ALBANY – Three municipalities in Ulster County have saved money in energy costs by relying on solar power, the state comptroller’s office said Thursday.

In an audit of the use of solar power in the towns of Woodstock and Rosendale and the Village of New Paltz, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office found that by installing solar panel electrical systems, the municipalities realized immediate savings in electric bills, and reduced environmental emissions.

The communities received financial and technical assistance in setting up their systems from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority.

With NYSERDA funding, it cost New Paltz $40,000 of local money to set up its solar power system; it cost Woodstock $14,700 to set up its system; and it cost Rosendale $19,500 to set up its system.

Over a 50 year period, the comptrollers’ office estimated the return on investment would be $30,700 in New Paltz, $104,685 in Woodstock, and $84,340 in Rosendale.

The audit also said over 50 years, pollution emission equivalents if traditional electricity was generated would amount to 400,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, 500 pounds of nitrogen dioxide and 2,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide.

In Woodstock and Rosendale, emissions equivalents would amount to 500,000 lbs. of CO2, 600 lbs. of N20, and 2,500 lbs. of SO2.