December ESCO & Community Solar Update

By Gerri Wiley, Energy Navigator and HeatSmart Volunteer

Note: To power your home with renewable energy, see the most recent Subscription Community Solar update and 100% Renewable Electricity update.

Happy December, Green Beings! 
Visit our Community Solar and 100% Renewable Electricity ESCO pages for the latest updates.

This month, let’s review why you, your family and friends, may wish to sign up for either or both options:
Why would you want to subscribe to a Community Solar Project?
1 - You’ll save money!
2 - You’ll green the grid.
3 - You’ll support local jobs.
What’s not to like here?!
For those who’ve purchased solar panels on your property or on a solar farm, that’s fantastic! Unfortunately, you can’t also subscribe to a community solar project as you electrify your home and car. However…do not fret! Consider a 100% renewable electricity ESCO to supplement your needs.
Why would you want to subscribe to a 100% Renewable Electricity ESCO?
1 - NYSEG’s default electricity purchase on our behalf consists of less than 19% renewables. The most recent NYGATS (New York Generation Attribution Tracking System) report, published November 22, 2019: 41% methane gas, 35% nuclear, 15% hydro, 4% coal, 3% wind, <1% solar, 1% other.
2 - During the shorter days of winter, your solar panels on your property or at a community solar project may not cover your entire electricity usage. Or perhaps you purchased solar panels before your electrified your heating system or purchased an electric vehicle and have insufficient space for additional solar panels to cover the increased electric usage. ESCO to the rescue!
3 - If you subscribe to a community solar project, your discount is off both NYSEG’s supply AND DELIVERY cost! If your electricity ESCO is included on your NYSEG bill, your community solar discount is applied to your ESCO.
4 - Yes, it personally feels good to go green, but NYSEG’s electricity sources have been essentially the same since 2006 LINK and unless we, the people, green the electricity grid, it’s not going to happen. Let’s do it!
Electricity ESCOs must meet the following criteria to appear on the chart:
-100% renewably-sourced electricity
-Produced in New York State, as documented by the most recent NYGATS report
-No substantive negative practices by the company
-12 month fixed rate or variable rate
-Fixed price (or 12 month average price for companies with variable rates) is less than one cent/kWh higher than NYSEG’s default 12 month average variable rate for its ‘traditional mix’
In summary, since I have my two front teeth, all I want for Christmas is for you to sign up for a 100% renewable electricity ESCO AND (if you have not purchased solar panels), subscribe to a Community Solar project. As Greta Thunberg would say, “Don’t listen to me…Listen to the science!”