-19 relief efforts!

 

MARBLETOWN SUPPORTS
THE RONDOUT VALLEY FOOD PANTRY

Marbletown and Joule Community Power are donating funds to local COVID-19 relief efforts through the Rondout Valley Food Pantry.

The RVFP’s mission is to provide nourishment, offer education, and advocate for those in need while treating all who seek assistance with dignity, respect and compassion. Founded in 1990, staffed entirely by volunteers, and supported by local businesses, civic and religious organizations, and dedicated individuals, RVFP serves families and individuals residing in the Rondout Valley School District.

 

TOWN OF NEW PALTZ SUPPORTS
THE FAMILY OF NEW PALTZ

The Town of New Paltz and Joule are donating funds to The Family of New Paltz

The Family of New Paltz provides confidential and fully accessible crisis intervention through shelters, emergency food pantries, domestic violence services, court advocates, counseling and case management services, hotlines, and childcare support.

 

OTHER LOCAL COVID-19 RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS

For our other Hudson Valley Community Power partners that choose to support local relief efforts but have not designated a specific organization to support, Joule donated funds to the Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley and Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan.