RUPCO and the City of Kingston will host a solar installation workshop for homeowners meeting certain income standards. GRID Alternatives Tri-State, the nation’s largest nonprofit solar provider, headlines the workshop to be held September 9, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Ulster County Community Action, 70 Lindsley Avenue, Kingston. Rooftop solar can cut costs every month on electric bills, protect against rising electricity prices, and supplies a clean energy source that contributes to cleaner air for everyone.
In partnership with the City of Kingston and RUPCO, GRID Alternatives coordinates full service installation from start to finish. This program is specifically designed for eligible families living on low or fixed incomes, generally 80% of Ulster County’s Average Median Income (AMI). For a Kingston family of four, this income limit is $60,150. As Brenna L. Robinson, Director of the Office of Community Development explains, “We are thrilled to partner with RUPCO again, to provide yet another opportunity for Kingston’s residents to make their lives better. In addition to installing solar energy equipment, other improvements such as replacing old windows and doors, adding insulation, roof improvements, or new heating/cooling equipment can significantly increase their homes’ energy efficiency and that will keep money in their pockets to be used where they really need it.”
RUPCO secured a grant from NeighborWorks® America to provide matching funds towards GRID solar installs. NeighborWorks® provides matching funds of approximately $2,500 per installation to RUPCO for homeowners who meet eligibility criteria to work with GRID Alternatives’ solar project installations.RUPCO will help 10 Kingston residential households by providing matching funds for these solar installs.
Specifically, RUPCO is looking at two income-qualifying areas inside the city limits. In these areas, there are a total of 870 owner-occupied homes located in a large portion of downtown, as well as a very large portion of Midtown. Representatives from each organization will be on hand to answer homeowner questions.
“We frequently get questions like: how much can I save on my electric bill with solar? How do I apply for the solar program? Do I qualify?” notes Michael D’Arcy, Outreach Coordinator for RUPCO’s Green Jobs | Green New York Program. “We will answer these questions and many more on September 9th. Invite friends, family and others you think may qualify for our program. You can also bring your electric bills to get a jump start!” To learn more, call Michael D’Arcy at 845-331-2140 Ext: 267.
Since 2011, RUPCO, as an Independent Contractor to the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) actively markets Green Jobs | Green New York, to improve Home Performance with ENERGYSTAR® and all NYSERDA programs to educate homeowners, community leaders and the general public about the benefits of the program. This program serves 10 counties in the Mid-Hudson Valley, including Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Counties. The Green Jobs | Green New York Program covers 2,451,153 residents (12.7% of NYS Population) in 673 Zip Codes. In total, 43.6% of the homes in Kingston are owner occupied. As of April 30th, RUPCO has a total of 4800 residential referrals, 1302 completed Home Energy Performance audits, and over 364 customers approved for or have completed a residential energy upgrade or retrofit. Visit Green Jobs | Green New York for more information.