#GreeningTheGrid - May ESCO and Subscription Solar Update

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

By Gerri Wiley, HeatSmart volunteer and Energy Navigator

Is your electricity price per kilowatt-hour high right now? Look on the bottom of the last page of your electric bill to see your kWh rate. If you live in one of the following municipalities and a fixed rate of 5.71 cents per kWh through June 2023 sounds good to you, call Constellation at 833-866-9637 (24/7/365) and request their 100% renewable (hydroelectric) plan.

• City of Elmira
• Town of Horseheads
• Town of Lebanon
• Town of Union
• Village of Burdett

• Village of Delhi
• ​Village of Elmira Heights
• Village of Newark Valley
• Village of Oriskany Falls
• Village of Spencer

If you’re not fortunate to be a resident or small business in one of these municipalities, what can you do about high electricity rates that hover around 9 cents/kWh right now just for the supply, not delivery portion?  First and always – Seek ways to reduce your energy load, such as turning off whatever isn’t being used.

Please don’t be wooed by an ESCO with low variable rates.
A common practice is to hold the low price one to three months, then sharply increase it. The only ESCO offering a 100% renewable (wind/hydro) that does not engage in this unethical practice is Energy Coop of America. Yes, the price is more than you’d like to pay but it remains no more than 1.5 cents per kWh higher than the utility’s fossil-nuclear plan. View this month’s ESCO chart.

You can also view this month’s Subscription Solar chart. If you haven’t purchased solar panels, you can choose one of these companies and sign up to be on the waiting list.

Beyond ESCOs and Subscription Solar:
​A renewable electricity ESCO and/or subscription solar are 'market nudges', but frankly the market doesn’t need our nudges right now because demand exceeds supply. So the real need is decarbonizing our homes in order to accelerate our climate impact, reduce both indoor and outdoor pollution, and save money in the long-run.

To maximize our impact, the order of these four steps is important:

1. Get a free home energy audit to analyze any efficiency, safety, and health related issues.
2. Weatherize (insulation/sealing) your home to minimize your energy load in preparing to properly size your heating/cooling system.
3. Electrify your home heating/cooling with a ground-source heat pump system or air-source system, along with your water heating and clothes dryer (if needed). Consider an induction cooktop and electric vehicle (if needed).
4. Solarize your entire energy load onsite (or offsite if your home is not well-oriented to solar or if you have shade issues).

So again, the steps in order are: Analyze, Weatherize, Electrify, & Solarize.

I’m happy to help you learn more about each of these steps and hook you up with experienced auditors and installers or a Smart Energy Choices Advisor in your area. The best way to reach me is via email or call and leave a message to get back to you.