CANTON -- Canton's Solarize campaign is kicking off at the Dairy Princess Festival Saturday, June 6. Look for their float in the parade and the Solarize Canton information table in the park during the day to learn more.

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.

The Solarize Canton kick-off will be followed by a door-to-door information campaign conducted by Canton Central School AP Environmental students as well as a series of information sessions conducted by the selected solar installers. Information will describe how you can save money on your electric bills, use clean energy and stabilize your annual electric costs. Homeowners and businesses will be able to sign up for an assessment. Solar installations in New York are currently very affordable because NYSERDA provides financial assistance and both the federal and state governments offer tax credits for solar projects.

Members of Canton's Solarize Committee worked with the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) to select solar installers via a formal proposal process where price, value and services were assessed. Canton will be working with two installers - Northern Lights Energy, based in Hermon and Apex, based in Queensbury - to ensure sufficient resources are available to meet the full potential demand for installations through Solarize Canton. The campaign will also offer assessments and installs of solar thermal (hot water), for which there are incentives from the state as well. Lease options are also available.

Information sessions will be held Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Canton Free Library and Thursday, June 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 3 1/2 East Main St. Representatives from the two installation firms and Canton Solarize Committee members will be on hand for both.

In addition, there will be an informational meeting for those interested in commercial installations at the Canton Merchants Association meeting on Wednesday, June 10, at 9:30 a.m. in the Grasse River Heritage Room at One Rushton Place.

Tours of existing home solar installations are being planned as well. The Solarize Canton website will be launched for the June 6 kickoff. Info: www.solarizecanton.com.