For a Clean Green Future
Aurora Solar Savings Success!
The Town of Aurora is excited to announce our Community Solar Campaign was a huge success. We more than doubled our enrollment goal while also earning $55,000 in grants for additional renewable energy projects!
Aurora Solar Savings Benefits for
Resident Enrollees:
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Up to 10% off utility bills. This program is now full. However, new enrollees can sign up for a new project coming online in October of 2026 with a 5% savings on utility bills.
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A program for low income qualified residents is still open for savings up up to 20% of their utility bills.
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A "no gimmicks" plan- a partnership designed by NYS to bring reliable & renewable energy to all.
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No need for solar panels on roofs or property.
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Zero cost to join or cancel. No fees charged, only discounts.
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NYSEG remains the provider. Enrollees who have a solar or other renewable energy provider, are allowed to keep them and still receive up to 10% off their bill.
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No interruption in power no matter what the sun is doing.
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Program has benefited renters, churches, condo owners, & small businesses in addition to homeowners.
Starting with Phase 1 in 2025, 62 households and local organizations are now active on community solar projects. Across two of the primary projects serving Aurora residents, participants have collectively saved over $8.800 to date and offset more than 835,000 kWh of electricity with solar.
Based on current performance, those participants are projected to save roughly $13,500 per year. Household savings vary based on electricity usage, but most participants see consistent monthly savings once credits begin appearing on their NYSEG bills.
Phase 2 of the campaign, launched this past March, saw a boom in enrollment! An additional 311 households have completed the application process and 81 applications are pending. This represents the equivalent of 6.4 MW of solar energy and based on the current participant group, is
expected to translate to approximately $50,000–$70,000 in annual town-wide savings.
The current program is now full. However, pending and new enrollee applications will be routed to a new project expected to come online in October 2026 with an estimated 5% savings rate. A separate program for qualifying low income residents remains open with savings up to 20%.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is community solar? Instead of installing solar panels on your roof, you subscribe to a piece of a shared solar farm in our area. It costs you nothing to join, you save money on your utility bill, and you support the development of new solar energy projects in our area. Enjoy the benefits of solar energy without the hassle.
What does it cost? It costs nothing to join or cancel. The program aims to reduce your electricity costs by up to 10%.
How does it work? When you subscribe to a community solar project, you get a share of the energy generated by that solar project in the form of credits applied to your NYSEG bill. These credits are applied in proportion to your household usage and directly reduce your monthly energy costs. Savings of up to 10% will be directly applied to your electric bill each month.
Why should I join a community solar project? You should join a community solar project if you like saving money, love making a positive environmental impact, and want to participate in our transition to a sustainable energy system.
Who is PowerMarket? With over 80,000 members, over $10 million in savings provided to customers, and over 100 5-star customer reviews, PowerMarket manages the subscription process, connecting subscribers directly to solar projects, while handling all customer support.
Can renters and apartment dwellers also sign up? Yes! The whole reason why New York State created the community solar program was so folks that don’t own their roof can still benefit from clean energy. You can sign up if you are a renter/apartment dweller, or if you own your home.
Will participating impact my HEAP credits? No! There is no conflict between community solar and HEAP. In fact, New York State encourages those receiving HEAP to participate in community solar so that you can maximize benefits. You will just see additional electricity savings with community solar on top of your regular HEAP benefit.
Can I still sign up if I already have solar panels on my home? No, unfortunately the program doesn’t let you “double-dip,” so if you have rooftop solar, you won’t be eligible to participate in community solar.
Who can join? Renters, homeowners, small business operators, and places of worship are eligible. If your utility rate says residential, small non-residential, or religious, you should be able to join as long as you do not have solar panels installed on your property.
What's the catch? This sounds too good to be true. It is good! It's also true. I understand that when a program promises guaranteed savings with no risk, it naturally raises questions. But let me assure you, our partnership with PowerMarket is part of our commitment to bring reliable and beneficial programs to our residents.
Can I still sign up if I’m with an ESCO (Energy Services Company)? Yes. If you currently purchase your energy supply from a third-party supplier, nothing will conflict with that arrangement or any future ESCO agreement you may sign.
Para información en español, por favor llame al (877) 762-0507.