Now open: public comment period on new NYSERDA green building program
Monday, December 28th, 2009The public comment period on NYSERDA’s proposed Green Residential Building Program is now open and runs through February 8. Review and comment on the program rules here.
From NYSERDA:
The New York State Green Residential Building Program (GRBP) will promote green design and building practices throughout New York State by offering incentives to Owners of newly constructed or substantially renovated green residential buildings of fewer than 12 units. A green residential building is a structure that incorporates design and construction practices that can lower energy costs and production of greenhouse gases, reduce waste and water use, and improve indoor air quality.
Posted in Energy, Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Housing, NYSERDA | Permalink
Green from the Inside Out – Downtown
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009| January 25, 2010 | ||
| 6:15 pm | to | 8:15 pm |
Posted in Education, Energy, Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Housing, New York City, Other Events, Photovoltaics, Recycling, Solar One, Solar One Events, Sustainability, Technology | Permalink
Special Announcement- Habitats for Artists Event Postponed Until Sunday
Friday, October 2nd, 2009Because the weather tomorrow looks like it migh be quite rainy, and the forecast for Sunday is perfect, we are postponing tomorrow’s Habitats for Artists event until Sunday October 4 starting at 10am. We hope to see you there!
For more info on the event, check out http://solar1.org/2009/09/28/habitats-for-artists-and-ecoartspace-at-solar-one/!
Posted in Art, Design, Green Building | Permalink
Habitats for Artists and EcoArtspace at Solar One
Monday, September 28th, 2009| October 3, 2009 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 6:00 pm |
On Saturday October 3, 2009, Solar One and EcoArtspace, one of the country’s foremost art organizations concentrating on ecological/environmental art, are pleased to present a day of workshops, discussions and performances about the artistic process, the environment, public vs. private space, as well as presentations from local artists engaged in environment-focused projects.
For much of this summer, sample “studios” from artist Simon Draper’s Habitats for Artists project have been displayed on the blacktop near the Solar 1 building on the East River south of 23rd St. Throughout our events season, the sheds have provided a community space for concessions, a bulletin board, a studio for artist Todd Betterley and a conversation piece for the many bicyclists, joggers, fishermen and kids who regularly visit Stuyvesant Cove Park. On October 3 from 10am-12pm, Simon will demonstrate how to build your very own artist habitat and answer questions about the future of the Habitats project.
From 1-4pm, performance artist Chere Krakovsky will bring the personal into the Habitat for Artists shed in her performance “Mothers and Daughters”, exploring how one generation offers its lessons to the next, both learned and unspoken.
In the first part of the performance Chere will honor her Eastern European grandmother by washing her laundry by hand in the way her grandmother did a century ago and will then hang it out to dry using the area around the habitat as backyard. Following this she has invited her 86 yr. old mother, Dorothy Krakovsky to join her teaching Chere to sew by hand, which she in turn was taught to do by Chere’s grandmother.
In this piece as in many of Krakovsky’s performance works, the everyday and the creative co-exist. The Habitat for Artist shed will serve as the home location for the everyday tasks of doing laundry and sewing. Others are invited to participate in the sewing lesson or share in conversation about what has been offered/handed down to them from their mothers. Chere, her mother and grandmother are three generations of artists. The artwork of mother, daughter and grandmother will fill the interior of the habitat for the duration of the performance. Krakovsky’s own relationship to the domestic has complex. Much of her performance work revolves around her ever-changing notions of home, its location and meaning. Women, domesticity, creativity and everyday tasks converge. She is also helping to raise awareness that before it is too late there is much to be learned from those who have gone before.
Following the performance, environmental artists will display and discuss the projects they are working on, participants TBD.
