Bright Power, Inc. and Tangent Energy International will design and install solar systems on 103 rooftops and parking lots at 8 developments, the first on NYCHA housing.
This program will provide clean, low-cost energy to low- to moderate-income residents throughout the city.
Solar partners are committed to create 28 new green infrastructure jobs for NYCHA residents.
NEW YORK – The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced today new partnerships with Bright Power, Inc. and Tangent Energy Solutions, Inc. to design and install up to a combined 6 megawatts of solar power on 103 rooftops and parking lots at 8 NYCHA developments. The solar installations, the first on NYCHA buildings, will contribute to the NextGeneration NYCHA Sustainability Agenda goal to provide 25 megawatts of solar power by 2025, the largest renewable commitment by a residential landlord in the country. Developers will pay NYCHA $3.5 million in lease payments over 20 years. The revenue from these installations will directly benefit residents at the developments where solar is installed. Construction is set to begin by early 2019, with completion later the same year.
“As NYCHA continues to implement its Sustainability Agenda, we will generate critical revenue, improve our residents’ quality of life, and protect NYCHA’s future for generations to come,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye. “These solar partners are a great example of how NextGeneration NYCHA is connecting residents to critical economic opportunities through effective partnerships.”
In order to access NYCHA sites, developers are required to hire NYCHA residents and to sell clean power at a low cost to low- and moderate-income customers. The selected developers project 28 new green construction jobs for NYCHA residents, including those who have graduated from the NYCHA Resident Training Academy.
The solar installations will be community solar gardens in which the electricity generated will belong to the projects’ customers, not to NYCHA. All New Yorkers within the electricity service area where the installations are located may become customers of the project. NYCHA is requiring that a portion of these subscribers be low-income New Yorkers and the two solar developers estimate that they will enroll 550-750 low-income households, including NYCHA residents and NYCHA Section 8 voucher holders who pay their own electric bills. Developers are projecting that customers will save 10 to 20 percent against the ConEd rate. These solar community gardens will be located at Queensbridge North, Queensbridge South, Pomonok, Beach 41st Street-Beach Channel Drive, Coney Island I Site 1B, Throggs Neck Addition, South Beach, and Gowanus.
Bright Power, Inc., a local firm with extensive experience developing solar on multifamily affordable housing in New York City, will develop solar at 27 Queensbridge North and Queensbridge South roofs. Bright Power will also create 10 new jobs as solar installers and two outreach associate positions for NYCHA residents citywide who are currently enrolled in, or are alumni of Green City Force. Its team also includes the firms Sol Purpose for financing and Solstice for customer outreach.
Twenty percent of the power created by the solar panels at Queensbridge will be provided to low- and moderate-income customers who will pay 10 to 20 percent less than the ConEd rate. Bright Power will pay NYCHA a yearly lease of $65,596.80 over 20 years, for a total of $1.3 million to be invested back into Queensbridge North and South.
“Bright Power is excited to be partnering with Sol Purpose, Solstice, Green City Force, and Solar One to deliver an exciting win-win-win-win for NYCHA, its residents and the planet, providing clean solar power, good jobs, revenue for NYCHA and lower electricity rates through this innovative community solar model,” said Jeffrey Perlman, Bright Power President & Founder.
“There is no issue more pressing today than saving our atmosphere and planet. That’s why I’m excited about this opportunity to help transform the energy grids of neighborhoods close to home that are too often neglected,” said Manhattan NYCHA Resident Pedro Castillo, a Bright Power Installation & Construction Team Member. “The sun powers our entire solar system, and soon it’ll power NYCHA and the whole world. Energizing our world, while providing green construction job opportunities for NYCHA residents is exactly what is needed! The economy will certainly be better off for it. Hopefully, this is a sign of greater things yet to come.”
Tangent Energy Solutions, Inc. will develop solar installations at Pomonok, Beach 41st Street, Coney Island I Site 1B, Throggs Neck Addition, South Beach, and Gowanus. Tangent has developed, financed, and/or constructed over 70 megawatts of solar power across the country and was recently awarded the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) solicitation for solar power development. Tangent will partner with altPOWER, a New York City-based solar installer, and Neighborhood Sun for customer outreach. They will create 16 one-year jobs for NYCHA residents, such as panel and racking installers.
Sixty percent of the power created by the solar panels at the six developments will be provided to low- and moderate-income customers who will pay 20 percent less than the ConEd rate. Tangent will pay a yearly lease of $112,227.5 over 20 years, for a total of $2.24 million that will be invested back into the six developments.
“Tangent Energy is honored to be one of the first distributed energy providers to be selected by NYCHA to develop rooftop solar arrays on their residential buildings,” said Andy Meserve, Vice President, Sales and Development of Tangent Energy. “I am especially gratified that this project with NYCHA builds on the success of previous solar projects and other ongoing DER initiatives between Tangent Energy and the City of New York.”
