The nearly 8,000 solar panels rising above the landfill on Weibel Avenue in Saratoga Springs, are now soaking up the sun's rays while cutting the city energy bills by about $100,000 a year.

Michele Madigan, the city commissioner of finance, said the panels were activated on Aug. 22 and that the city's embrace of renewable energy will be celebrated with community ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

"It's a big deal," Madigan said. "Renewable energy is the way to go. People feel proud of the city when they see the panels; and I am thrilled to see the project come to fruition."

The effort to install a solar field began back in 2012 by Madigan and then deputy Lynn Bachner. It was a time-consuming process that included seeking approvals from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, applying for grants from NYSERDA and the finding a provider to build, maintain and operate the solar array.

Madigan said the installation of the array did not cost the city a penny. All of the funding for the project came from NYSERDA's NY-Sun program, an initiative to grow solar energy statewide, and from the Onyx, the city's chosen private provider. The energy Onyx creates goes to National Grid, which in turn gives the city a credit.

"Overall, it's a win for the city," Madigan said.

Clifton Park went through the same process. It's solar array of 3060 panels was powered in December 2016 and is expected to save $70,000 a year.

"It is providing us with another source of revenue that doesn't involve taxing residents," Supervisor Phil Barrett said. "It's a positive for the town."

Barrett also said the solar array "transformed a useless piece of property into a revenue generator for Clifton Park."

In Saratoga Springs, the installation of the solar array has inspired the city to take energy savings a step further. It has agreed to explore community choice aggregation, a program that allows municipalities to negotiate the cost of energy for its residents. The city has also chosen Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance (MEGA), a statewide organization, to act as its community choice aggregator.

MEGA will negotiate bulk electric rates for homeowners, with the intention of bringing down the overall cost. In order to proceed, MEGA needs 40,000 homes to participate. Right now, the city represents 10,000 households. MEGA is now seeking other municipalities like Clifton Park or Albany to join so it can officially begin bargaining with providers on behalf of city residents.

"There is no risk involved," Madigan said. "At the very least this project will offer the public an education about their energy use and bills. Throughout the state other municipalities have joined, but we are a leader in our region within the energy field. I expect others will join on quickly. This is an excellent program for residents."

The cost is zero to the city to be involved in community choice aggregation, but, Madigan said, there are several steps in the process before residents save. It includes educating the public, passing a local law and seeking a competitive bid process for energy.

"We want to be good citizens," Madigan said. "I will probably continue working on energy (especially renewable energy) related projects as long as I am commissioner. I find it fascinating and interesting."

Despite solar arrays popping up throughout the state, National Grid estimates that less than 1 percent of the energy it supplies comes from solar power. About 4 percent comes from wind. Spokesman Nate Stone said that 90 percent of the energy National Grid supplies comes from nuclear, hydro or natural gas.

"By 2030, the plan is to provide 50 percent of our energy from renewables," he said.

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