As Canton proceeds with its “Solarize Canton” initiative and Ogdensburg and other North Country communities are considering similar programs, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, a Democrat, is pushing for an extension and change to the existing federal solar investment tax credit to support jobs at solar companies

The solar investment tax credit is scheduled to phase down from a 30 percent credit to a 10 percent credit after 2016. Schumer is calling for changes to the solar investment tax credit’s eligibility rules, which do not allow business and developers who invest in solar systems to gain from the tax credit until the solar panels they install are “placed in service.”

Schumer said that current rules create uncertainty for customers because they are not guaranteed a tax credit until a project is completed. In contrast, businesses can take advantage of a major tax credit for wind energy soon after they begin construction of a wind project.

Canton was selected as one of 26 communities in the state to receive funding for the Community Solar NY program to bring clean and affordable solar power to their communities at discounted rates.

In addition to electricity generation, the Solarize Canton campaign will offer assessments and installs of solar thermal (hot water), for which there are incentives from the state as well.