“Sustainable CUNY and our Solar Ombudsmen have pioneered New York’s processes of working with government and industry to support workforce development and broad scale deployment of solar,” said Tria Case, CUNY’s University Director of Sustainability and Energy Conservation. “We are proud to be leading New York City’s Community Shared Solar NYC program and supporting NYCHA’s Commercial Solar Program which represents an important step in opening our market to large-scale community solar projects.”
This project advances the goals outlined in the NextGeneration NYCHA Sustainability Agenda, which details the Authority’s 10-year commitment to improve resident well-being and operate as an effective and efficient landlord. Since the release of the agenda in April 2016, NYCHA has been working with government and private sector partners to provide better service for residents, improve energy efficiency, and curb the effects of climate change.
This project advances the goals outlined in the NextGeneration NYCHA Sustainability Agenda, which details the Authority’s 10-year commitment to improve resident well-being and operate as an effective and efficient landlord. Since the release of the agenda in April 2016, NYCHA has been working with government and private sector partners to provide better service for residents, improve energy efficiency, and curb the effects of climate change.
“This is exactly the type of job-creating, eco-friendly initiative that our City needs to continue on the path towards sustainability and economic growth for all,” said Congressmember Nydia Velázquez . “I applaud NYCHA and those involved for investing in solar power and harnessing its potential to benefit public housing residents and our planet.”
“NYCHA’s solar program will support clean energy, lower utility costs, and create jobs,” said Congressmember Daniel Donovan. “By investing in innovations of the future, we are building a more sustainable and resilient New York City for generations to come.”
“Renewable energies are our future, and I am thrilled that NYCHA is at the forefront of utilizing these new technologies,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “These solar installations, which represent the largest renewable commitment by a residential landlord in the country are the first step towards a more sustainable, and environmentally friendly NYCHA. I am thrilled that the project is starting at Queensbridge in my district, and I look forward to seeing the results.”
“NYCHA’s plan to install solar panels will save energy and money, which is good for the earth and good for residents,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. “Solar energy is a positive alternative to fossil fuel because it is renewable at absolutely no cost and the supply is infinite. Under those conditions, I would suggest that any savings resulting from the solar panels be used to address the many repairs and renovations that are needed at NYCHA buildings.”
“The installation of solar panels is a welcome addition for our Queensbridge community,” said Assemblymember Catherine Nolan. “I would like to thank Mayor de Blasio and the New York City Housing Authority for making the right investments in green technology which will ensure that our neighborhoods remain energy efficient in the years to come.”
“The installation of rooftop solar power at the Pomonok Houses is a huge step forward,” said Assemblymember Daniel Rosenthal. “By employing methods of responsible energy, we help the community move towards our environmental goals while creating good jobs for our residents. I look forward to maintaining conversation with Tangent on making this project an ongoing success.”
“The installation of solar panels at the Gowanus Houses and at NYCHA developments across the city will bring new sustainable energy sources to our city, while also generating funds for NYCHA developments. This project will provide green construction jobs for NYCHA residents and will help lower energy bills for its customers,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. “The developers will pay rent for the solar installations directly to the NYCHA developments on which they are sited, which will provide a much-needed revenue source to address the myriad of pressing repairs and infrastructure needs at the Gowanus Houses.”
“NYCHA is going Solar! Society is advancing with respect to technology and NYCHA is thinking ahead with this strategic partnership. This is a great opportunity to modernize NYCHA developments, while also educating residents on the use of clean Solar energy. 400,000 residents live in public housing, and all of them use electricity,” said Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel, Chair of the Council’s Public Housing Committee. “Transitioning to Solar energy can help reduce costs which could then be reallocated to issues that have been neglected for years and prepare residents for a new era focused on clean renewable energy.”
“Implementing solar power on our NYCHA developments will not only bring our entire city closer towards our goal of reducing emissions 80 percent by 2050, it will also ensure that low-income and public housing residents have the opportunity to benefit from these emissions reductions,” said Council Member Costa Constantinides, Chair of the Council’s Environmental Protection Committee. “I am also proud that this program will provide green jobs to local NYCHA residents to construct these solar systems.”
“Renewable energy is the future. The city should be doing everything possible to invest in and create opportunities for the expansion of renewable energy in every aspect of our City,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “I am pleased that we are advancing renewable energy production in Queensbridge and will always look for more opportunities to advance green energy around the City.”
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About NYCHA: About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) NYCHA’s mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. Almost 400,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s 325 public housing developments around the five boroughs, and another 196,000 receive subsidized rental assistance in private homes through the NYCHA-administered Section 8 Leased Housing Program. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/NYCHA and www.twitter.com/NYCHA.
Read the article in Solar Power World.