NYC to Launch New Solar Program

Environment New York

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office announced Solarize NYC, a new solar incentive program. The new Solarize NYC program will allow communities — including neighborhoods, business districts and houses of worship among other affiliations— to join together to form single purchasing groups. This benefits communities by giving them greater buying power than individual entities, while encouraging solar developers to build out capacity and sell power to community groups. Groups can apply through a new website, nycsolarize.com. 

Heather Leibowitz, State Director of Environment New York released the following statement:

“We applaud Mayor Bill de Blasio for following through on his commitment to expand access to renewable energy in New York City. The Solarize NYC program will establish an innovative initiative that will empower renters, and millions of other New Yorkers, to choose solar as a clean energy option to power their lives.

“This program will provide customers with savings on their energy bill and bolster New York City’s clean energy economy, as well as allow individuals to realize significant social and environmental benefits from solar energy.

“As the effects of climate change are more and more evident across the country and the world every day—from Hurricane Sandy to the record drought in California—the need to move to clean energy becomes more and more pressing. The NYC Solarize program will help to lower New York City’s carbon emissions and speed our transition to a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable energy system. 

“By providing this incentive for solar energy, we are helping move New York City toward a future powered by 100 percent renewable energy, which should be our ultimate goal.”