SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The longer days of summer will save Schenectady County taxpayers more money on the County government’s electric bill thanks to solar panel arrays that have been installed on six County buildings under an agreement between the County and a Capital Region solar energy company.

Under the agreement between the County and Monolith Solar Associates, Schenectady County receives a 30-percent discount on all electricity produced by the solar panels, which were installed by Monolith at no cost to the County.

“We all enjoy sunny summertime weather, but for me and my colleagues on the County Legislature, long sunny days are especially nice because they increase our electric power savings,” said County Legislator Martin Finn, chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning.

The solar panel project is one of several Green Initiatives undertaken by Legislator Finn’s committee.

Monolith Solar Associates LLC., has installed 50 kilowatt solar systems on the County Recreation Center (Ice Rink) in Glenville, the Rotterdam Branch of the Schenectady County Library, the County Highway Department buildings on Keller Ave. in Rotterdam, and three systems on the County Business Center building on Albany St. in Schenectady.  Approvals are in place for two more installations and the company has agreed to install from four to six more systems.

According to Legislator Finn, the County expects to save $25,000 on electricity bills in 2013 and anticipates savings totaling $50,000 when the additional solar systems are installed.

“We’re pleased with the leadership that Schenectady County has shown through its solar energy initiative and we’re glad to be partnering with the County,” said Monolith Solar Associates CEO Mark Fobare, a Niskayuna native.

Monolith Solar Associates began installing the solar systems on County buildings in 2012.