New York has long been a destination for visitors and locals alike to engage with the creative community. Art inspires us all to see the world in new ways, which is something that’s sorely needed if our world is to make the transition to a clean energy future.
SunCommon, based first in Rhinebeck and now Kingston, has deep roots in the region, and one way we’re supporting local arts in our state is by making solar more accessible to nonprofit organizations. Two examples are Wave Farm and Basilica Hudson.
Basilica Hudson shines brightly
Basilica Hudson, a nonprofit, multidisciplinary art center, welcomes over 20,000 visitors each season to music festivals, marketplace events, film screenings, an artist-in-residency program, public installations and other community gatherings.
Last year, the organization broke ground on the Basilica Net Zero Campus Project, aimed at transforming their reclaimed 1880s industrial campus into a leading carbon-neutral destination. The project will create dedicated space for climate action as well as opportunities for educational programming, green-workforce development and new public green space in Hudson. As Basilica's partner in renewable energy, SunCommon will be solarizing the remainder of the main building and campus this fall.
Light waves meet sound waves at Wave Farm
Wave Farm is a nonprofit pioneer of the Transmission Arts genre through their artist residency program, art installation park and listener-supported radio station. They provide access to transmission technologies and support artists and organizations engaging with media and the electromagnetic spectrum as an art form.
Since settling in Acra in 2004, Wave Farm intended to utilize solar power throughout their campus; it wasn’t until partnering with SunCommon in 2021 that they were able to make it happen. Along with performance-monitoring equipment, their new solar system consists of 108 solar panels, each rated at 450 watts, are capable of annually producing 58,870 kilowatt-hours of electricity – enough to displace energy use at Wave Farm’s Research Center and Broadcast Tower.
Making solar work for nonprofits
Federal incentives for solar have historically been in the form of tax credits, which means only for-profit businesses or individuals who pay taxes have been able to take advantage of this significant financial benefit. Without access to this incentive, solar is less accessible for nonprofits like arts institutions, churches or other philanthropic organizations that have not been eligible for tax credits. So, SunCommon developed financing strategies and partnerships allowing nonprofits like Wave Farm and Basilica Hudson to join the solar movement by helping to bridge the needed upfront cost, since the federal tax credit was not available to them.
Thanks to the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act, however, being unable to access federal incentives for solar is now a thing of the past for nonprofits. One of the provisions of the IRA establishes a way for nonprofits to have 30% of the cost of their system covered through a direct payment, instead of through a tax credit.
SunCommon has been tirelessly advocating for legislation that will allow more people, businesses and organizations to go solar. By breaking down financial barriers and making solar a smart financial investment for everyone, this kind of policy change is crucial to the future of our world’s energy transition.
SunCommon believes everyone has the right to a brighter future, and renewable energy is where it starts. With over 10,000 happy customers across New York and Vermont, SunCommon has the experience to transform your home, farm or business with solar products that are clean, efficient and built to last. If your nonprofit organization is thinking of going solar, we’ve got some bright ideas for you. Learn more at Suncommon, call us at 845-516-7014 or email us at solar@suncommon.com.