A SOLAR ENERGY FUTURE FOR STATEN ISLAND

Why Solar Energy?

Sunlight is an unlimited source of power, and more solar energy falls on the Bronx each day than could be used in a year. Solar electric panels, also known as photovoltaic or PV systems, convert sunlight directly into electricity. 

Within New York City, we generate most of our electricity from fossil fuel power plants. Recent studies have shown that local renewable energy sources could supply over a third of the City’s electricity within the next 20 years. Solar energy is the most abundant of the City’s renewable energy sources, and solar electric panels can be easily installed on New York City’s buildings. 

Switching from fossil fuel to solar energy development creates a broad range of benefits. As a reliable and emissions-free power source, solar energy lowers utility bills, reduces air pollution, and lowers the risk of blackouts. Solar energy investment also increases energy independence, generates jobs, and contributes to local economic development.

Solar Energy in New York City

New York City is already home to some of the world’s most innovative solar energy systems, but solar energy’s share of the City’s total energy use remains quite small. As of January 2007, there were 75 PV projects totaling approximately 1.46 megawatts (MW). These installations generated an estimated 0.002% of the city’s electricity supply. Solar energy is one of the world’s fastest growing energy sources, and if New York City’s solar energy market continues to grow at current rates, there could be between 14 MW and 54 MW installed in the city by 2015.

Solar Energy in Staten Island

Within Staten Island, there are currently two solar electric installations, with an installed capacity of 13 kilowatts (kW). These systems accounts for 0.8% of the City’s total installations. As can be seen in the graph below, Staten Island trails the other boroughs in the amount of solar electricity it has deployed. Staten Island’s first installation was not installed until 2005, and the second installation was completed in 2006.
 

PS 13, Rosebank

The solar system at PS 13 in Rosebank is the first solar electric system installed on Staten Island. The project was jointly funded by the Petroleum Overcharge Restitution fund, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services Office of Energy Conservation, and NYSERDA (using funds secured by the New York State Attorney General's Office).  The New York Power Authority, through the ENOCRE program, provided low cost financing and acted as the project manager on behalf of the City. The 7 kilowatt system, which is projected to generate 8,000 kilowatt-hours per year, was installed by ETM Solar Works in 2005. The performance of the system will be broadcast on a live web feed usable by teachers in their classrooms.
    

In 2005, the City University of New York set a goal of facilitating 500 solar energy systems in New York City by 2010 through the US Department of Energy’s Million Solar Roofs partnership. This report was made possible through financial support from the City University of New York’s Million Solar Roofs Initiative under US Department of Energy contract # DE-FG41-05R110989, the Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College, and from Solar New York.