NEW YORK, March 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve newly
trained solar installers are placing panels on New York City
Housing Authority developments to provide clean power at discounted
rates for low- and moderate-income subscribers.
These workers, who are NYCHA residents from across the city, are
currently atop roofs at Glenwood Houses, a development in the
Flatlands area of Brooklyn. From
there, they'll move to Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood. They
already completed installation work at Carver Houses in northern
Manhattan.
The solar arrays at the three developments will be capable of
generating about 1 megawatt – that's 1 million watts – of
electricity.
At least 400 low- and moderate-income Con Edison customers will
benefit from this power, saving about $120 a year each on their electric bills. Lease
revenue from use of the roof space will go to the host NYCHA
developments.
"We are determined to build an inclusive clean energy future
with opportunities for all," said Tim
Cawley, chief executive officer of Con Edison. "Our
Community Power program is giving apprentice installers the chance
to develop a marketable skill in a growing field, while providing
low- and moderate-income customers with access to clean energy and
savings on their utility bills. Our customers across New York City and Westchester County are showing they want
access to solar energy and we want everyone to be included."
"We are proud to facilitate solar teams that connect NYCHA
residents to green careers, both in their communities and
throughout New York City," said
Vlada Kenniff, vice president for
Energy & Sustainability for NYCHA. "These partnerships provide
our residents with low-cost solar energy and a wider opportunity to
participate in the clean energy workforce."
Con Edison is working on the project with NYCHA and other
partners that have proven records of contributing to New York City's sustainability. The lead
partner, Solar One, provides training and education to make
sustainable energy and green jobs more accessible for all New
Yorkers.
"Community Power shows how public, utility, and
community partnerships can develop successful renewable energy
projects that provide good jobs and utility bill savings
to those who need it most," said Juan
Parra, director of Community Solar for Solar One. "This
model can be replicated with other public rooftops in NYC and
beyond. It's the Green New Deal in action."
Con Edison customers are invited to confirm their eligibility
and sign up to learn more at communitypower.nyc.
WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the Brooklyn Movement
Center are recruiting and screening prospective subscribers for the
project. That outreach focuses on residents of affordable housing
and those receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program.
Green City Force, WE ACT, and NYCHA recruited applicants for the
apprenticeships. The apprentices work for Accord Power, a
Queens-based solar installer and certified Minority Business
Enterprise. The project is financed by Sunwealth. The New York City
Community Energy Co-op will manage customer subscriptions.
"Green City Force is excited to be a part of this clean energy
project with our partners," said Tonya
Gayle, executive director. "This groundbreaking initiative
is providing affordable clean energy to low- and moderate-income
residents in Brooklyn and
Manhattan and addressing the gap
between disenfranchised communities and sustainable careers. This
project diversifies NYC's green workforce and will help achieve the
city's climate goals."
The customers will receive discounts on their electric bills in
return for paying a subscription fee. The customer will always
receive a net benefit or savings on their utility bill because the
subscription fee will be 20 percent less than the full dollar value
of the solar energy credits they receive.
Participating households will save money for the life of the
solar panels – which is expected to be about 25 years.
Sustainable CUNY provided technical assistance, using its
New York Solar Map (nysolarmap.com) to assess the solar potential
of NYCHA's rooftops.
"The City University of New York is
proud to support the implementation of NYCHA's solar program in our
ongoing collaborative effort with Con Edison and city officials to
provide clean renewable energy to the New
York Metropolitan area and help develop the 'green-collar'
workforce New York needs
now," said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos
Rodríguez. "Sustainable CUNY will continue the work of
unlocking the potential of NYC's solar energy market to help boost
our beloved city's post-Covid economy."
Con Edison encourages its customers to consider solar energy and
is making the installation process faster, easier, and less
expensive.
The company recently began offering solar installers and their
customers a device called Smart ConnectDER, which allows a customer
to avoid the cost of upgrading the home's circuit breaker panel and
excessive electrical boxes on the side of the house.
The device can save a solar customer upwards of $1,000 and is available following a successful
pilot program in 2019. Customers or installers who are interested
can send an e-mail to ConnectDer@coned.com.
Con Edison customers have completed more than 36,000 rooftop
projects with the capacity to produce more than 331 megawatts. Even
in 2020 – a year of unprecedented health, economic and logistical
challenges – Con Edison customers continued embracing solar energy,
adding 5,542 arrays that can produce up to 44 megawatts.
Through its Clean Energy Businesses, Con Edison Inc. is the
second largest solar producer in North
America and seventh largest in the world. Adding more solar
to the region's energy mix is part of Con Edison's Clean Energy
Commitment.
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc.
[NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy
companies, with approximately $12
billion in annual revenues and $63
billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural
gas and steam to 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, N.Y.
Quotes from Elected Leaders
Brooklyn Borough President Eric
Adams
"Our ongoing fight against climate change must
center on environmental justice, prioritizing underserved
communities that stand to be the most impacted by a warming planet.
The Community Power program is an example of environmental justice
in action, empowering NYCHA residents through jobs and discounted
clean energy. I thank Con Edison and their partners for this
partnership, and look forward to seeing the program expand to other
developments throughout the city."
NYS Senator Kevin Parker -
Chair, Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
"As the
chair of the Energy and Telecommunications committee, I applaud Con
Edison for working with NYCHA to provide cost-effective solar
energy and green-collar job opportunities for community residents.
We need to build upon this partnership to ensure that as our city
recovers, no New Yorker is left behind."
NYS Assembly Member Jaime Williams
"We welcome
environmentally friendly energy alternatives as we seek to ensure a
sustainable future for our city and region. Con Edison, NYCHA and
the other partners in this project are taking a significant step in
the right direction and New Yorkers will benefit."
City Council Member Alicka Ampry-Samuel - Chair, Committee on
Public Housing
"I appreciate when conversations turn into
action. The conversation about sustainability in communities with
high energy usage has been taking place for several years – this is
an excellent next step. This initiative prioritizes clean energy
and provides jobs at a time when both are sorely needed. I look
forward to seeing local residents work on this project, which will
further connect them to sustainability in their communities."
City Council Member Farah N. Louis
"With homes
transformed into classrooms and workspaces during the Covid-19
pandemic, public demand for reliable energy is rising. We cannot
leave families struggling to make rent, buy groceries, or pay their
bills, in the dark. The rollout plan to harness solar energy for
NYCHA developments will create stability, equity, and
sustainability among one of the hardest-hit populations. From solar
panels to green careers, the residents of the Glenwood Houses will
play a vital role in the recovery effort and lead our city towards
a brighter future."
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SOURCE Consolidated Edison Company of New York