Ampion Renewable Energy has been selected as the official community solar administrator for the Erie County Low Income Program for Sustainable Energy (ECLIPSE), a new initiative aimed at helping Erie County residents reduce their electricity costs while supporting renewable energy. In partnership with Erie County, Ampion will provide qualifying residents with up to 10% savings on their electricity bills through community solar. Eligible residents can enroll in the program through Ampion and receive discounted solar credits applied directly to their utility bills.
Community solar is a state-backed initiative that allows residents to subscribe to local solar farms, providing access to clean energy without needing to install solar panels on their properties. The ECLIPSE program is open to all Erie County homeowners and renters who are already receiving federal or state assistance, including the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Beyond the financial relief for low-income households, this collaboration plays a key role in increasing the amount of renewable energy available throughout upstate New York. As more solar energy capacity is developed, the National Grid and New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) service territories will see a rise in clean energy contributions. To ensure that residents are aware of and can take advantage of the program, Erie County will host in-person events and share information about ECLIPSE, making it easy for households to join and benefit from these cost-saving measures.
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, said, “Currently there are over 80,000 low-to-moderate income households in Erie County who can benefit from this program. We encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity. ECLIPSE Community Solar can be coupled with other programs like Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Empower+ to ensure households can afford their energy bills.”
Brian Buzby, Community Partnerships Executive at Ampion, stated, “Community solar makes renewable energy and savings available to electric utility customers without installations or upfront costs. Through ECLIPSE, Erie County and Ampion are making it easier for low-income residents to support solar energy while saving money. Our goal is to make the enrollment process as simple as possible. All you need is a copy of your current electric bill and proof that you’re benefitting from a government assistance program.”
Ampion’s impact in the community solar sector is already substantial. The company has helped its subscribers save over $42 million in electricity costs, facilitated by the generation of more than 2.2 billion kWh of clean energy from community solar projects under its management. Despite challenges in the clean energy industry, Ampion’s portfolio now exceeds 1.5 GW of solar capacity under management.
This growth translates into expanding opportunities for low-to-moderate income households to access affordable renewable energy and enjoy long-term savings. With the launch of ECLIPSE, Ampion Renewable Energy and Erie County are not only making renewable energy more accessible but also strengthening their commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and a cleaner future.
