
In 2010, the New York City Solar America City Partnership announced three Solar Empowerment Zones. The Zones are areas where installing solar energy systems will provide the greatest benefits to New Yorkers and our electric distribution system. Home and building owners in the Solar Empowerment Zones who are interested in solar are encouraged to submit our Solar Inquiry Form to learn about special benefits available in the Zones and to access support from the Solar America City Team. Home and building owners in these areas are eligible for free data monitoring systems among other benefits.
The NYC Solar America City Partnership employs three solar Ombudsmen dedicated to supporting the implementation of solar in NYC. Through relationships with the Department of Buildings, NYSERDA, Con Edison and other players in the solar market, the Solar America City Partnership team is able to assist with inquiries related to permitting, incentive applications, grid interconnection, and market analysis.
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Downtown Brooklyn SEZGreenpoint-Gateway SEZStaten Island East SEZ |
Solar Empowerment Zone Benefits
These Zones are a step towards building the solar pipeline, a critical part of a clean energy infrastructure that can help America’s largest City achieve an independent energy future. Solar Inquiry Form
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Solar Empowerment Zone BackgroundThe NYC Solar Empowerment Zones are strategically selected geographical regions where solar power is most viable and beneficial from a technical standpoint, and where the Solar America City Partnership will focus its outreach and program development. An advisory group consisting of representatives from several NYC agencies, Consolidated Edison, the New York Department of Public Service, NYSERDA, and the New York Power Authority undertook a rigorous assessment process to select the Solar Empowerment Zones. Each of the three initial zones has a “day-peaking” energy usage profile that conforms closely to solar production. The three zones are also in need of capacity upgrades and/or demand reduction measures over the next few years in order to meet expected load growth. Finally, each of the zones has a significant amount of rooftop square footage to accommodate solar installations. Targeted solar power development in the three Zones could play a critical role in reducing peak demand while also potentially deferring or eliminating the need for costly upgrades to the electrical system that would increase electricity rates. |
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