EmPower New York services are provided free to households earning 60 percent or less of the statewide median income (HEAP eligible). Services include high-efficiency lighting, replacement of inefficient refrigerators and freezers with new ENERGY STAR® qualified models, heating system upgrades, insulation and air sealing, and health and safety testing to ensure the home is properly ventilated and gases are not escaping into the living space. To ensure quality, all EmPower New York services are provided by Building Performance Institute (BPI)-accredited contractors, and the work is reviewed to make sure it has been done correctly.

Applicants may apply directly or be referred to the program by participating utilities, local Offices for the Aging and Weatherization Agencies. Energy efficiency services are prioritized based on the potential for cost-effective energy usage reduction. For additional information call 1-800-263-0960 or request an application online. For more information on all NYSERDA programs, call the Energy $mart Communities Coordinator at 212-785-0734.

Read the complete NYSERDA Announcement

How can smart co-ops and condos turn pressure to “go green” into an opportunity to reduce costs and comply with new codes?

Solar One and the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums (CNYC) are hosting another Intro to Green workshop for co-ops and condos at 7:00pm on October 13. This two-hour workshop will present cost-effective ways to reduce energy expenses and have a healthier, greener building; details on the NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program for energy efficiency retrofits and financing; an overview of new green laws and code changes; and strategies for engaging owners in the greening process.

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2011
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: New York Society for Ethical Culture
2 W. 64th Street, New York, NY 10023
Register

If your building wants to go green but doesn’t know where to start, this is the workshop for you. We hope to see you there! See below for how to register, or check out the Intro to Green website to learn more. Pre-registration is required due to limited space.

This workshop is free for residents of CNYC member buildings. If your building is a CNYC member, please register by contacting CNYC at (212) 496-7400 or info@cnyc.coop. For questions about the workshop, call Solar One at (212) 785-0734 or email jeff@solar1.org.

There is a $30 fee for non-CNYC members. Please sign up by clicking here.

Block Island has no electrical connection to the mainland and the electricity on the island comes mostly from diesel generators.  This makes their electricity rates among the highest anywhere.  There are plans to build an offshore wind farm to help supply electricity to the island, though they are currently hung up in a legal battle.  This means that Block Island is particularly ripe for solar development, since the incentives available and the high cost of energy will combine to reduce the payback period significantly.  We hope Sarah will update us as the project progresses.

Solar One has partnered with Superintendents Technical Association (STA) to reach building operators in New York City and provide them with an “Intro to Green”. Although targeted towards superintendents, property managers and coop board members could also benefit from this technical seminar.

On Monday, October 18th from 6-9pm, a new three-hour course will introduce the concept of green and how it relates to buildings in New York City.

This introductory course will help building operators, property managers, and coop boards manage their buildings in a more energy efficient and cost-effective way. The course will orient building stakeholders in green terminology and concepts; review NYC’s new green laws for existing buildings; discuss NYSERDA incentives available for New York buildings; and determine if future education and/or certifications may be right for the attendees.

For more information or to register, please visit nycsta.org

Monday, October 18th, 6-9pm
230 E 90th St.
Pre-register: $55.00
STA Member & non-members: $65.00 at the door

For more information, contact Mary Tchamkina at Solar One:
646-576-5663
mary@solar1.org

The Greener Greater Buildings Plan, New York City’s green building legislation, was passed in December 9, 2009.  Solar One, in partnership with NYSERDA,  the City of New York, the Alliance for Downtown New York,  the New York Academy of Sciences, and the New York Building Congress, bring to you the first of a series of workshops to better explain this legislation to the audience it affects – commercial building owners and managers.  In addition to legislation, we will present an overview of the NYSERDA incentives available to commercial buildings that will help offset the costs for energy efficiency upgrades.

Green Within Reach, hosted by the Alliance for Downtown New York, will take place on April 15 from 8:00-11:00am at The New York Academy of Sciences.  While we expect a large amount of interest, we especially invite those who are decision-makers over commercial buildings in the downtown area to attend.

The New York Academy of Sciences
Seven World Trade Center
250 Greenwich Street, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Event will feature presentations by NYSERDA and the City of New York. Opening remarks by Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert M. LiMandri.

Agenda
8:00am Breakfast & Networking
8:30am Welcome & Introductions
9:00am Program Begins
10:30am Q&A

EVENT IS FREE. SPACE IS LIMITED.
RSVP here by April 12.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Hewitt at ehewitt@downtownny.com .

Green Your Home From the Inside Out!

Thursday, April 8th, 6:30pm – 9pm
Queens Botanical Garden Visitor Center
43-50 Main Street, Flushing, 11355

Solar One, New York City’s green energy, arts & education center, in partnership with the NYC Compost Project and the NYC Department of Sanitation, presents Green From the Inside Out on Thursday, April 8th at the Queens Botanical Garden.

Green From the Inside Out gives homeowners, coop and condo owners, building managers, and tenants the knowledge and resources they need to make their homes more environmentally friendly by saving energy (and money!), reducing waste, and recycling correctly. Come test your recycling knowledge, find out about composting, learn what incentives are available for your energy efficiency improvements, find out if solar power and green roofs are right for you, and talk to vendors of green products and services. Featuring presentations by Solar One, the NYC Compost Project, the NYC Department of Sanitation, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Energy $mart Communities.

Please RSVP to Celia Salgado at 212-505-6050 or celia@solar1.org.

