On June 7, Solarize Cranston began signing up residents and business owners for the spring 2017 Round of the Solarize R.I. program. The program was created through a partnership between the Office of Energy Resources, Commerce RI and the non-profit marketing firm SmartPower to encourage adoption of solar using the power of a group buying and a grass-roots community outreach plan. Two community events for residents will be held this month:

Saturday, 6/17, 10 a.m. – noon: Solar Open House Event: 2 Houses located at: 1499 Narragansett Blvd. and 402 Auburn Rd. in Cranston.

Thursday, 6/29, 6:30 – 8 p.m.: Solar 101 Community Event: Cranston Senior Center, 1070 Cranston St., Cranston.

All events are free and open to the public. The Solarize RI website (www.solarizeri.com) offers residents event and program updates as well as an easy way to sign up for a free solar assessment for their home.

“I’m very proud to launch the Solarize RI program in Cranston and help provide our residents the opportunity to go solar at home with preferred rates.” commented Mayor Allan W. Fung. “The future is in solar, both for jobs and protecting the environment. As Mayor, I’ve been a big proponent of solar power in our city and supported changes to our zoning code to allow solar farms in larger-sized residential zones. Now that Cranston is a Solarize RI city, I urge our homeowners to take advantage of this program and join the effort to make Cranston the state’s alternative energy leader.”

After a rigorous review process, representatives from the City chose RGS Energy as the primary solar installer that will work with residents through the end of the program, which concludes on Sept. 8, 2017. RGS Energy is a Colorado headquartered solar installer with over 500 projects installed in the state, including 28 installations in Cranston. RGS Energy was the chosen installer for the Solarize Aquidneck and Barrington programs which resulted in over 100 contracts in 2016.

Solarize Rhode Island is a community-based outreach campaign that seeks to increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity in participating communities through a competitive tiered pricing structure that increases the savings for everyone as more home and business owners sign contracts. Now in its third year, Solarize Rhode Island, a partnership between the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER), the Commerce Corporation, and the non-profit marketing firm SmartPower, has led to more than 475 residents and business owners in 15 municipalities signing contracts for small-scale solar electricity systems. In addition to Rhode Island residents and businesses signing up for Solar, the campaign educates hundreds and even thousands more Rhode Islanders about the economic and environmental benefits of solar electricity, energy efficiency and other clean energy technologies.