Events at Solar One will be followed by the opening of Down To Earth at the EcoArtpace NYC gallery at 53 Mercer st, 3rd Floor. Artists include: Joan Bankemper, Knox Cummin, Stacy Levy, Ann Rosenthal/Steffi Domike, Susan Leibovitz Steinman, Simon Draper and the Habitat for Artists Collective, including Todd Sargood, Cathy Lebowitz, E Odin Cathcart and Jeff Bailey, plus additional Contributing Artists:
Jacinto Astiazarán and Fritz Haeg, Lenore Malen & The New Society for Universal Harmony, Eve Mosher, Andrea Polli and Chuck Varga, Andrea Reynosa/Kevin Vertrees-SkyDog Projects and Christy Rupp
Posted in Art, Design, Green Building, Recycling, Solar One Events | Permalink
The Staten Island Enconomic and Development Corp’s First Annual Health and Environment Conference
Thursday, September 17th, 2009| September 24, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 am | to | 8:00 pm |
| 8:00 am | to | 8:00 pm |
Join the SIEDC and Solar1 on this fun filled day and learn how to live a happier, healthier and greener life in New York City!
The Staten Island Health and Environmental Conference 2009 will present the latest information on healthcare and environmental issues by industry experts and professionals, and is the first of its kind on Staten Island. The day long forum will consist of vending, seminars, panel discussions and keynote addresses. Free on-site medical screenings will also be provided! In addition, The Health and Environment Conference will demonstrate why a clean environment is important to a healthy lifestyle. Participants will also learn the latest ways to incorporate green practices into their businesses, homes and lifestyles and about the environmental impact of current practices.
WHEN: Thursday September 24th, 2009, 8:00am-8:00pm
WHERE: Hilton Garden Inn- Staten Island
For more information contact: SIEDC at 718-477-1400, or visit SIEDC.org
Posted in Green Building, NYSERDA, New York City, Other Events, Photovoltaics, Renewables, Solar One, Solar One Events, Solar Power, Technology | Permalink
Green from the Inside Out, plus Winter Networking Mixer *FULL*
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009| January 20, 2010 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 10:00 pm |
Tonight’s Event is full. Space is still available for the 1/25 Green From the Inside Out.
Solar One in partnership with the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education will be touring Green from the Inside Out, a three-part workshop on recycling, energy efficiency, and rooftop possibilities for multifamily buildings, throughout New York City.
These workshops are designed to give building owners, shareholders, and managers the tools, resources, and information they need to green their multifamily building. Look below for the workshop descriptions, to see the date and location of the next workshop, and to reserve your spot.
If you would like us to bring these workshops to your neighborhood, contact Celia Salgado at celia@solar1.org, or 212-505-6050.
A Survey of Solar Energy Roof Applications for NYC: Solar Thermal, Photovoltaics, Green Roofs and White Roofs
In this workshop Solar One will introduce, define and discuss the economic and quality of life implications of three solar rooftop applications that have considerable promise in the five borough area: solar thermal technology, photovoltaics and white roofs.
Navigating NYC’s Recycling Landscape
Hear about new recycling laws and old misconceptions. Find out how to avoid fines, improve your recycling program and get your tenants to recycle. Learn about other ways to reduce waste, recycle more and help make NYC a little greener. OROE is a program of the Council on the Environment of New York City.
Combating Rising Energy Costs with Energy Efficiency for Multifamily Buildings
Find out how to reduce fuel and utility costs while improving resident comfort and building performance. Solar One’s NYSERDA Energy $mart Communities Coordinator will present cost-effective ways for residential building owners and managers to make lighting, appliances, heating and cooling more energy efficient. Learn about the government and utility incentives that are available for your building, as well as the Community Preservation Corporation’s new Neighborhood Energy Loan Program that provides financing for retrofitting multi-family apartment buildings for energy efficiency.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 20
6:00pm to 8:30pm, plus post-event mixer!
WHERE: Central Park Arsenal
830 5th Avenue, Suite 318, NY
RSVP’s required. Send email to celia@solar1.org to RSVP.
And from 8:30-10:00pm we are hosting a special event! Only on this special evening we will be hosting a Winter Networking Mixer overlooking Central Park! Invite your clients and business partners to partake in this unique networking evening. Find out what’s going green, and who’s going green in the Upper East Side! Entrance is free and drinks can be purchased.
