Twenty years ago, solar power grabbed the attention of consumers frustrated by decreasing supplies of oil and natural gas and encouraged by the lower cost of photovoltaic (PV) systems which convert sunshine into electricity.

Since the year 2000, worldwide growth of photovoltaics has averaged 40 percent per year, and now the Salina Town Board is thinking about taking the town solar.

At the board’s March 23 meeting, they heard from Chris Carrick, energy program manager for the CNY Regional Planning and Development Board.

Carrick reported that solar developers are actively approaching municipalities across the state with “very attractive deals.”

Carrick and the regional planning board are helping coordinate solar projects among local governments.

“Helping to make projects happen is the most exciting part of my job,” he told the councilors. “Salina represents a good opportunity.”

At no cost to the town, Carrick said his office would analyze data provided by town officials to determine energy usage levels and current costs.

Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority would offer free consultation, Carrick said.

“We’d like to proceed fairly quickly,” he said.

Supervisor Mark Nicotra recently met one-on-one with Carrick to get the ball rolling.

“In essence,” Nicotra said, “[Chris Carrick] is the middleman between the solar contractor and the town.”

Town Attorney Bob Ventre said similar projects have worked well in Oswego County towns such as Parish.

Carrick’s office coordinated 77 regional solar projects last year, saving an estimated 25 percent in energy costs, he said.

“So now we’re aiming to expand into a five-county target area,” Carrick said.

If Salina goes solar, Carrick said, the town could apply for a $2,500 grant and would save money by participating in Solarize CNY.

That Regional Planning and Development Board’s solar bulk-purchasing program is supported by the national Solar Roadmap Initiative.

Local residents and businesses could also receive discounts on solar energy projects from Solarize CNY, Carrick said, but just for a limited time.

“We’d like to town to permit rooftop systems, 12 kilowatts and smaller,” he said.

The International Energy Agency anticipates solar power to account for 27 percent of the worldwide energy market by 2050.