NORWICH – A newly formed local organizations is reaching out to Chenango County residents in an effort to reduce the energy consumers carbon footprint.

Solarize Chenango, the local chapter of Solarize Southern Tier East (SSTE) is a grassroots community solar initiative that works in conjunction with Southern Tier Solar Works for Delaware, Otsego, Chenango, Broome and Tioga Counties. will be hosting an informational seminar to address questions relative to solar installations and educated community members in all aspects of solar energy.

Solarize Community Meeting is free and open to the public, and will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 at the Morrisville State College, Norwich Campus 20 Conkey Ave. Norwich.

According to organizers, SSTE's goal is to double the total amount of residential and small business solar Photo-Voltaic (VT) installations to date, and to leave the upstate New York market with a permanently increased rate of solar adoption.

The organization draws inspiration from multiple grassroots-driven solarize programs across the U.S., including those in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, our neighbors at Solar Tompkins, and New York pilot program initiated in 2014.

SSTE reduces barriers to solar by providing below-market pricing that decreases as more people enroll, a simple process with vetted technology and installation partners, and more than 30 educational events held throughout the region.