PRESENTATION DETAILS:

Reducing Energy Costs Through Energy Efficiency
Find out how to save money, help the environment, and make your home even more comfortable. Learn easy tips for energy savings, as well as cost-effective ways to make a big difference in your home energy bills.  Government and utility incentives for homeowners to make energy-efficiency improvements will be discussed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Energy $mart Communities Coordinator.

A Survey of Rooftop Solar Applications in NYC:  Solar Thermal and Photovoltaics
Learn the difference between the two most common kinds of solar power used in New York City homes, and how to determine which application is right for you.   We’ll review the generous government incentives currently available for solar and discuss how homeowners can find a solar installer.  “White roofs” and “green roofs” will also be discussed.

Composting 101
Find out how to create rich compost from household food scraps. Learn about different compost systems and options for your building or household, and how to effectively maintain a compost bin and group composting system.

Recycling and Beyond
Learn the basics and the fine print of New York City’s curbside recycling program. Best practices in setting up apartment building recycling areas and educating residents, as well as legislative updates on materials not collected curbside, will be discussed.

Free event! Refreshments will be provided!

Green Your Home from the Inside Out!

Monday, April 19th, 6 pm – 8:30 pm
74 Trinity Place (Trinity Church)
Parlor Room, 2nd Floor

Solar One, in partnership with GrowNYC, presents Green from the Inside Out on Monday, April 19^th from 6-8:30pm at 74 Trinity Place (Trinity Church) in the Parlor Room. This event gives coop and condo owners, building managers, landlords, and tenants the tools, resources, and information they need to green their multifamily building through presentations on recycling, energy efficiency, and rooftop possibilities for multifamily buildings in New York City. Exhibitors of green products and services will also be present to answer technical questions.

Please RSVP to Celia Salgado at 212-505-6050 or celia@solar1.org.

PRESENTATION DETAILS:

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.

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.

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. GrowNYC (formerly the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education) is a program of the Council on the Environment of New York City.

Free event!  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.

Green Your Home from the Inside Out!

Saturday, March 27th, 12pm – 3pm
Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Building P
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island

Solar One, New York City’s green energy, arts & education center, in partnership with the NYC Compost Project and the NYC Department of Sanitation, presents Green From the Inside Out on Saturday, March 27 at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.

Green From the Inside Out gives Staten Island homeowners the knowledge and resources they need to make their homes more environmentally friendly by saving energy (and money!), reducing waste, and recycling correctly. Come test your recycling knowledge, find out about composting, learn what incentives are available for your home improvements, find out if solar power and green roofs are right for you, and talk to vendors of green products and services. Featuring presentations by Solar One, the NYC Compost Project, the NYC Department of Sanitation, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Energy $mart Communities.

Please RSVP to Celia Salgado at 212-505-6050 or celia@solar1.org.

Presentation Details:

Composting 101

The NYC Compost Project on Staten Island will discuss the simple steps involved in creating rich compost from household food scraps.  Learn about the different ways to compost at home, how to effectively maintain a compost bin, troubleshoot common issues, and utilize the finished product in your garden.

Recycling and Beyond

Learn the basics and the fine print of New York City’s curbside recycling program.  Best practices in waste prevention and reuse, as well as legislative updates on materials not collected curbside, such as plastic bags and rechargeable batteries, will be discussed.

Reducing Energy Costs Through Energy Efficiency

Find out how to save money, help the environment, and make your home even more comfortable. Learn easy tips for energy savings, as well as cost-effective ways to make a big difference in your home energy bills.  Government and utility incentives for homeowners to make energy-efficiency improvements will be discussed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Energy $mart Communities Coordinator for Staten Island.

A Survey of Rooftop Solar Applications in NYC:  Solar Thermal and Photovoltaics

Learn the difference between the two most common kinds of solar power used in New York City homes, and how to determine which application is right for you.   Solar One’s Chris Neidl will review the generous government incentives currently available for solar and discuss how homeowners can find a solar installer.  “White roofs” and “green roofs” will also be discussed.

Free event! Refreshments will be provided!

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.

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.

6:30pm: 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.

7:15 pm: 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.

8pm: 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.

WHEN:  Monday, January 25th

6:30pm to 8:30pm

WHERE: Sol Goldman YM-YWHA

344 East 14th Street New York, NY

RSVP’s required.  Send email to celia@solar1.org to RSVP

RSVP’d guests can arrive at 6:15 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.

Empire State Development Corporation Division of Minority & Women’s Business Development in collaboration with U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency present a full-day program designed to help you prepare your company for new business opportunities in energy efficiency, green building construction, alternative energy technologies and more.  Learn the information you need to identify new projects, understand what qualifications you will need to bid on them and advance your company in the energy efficiency and green technologies market.

New stimulus funds, new tax incentives, new legislation, new energy efficiency programs and new energy efficient technologies are creating new business opportunities for construction professionals, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, professional service consultants and financial professionals to grow and expand their business.

Diana Pangestu of SolarOne/NYSERDA will be exhibiting and distributing information about NYSERDA’s programs in energy efficient building technology.

Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street, NYC

Register here

West Harlem Group Assistance is hosting a Saturday seminar for women who are thinking about purchasing their first home.  Topics covered will include budgeting techniques and navigating the real estate market. Diana Pangestu of SolarOne/NYSERDA will speak at 1:30 pm about NYSERDA’s programs that help homeowners save energy and money.

Oberia D. Dempsey Multiservice Center

127 West 127th St, room 412

Register with Ms. Hylton or Ms. Romero at 212-862-1399