NYSERDA Resources

Welcome to the website for the Energy $mart Communities (E$C) Program
for Manhattan and Staten Island!

ABOUT

RESOURCES

CONTRACTOR’S CORNER

PROJECTS

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

PARTNERS

GET INVOLVED

About E$C

1 E EduThe Energy $mart Communities Program offers local, convenient, community-based access to theNew York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA’s) energy-efficiency and R&D programs.  NYSERDA works with 10 Community Coordinators strategically located throughout the State to outreach NYSERDA’s programs to residential, commercial, institutional, municipal, and industrial customers.  Through the E$C Program, Solar One serves as NYSERDA’s representative in the Downstate South region (Manhattan and Staten Island), one of the 10 regions in New York State.

As the E$C Coordinator, our responsibilities include:

  • 2 connectingProviding assistance and educating New York City’s homeowners, community leaders, business owners, and the general public on energy efficiency and renewable energy resources using community-based outreach, energy education forums, and one-on-one consulting to energy-related businesses and entrepreneurs.
  • Matching energy project needs with the available NYSERDA funding opportunities and other economic development resources, including utility incentives, government tax credits and abatements, financing options, and other local resources.
  • Helping organizations and businesses create jobs by providing access to job training and recruitment opportunities.4 parnerships1 copy
  • Creating partnerships to encourage the development and implementation of local energy initiatives.
  • 5 networkBuilding a network of local organizations and agencies, such as local government entities, non-profits, building owners and managers, energy service companies, professional associations, building trade unions, and other parties interested in contributing to the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Please contact me to learn more about NYSERDA programs and incentives!

Understand the relationship between Solar One, NYSERDA, its programs and you:

E$C at S1 presentation

To find out about NYSERDA, visit:

www.nyserda.org

For information for consumers and home owners, log on to:

www.getenergysmart.org

To read more about renewable energy, go to:

www.powernaturally.org

Looking for help with NYSERDA programs outside of Manhattan and Staten Island?

Resources

Find a NYSERDA program that applies to your energy project:

NYSERDA Program Cheat Sheet

NYSERDA contracts with a variety of firms, individuals, institutions, and organizations for engineering, scientific, technical, and other services for its R&D and deployment programs:

NYSERDA Funding for R&D, Business Expansion, and other Business Services

If you are considering investing into your home or business by making it more energy efficient, the following presentations will walk you through the NYSERDA programs and incentives available to help finance your project.

If you are interested, click on the Program Details link to learn more.

Contractor’s Corner

NYSERDA Contractor Opportunities

Building Performance Contractor Opportunities

Commercial Lighting Contractor Opportunities

Contractor Network

NYSERDA is always seeking new partners to implement its various programs. If you are a contractor, an engineer, an energy auditor, or a solar installer, NYSERDA can provide you with access to a wider customer base through involvement in its projects. Click on the summary of Partner Opportunities to learn more.

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RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS:

Build Your Business and Expand Your Skills!

BPI accredited contractors deliver the next generation of energy efficiency services to existing residential buildings, employing a ‘building-as-a-system’ philosophy.


BPI accreditation is a nationally recognized accreditation program that offers training as well as contractor support.  Through the use of diagnostic tools, you will be able to clearly demonstrate cost savings and offer solutions to many important homeowner problems, such as:

  • cold and drafty rooms
  • poor indoor air quality
  • high energy bills

New and existing customers will appreciate your depth of building technology knowledge. You can help your clients to create a more comfortable and cost-effective home with:

  • more efficient heating and cooling systems
  • reduced air leakage
  • LOWER ENERGY COSTS

Currenly, NYSERDA provides low-cost BPI training and contractor incentives so that you can become an Accredited Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor. Only BPI accredited contractors are eligible to participate in NYSERDA residential programs.

Benefits of participating in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program include:

  • Become Accredited through BPI – Learn from the energy professionals at the Building Performance Institute (BPI). The program pays in added revenues from home analyses and energy-focused projects.
  • Save on Diagnostic Equipment – Receive assistance to procure necessary diagnostic equipment.
  • Receive New Business Leads – Consumers interested in having home improvement work done are directed to certified contractors.
  • Receive Free Promotion – You will be included on NYSERDA’s website in the “Find a Contractor Near You” list. The site receives over 2,000 hits each week and points prospects toward BPI accredited contractors local to the prospects.
  • Help Your Customers Say Yes – In your project proposals, suggest program-sponsored low-interest loans. There are a number of options available to consumers to help pay for the cost of the energy efficiency improvements.
  • Co-op Marketing Incentives – Funds are available to help pay for your marketing efforts as a participating contractor.

Find out more:

See if your company fits the Home Performance Contractor profile

Download the Contractor Information brochure

Visit the Building Performance Institute website

BPI test prep courses can be found at the following training centers in the NYC area:

Association for Energy Affordability

Bronx Community College Center for Sustainable Energy

OR

Find more training centers in New York State

Commercial Lighting Contractor Opportunities

The New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Commercial Lighting Program promotes effective, energy-efficient lighting for commercial areas 1,000 to approximately 100,000 square feet. The program provides training and assistance to lighting practitioners in designing and installing energy-efficient lighting systems. The goal of the program is to increase the availability and sales of energy-efficient lighting products as well as to educate building owners and managers on the benefits of effective, energy-efficient lighting.

