FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, September 24, 2018
Windmill Farm and Craft Market Launches Support for Community Solar
The Windmill Farm and Craft Market
Contacts:
Steve Wilson
Operations Manager
The Windmill Farm and Craft Market
Penn Yan, NY
315-521-5513
stevew@thewindmill.com
Jeffrey Mayer
CEO
Solar Farms NY
Albany, NY
833-877-7652
jmayer@SolarFarmsNY.com
Penn Yan, NY, September 24, 2018 – One of the Finger Lakes’ largest outdoor farm and craft markets announced today the launch of its Clean Energy Partnership with Solar Farms NY, a leading developer of solar farms on the Southern Tier.
Under the partnership, the Windmill Farm and Craft Market will take advantage of an innovative community solar program that allows homes and businesses to support solar energy development without installing expensive rooftop panels. Solar Farms NY will soon generate solar power from two farms under development in Middlesex, Yates County, and 8 projects in Spencer in Tioga County.
Located on the shore of Keuka Lake between Penn Yan and Dundee in Yates County, the Windmill attracts 8,000-10,000 visitors each weekend from April through December. Started 31 years ago as a farmer’s market, the Windmill has expanded to over 175 vendors on 44 acres, offering a large variety of local farm fresh produce, unique shopping options, and craft items.
“As the premier farm and crafts market in upstate New York, clean energy and sustainability has long been our goal,” said Steve Wilson, Operations Manager of the Windmill. “We are delighted to support these solar farms which will not only increase the amount of renewable energy in the Finger Lakes region but has been projected to save us money if utility rates rise in the future. This will undoubtedly be the first step on our journey to becoming a better steward of our natural resources.”
Wilson stated the Windmill opted to take advantage of the rate cap plan offered by Solar Farms NY. The plan will protect the Windmill from any escalation in NYSEG prices while allowing its rates to decline if NYSEG rates decline. “Price protection allows us to enjoy the benefits of solar while also budgeting our total electricity costs for the next couple years,” Wilson said.
“Jeff Mayer personally visited me, thoughtfully explaining the program to ensure a seamless transition. We love the idea that we are helping to produce electricity with 100% New York sunshine,” Wilson added.
Solar Farms NY has begun development work on the solar farms and expects to complete construction and start producing electricity early in 2019. Electricity from the farms will be sold directly to NYSEG which will then apply monetary credits to the Windmill’s many utility bills.
As part of its clean energy partnership, guests of the Windmill’s vendors can also join the solar farms and receive a $50 VISA gift card by using the Windmill’s promotional code when they enroll.
“The Windmill has been an enthusiastic supporter of our solar farms,” said Jeffrey Mayer, CEO of Solar Farms NY. “We are looking forward to attracting additional members for our solar farms from their thousands of weekend customers,” he added.
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