RSVP’d guests can arrive at 6:00 to speak with Vendors about products. Presentations will start at 6:30pm and run until 8:30pm. There will be breaks in between presentations to talk to Vendors.
Free! Refreshments will be served. Vendors will be available to answer any technical questions about energy audits, different roof applications, and recycling.
GREEN FROM THE INSIDE OUT is a product of Solar One, in partnership with the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education. This series was made possible by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Posted in Energy, Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Global Warming, Green Building, NYSERDA, New York City, Photovoltaics, Photovoltaics, Pollution, Recycling, Renewables, Solar One, Solar One Events, Solar Power, Sustainability, Waste, green roof, green roofs | Permalink
Some Great Reading for Going Solar
Friday, August 14th, 2009We’re always hearing from people who want to put solar panels on their warehouse/co-op/house/tiki huts, and we always try to point people to the wealth of resources and information that’s out there. But there always seems to be a dearth of solid case studies and testimonials, which is why it’s great to see Scientific American tackling the issue in a series of posts about installing solar and saving energy called 60-Second Solar. There’s great information there about the process, in addition to post about things like cool roofs, power purchase agreements and the other stuff that can make the layperson’s head spin. Yesterday’s installment might be particularly useful for those of us in urban settings as it tackles the subject of creating a solar power cooperative – essentially a group of neighbors who go in on a solar project together to maximize benefits and reduce costs. We’ve heard of this type of thing before with groups like 1BOG, but this post was packed full of interesting tidbits and useful lessons about the experience of trying to make it work (in this case the group was in Washington, D.C. but they could just as easily have been in Astoria or Park Slope). You should check out the entire post, but here’s some key points:
I figured we could get something going within a year. Boy, were we wrong. As we grappled with what was actually involved in making our dreams real, we spent two years climbing the solar power learning curve, and it was steep….
Amidst this welter of conflicting forces, our beautiful but innocent idea of neighborhood solar power was not enough. We needed expertise to give our project credibility with decision makers who could deliver real financial benefits for our members. So we scaled back our ambitions and started with smaller steps. We touted basic energy-efficiency measures to our members as the prerequisite for going solar. (Drafty windows and outdated appliances waste solar energy just as fast as they waste carbon energy!)….
From our experience, a solar cooperative has to educate and empower its members about the challenges of going solar, including:
- The costs and savings of a standard solar installation that will suit the needs of most members
- The relevant local regulations and permitting process for solar installations
- The federal tax credit for solar installation, as well as state and local incentives
- How to sell Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
- How to talk to a solar contractor
It’s an interesting story and a good lesson in how life in the real world can be lot more complex than our idealistic visions. That’s not to say we should all give up our dreams of a solar-powered future, but it’s going to take equal measures of persistence and patience to get there.
For more information on going solar in New York, check out our PV resource page, NYSERDA’s Power Naturally website and DSIRE’s list of available incentives for renewable energy and efficiency projects.
Posted in Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Links, Photovoltaics, Renewables, Solar One, Solar Power | Permalink
Green from the Ground Up
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009| May 11, 2009 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
In this workshop Solar One will introduce, define and discuss the economic and quality of life implications of three solar rooftop applications that have considerable promise in the five borough area: solar thermal technology, photovoltaics and white roofs. Note Location: University Settlement, 273 Bowery (at Houston)
6:00 PM - Navigating NYC’s Recycling Landscape
Recycling: it’s good for the city, benefits the planet and is required by law, but many find the reality of recycling challenging. How does your building’s program measure up and how can you improve your recycling performance?
Residential building managers, superintendents, board members and others will benefit from this presentation from the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education (OROE). Hear about new recycling laws and old misconceptions. Find out how to avoid fines, improve your recycling program and get your tenants to recycle. Learn about other ways to reduce waste, recycle more and help make NYC a little greener. OROE is a program of the Council on the Environment of New York City.
