Home
New York City is the city of dreams, and it shows with how much innovation and change that has happened over the years. It’s no different when it comes to trying to get majority of people to use clean energy. There’s a bunch of different programs and initiatives that are out there now that is pushing us to use more solar energy. One initiative is the public solar program, making solar energy more available to the everyday New Yorker, without a high barrier to entry.
If you live in New York City, you’ve probably heard a lot about solar energy by now. It’s no secret that we’re trying to reduce our carbon footprint and move towards cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. But for many people, the idea of getting solar panels on your home or business seems a little out of reach, sometimes it’s just not practical. That’s why this initiative exists, making solar energy more accessible to everyone, no matter where you live or how much you earn.
How Does the Public Solar Program Actually Work?
The public solar program works by letting New Yorkers take advantage of solar energy without having to get panels on their own roofs. Instead of putting them on your roof, you can join a community solar project. These are large solar systems installed on rooftops or other spaces around the city. You get the benefits of solar power, lower energy bills and cleaner energy, without having to do any of the work.
What is so great about this program is how simple it is. You sign up for a community solar project, and the energy produced by that project is applied to your utility bill. That’s it. There’s no appointments for installation, no equipment to buy. Just sign up and save. This is especially handy if you rent, don’t own a roof, or don’t know if you’re ready to fully go solar. But if you own your property and are 100% set on getting solar, then our team can help you get solar panels for your residential roof.
Why Should You Care About the Public Solar Program?
First off, it’s affordable. This program is really helpful with reducing your monthly costs, more specifically that electricity bill that is always high in NYC. If you choose to sign up, you’ll be able to not only save money, but also help out the environment by choosing clean energy. For many people, this program means money saved every month, and that’s a win in anyone’s book.
But it’s not just about saving cash. It’s about doing your part to fight climate change. This program was specifically created to help with one of NYC’s sustainability goal, more specifically, their goal of trying to get 600 MW of new solar energy over 8 years. The idea behind this program was to give low-income communities a chance to get solar energy, through the use of public financing. The public solar program is also helping make the city more green by allowing for more of us to use solar power, making us rely less on the grid and fossil fuels for getting our energy. And the best part is, you don’t have to do anything extra to make a difference. By simply signing up, you’re helping make New York a cleaner, greener place.
Getting Involved Is Easy
If you’re asking yourself, “This all sounds great, but how do I get involved?”, don’t worry. Getting involved in this program is simple. There are several websites that connect you with community solar projects in their neighborhood. Just sign up, and you’re good to go.
Once you’re signed up, the solar energy generated by the community project is credited to your utility bill. There’s no complex paperwork or installation at your end required. You’re basically subscribing to solar power, and in return, you get clean, renewable energy at a lower price.
For renters, small business owners, or anyone who doesn’t have a spot for solar panels, this program opens up solar energy to a whole new group of people.
What’s the Big Deal About Solar Energy Programs?
New York City is really working hard to try to reduce our carbon footprint. It makes sense since we have a big goal to reach, it being to cut our emissions by 80% by 2050. While this might seem nearly impossible, programs like the public solar program are going to play a big factor with helping us get there. By making solar energy more accessible, we’re are able to reduce our reliance on dirty energy sources like coal and natural gas. Solar energy helps reduce pollution and contributes to cleaner air. Plus, it’s a renewable resource, so it’s sustainable in the long run.
Another reason solar energy is such a big deal in New York is because it helps make the city’s power grid more resilient. With trying to achieve the goal of getting 600 MW through solar powered roofs in the next 8 years, this program was created to help us get there. With all the extreme weather we’ve been seeing, having local, distributed energy sources like solar is key to keeping things running smoothly when the grid is stressed. This program helps diversify the way we get power, making it more reliable, especially when things get tough.
Community Solar is About More Than Just Energy
One of the things we love most about this initiative, is how it’s more than just giving us a solution to a problem, it’s about supporting your community. The energy you’re using comes from local solar projects, meaning you’re supporting your neighborhood and your city. And it doesn’t stop there. This project in particular focuses on making sure that even lower-income or disadvantaged communities have the opportunity to contribute to solar energy, by making it more accessible and bringing down those barriers to entry. This makes it so that literally anyone that wants to get involved, can get involved.
What’s Next for Solar Energy Programs?
The public solar program is just the beginning. The city has big plans to expand the program, bringing more solar projects to more neighborhoods and making it easier for even more New Yorkers to join in. As the program grows, so does the amount of clean energy being produced in the city. And as more people participate, it will be easier to reach the city’s goal of a more sustainable future.