Commercial solar firm Altus Power has formed a partnership with The Arc of Rensselaer County, a New York nonprofit advocating for the rights of individuals with an intellectual disability or developmental delay.

The partnership will provide expanded access to affordable and locally generated renewable energy to the nonprofit, while also providing support for the organization’s employees. Eligible employees, members, families, and supporters of the nonprofit will be able to subscribe to a local community solar project without any upfront investment or changes to their home’s architecture.

Further, the Stamford, Connecticut-based solar company says the program will operate under customers’ existing utility service.

“Community solar is available to renters and homeowners alike, which makes it one of the most accessible tools available for lowering soaring electric bills,” says Skylar Werde, head of community solar for Altus Power. “The Arc of Rensselaer County has spent 75 years building a more inclusive community and we’re glad this partnership can ease electricity costs for its employees, members and supporters while strengthening the fund that backs them up.”

Participants who complete program enrollment through The Arc’s program will also receive a sign-on bonus, according to Altus Power representatives. Altus will also donate $50 to The Arc’s Employee Emergency Fund for every completed enrollment, which can further help employees experiencing financial hardships.

With more than multiple gigawatts of installed generation capacity and a slew of supportive policy changes, New York currently leads the U.S. in community solar. Altus Power alone has more than 267 MW of operating assets in the state, serving more than 17,000 community solar subscribers.

The partnership was made possible with the assistance of Capital Energy Partners and John B. Hamor, according to Altus officials. The energy portfolio management firm helped connect The Arc with Altus Power.

Don Mullin, the CEO of The Arc of Rensselaer County, expressed his gratitude for Altus Power and Capital Energy Partners’ recent efforts.

“With the cost of living continuing to rise, we are proud to offer a program that helps people lower their energy bills while also supporting the employees,” he says. “This partnership not only provides savings for participants but also helps advance New York State’s clean energy goals.”

Altus Power currently has community and commercial solar installations across a group of 30 states, as well as Washington, D.C. The firm sports more than 1.4 GW of solar generation assets across Fortune 1000 firms, municipalities, schools, and the residential sector.

Tags: Altus Power, Community Solar, New York, partnership, project