7:00 PM – Combating Rising Energy Costs with Energy Efficiency for Multifamily Buildings
Concerned about the increasing costs of energy in your building? Green from the Ground Up presents a workshop for Energy Efficiency in Buildings that offers tips on reducing your building’s energy use while making an environmental impact. Learn how to improve your building’s energy efficiency in lighting, appliances, and heating systems, thereby lowering your fuel and utility bills.
In this workshop, Solar One’s NYSERDA Energy $mart Communities Coordinator will discuss government incentives available for your building such as the Multifamily Performance Program, and weatherization programs. Vendors will be available to answer any technical questions, and to sign up your building for an energy audit.
8:00PM – A Survey of Solar Energy Roof Applications for NYC: Solar Thermal, Photovoltaics, Green Roofs and White Roofs
Over one million buildings make up New York City’s one of a kind built environment, and the nearly one billion square feet of largely vacant roofscape that mark its vertical border amount to what is perhaps our most underutilized asset. Our roofs have an enormous potential to accomodate clean solar energy applications and therefore to address a number of our most pressing local energy challenges, including the urban heat island effect, escalating household energy costs, power failure, growing carbon emissions, and poor air quality.
Posted in Education, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, NYSERDA, New York City, Other Events, Photovoltaics, Photovoltaics, Recycling, Renewables, Solar One Events, Solar Power, Sustainability, Waste, green roof, green roofs | Permalink
Go Green LES Earth Week 2009
Monday, April 20th, 2009| April 25, 2009 | ||
| 2:00 pm | to | 5:00 pm |
GO GREEN LES Allen Mall 6 Green Celebration
Saturday, April 25th, 2 p.m.
Allen Mall 6 (Enter at Allen and Rivington)
Come celebrate with Time’s Up! and GO GREEN LOWER EAST SIDE as we bring one of the malls on Allen Street to life the Saturday after Earth Day!
The DOT has a bike lane redesign in the works for Allen St and we’re excited by the potential for revitalization on the mall in the middle of Allen St.
Times Up! will be offering FREE Bike Repair Education, Helmet and Safety Checks, and FREE Seed Planting Workshops
Other activities and events include:
FREE Green Maps for all
FREE Energy Efficiency Assessments & Evaluations
FREE Green Jobs summer training for students
FREE CFL Bulb Giveaway
Also check out the Youth Photo Exhibit and Vision for the Mall and Avenue of the Immigrants Exhibit
Other Group Involved:
Solar One, NYSERDA Energy $mart Communities, Green Maps, Win Win Campaign, Hester Street Collaborative, Green Market, LES Boys and Girls Club, LES BID, EcoBizNYC, NYRP, AAFE, Manhattan CB3, NYC Parks and Recreation
Also With:
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, NYS Senator Tom Duane, NYS Senator Daniel Squadron, Councilmember Alan Gerson, Councilmember Rosie Mendez, Asseblymember Brian Kavanagh
Posted in Art, Green Building, Green Collar Jobs, NYSERDA, Recycling, Solar One Events, Sustainability | Permalink
NYSERDA Multifamily and Photovoltaic Incentives
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009| April 15, 2009 | ||
| 6:30 pm | to | 8:30 pm |
Looking to reduce your building’s energy use, and need resources to help? Join Energy $mart Communities Coordinator, Diana Pangestu, for a seminar on two of NYSERDA’s more popular incentive programs – the Multifamily Performance Program, and Photovoltaics Incentives. Find out the in’s and outs of each program, how much incentives are available, and how you can start saving money today. Get energy efficiency tips for your building and find out what government tax credits and incentives you may be eligible for. For more information, contact diana@solar1.org or 212-785-0734. Location: Solar One Building – 2420 FDR Drive, Service Road East.
Solar One is the contract implementer of the NYSERDA Downstate South Energy $mart Communities Program. For more information on NYSERDA programs, contact your local E$C Cordinator, or visit the websites:
www.getenergysmart.org www.nyserda.org www.powernaturally.org
Posted in Energy, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, Photovoltaics, Photovoltaics, Renewables, Solar One Events, Solar Power, Sustainability | Permalink