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The Commercial Lighting Program Offers Lighting Practitioners:

  • Tools and resources for designing and installing effective, energy-efficient lighting that meets specific needs and provide better illumination
  • Training sessions on effective lighting design and implementation with additional web based resources
  • Cash incentives for qualified lighting projects with bonuses for the use of advanced technology and/or exceeding Code
  • Cash awards for Program competitions based on the number of projects upgraded with effective lighting
  • Demonstration project awards for exemplary lighting designs
  • Marketing incentives
  • Incentives to offset costs for professional lighting certification

Who Can Participate as a Business Partner

CLP Business Partners must adhere to the following criteria:

  • A Business Partner may be an electrical or lighting contractor, distributor, lighting designer, interior designer, architect, engineer, energy service company (ESCO), manufacturer’s representative, or other lighting decision maker.
  • Each Business Partner company must have at least one CLP trained participant who will serve as the Program contact.
  • The company must sign a Participation Agreement and submit at least one project within six months of becoming a Business Partner.

In return, Business Partners will be listed on the Program Web site, receive support from a CLP Account Manager and the Technical Specialist, and be eligible to receive Program incentives and awards.

How do I Participate in the Commercial Lighting Program?

Request a self-training packet via email or by calling the toll-free number:

clp@icfi.com

1-866-698-8177

Once you have reviewed the materials in the packet, complete the brief self-qualification sheet and participation agreement and send them to the address provided. You will be contacted by an Account Manager who will guide you through the process of submitting projects for incentives.

Visit the NYSERDA Commercial Lighting Program website for additional information.

Contractor Network

contractor

Looking for a contractor for your energy project? You’ve come to the right place!

All contractors on this list are certified to work on NYSERDA projects.

If you are a NYSERDA contractor working in Manhattan or Staten Island and do not find yourself on this list, please email me: max@solar1.org

PROJECTS & INITIATIVES

Green From the Inside Out

14th Street Y

LED Holiday Lights

Manhattan Green Business Initiative

To every neighborhood in New York City,

we bring the TOOLS, RESOURCES, and INFORMATION

for owners, shareholders, and managers

to make their BUILDINGS…

Green from the Inside Out is a three-part travelling presentation series for multifamily buildings that focuses on energy efficiency, recycling, and rooftop possibilities. This series is geared towards decision makers, including coop/condo owners and building managers. It is intended as an educational and motivational piece to have the decision makers implement the green measures suggested in the presentations.

ROOF APPLICATIONS. Hear about the economic and quality-of-life implications of four rooftop applications that make sense in NYC: solar thermal technology, photovoltaics, green roofs, and white roofs. Presentation by Chris Neidl of Solar One.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY. Lower your utlility bills by improving your building’s energy efficiency in lighting, appliances, and heating systems. Find out what incentives are available for your building. Presentation by Max Joel of Solar One.

RECYCLING. Come test your recycling knowledge and hear about new recycling laws and old misconceptions. Learn about other ways to reduce waste, recycle more, and help make NYC a little greener. Presentation by Christina Salvi of the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education.

These events are free and open to the public. We invite pre-selected vendors to answer any technical questions.

Here is what building shareholders and managers who attended our previous sessions had to say about the GGU workshops:

“The length of the presentation and depth of material seemed appropriate for the event and appreciated the follow up – thanks!”

“Excellent forum and resources, thanks for providing the links on the follow up e-mail.”

“Thanks for taking the time to provide such an informative presentation at no charge.”

“[The vendors'] expertise came across as easily applicable for different people/situations.”

To host a Green From the Inside Out in your neighborhood, all we need is a donated space and we’ll do the rest. Email or call Max Joel at max@solar1.org or 212-505-6050 for more information.

Financial support for Green From the Inside Out has been provided the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under a Grant Agreement.

In the spring of 2010, Solar One Energy Connections teamed up with the 14th Street Y to illustrate an exciting case study of an existing building undergoing energy efficiency retrofits in Manhattan.

We will show you the Y’s current systems, the audit and construction processes, the newly installed systems, the education initiatives adopted, and the financial analysis to put this project together.

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A campaign to encourage businesses around New York City to switch their public holiday displays from incandescents to LEDs. LED lights use about 1/10 of the energy consumed by traditional incandescent bulbs.

Please view our LED Holiday Lights Presentation to learn more about LED holiday lights.

Go Green

Solar One Energy $mart Communities collaborates with the Manhattan Borough President’s Office Go Green Committees to spur energy efficiency uptake for small businesses within low-income communities.

The purpose of the Go Green Initiative is to help reverse decades of environmental injustice and degradation by bringing leaders and Manhattan residents together to develop an agenda for greening neighborhoods where environmental disparities have been most acute.

The Go Green Initiative is currently in East Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, and the Lower East Side. The program focuses on: Public Health & Asthma, Farmers Markets & Healthy Foods, Green Building, Parks & Open Space, Transportation, and Sustainable Business.

E$C eNEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Look back at news, interviews, and contractor opportunities in Manhattan and Staten Island.

E$C eNewsletters 2010

  • December
    • NYSERDA Offers Free or Reduced Fee Energy Audits for Homeowners
    • NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program v4: Free Webinars
    • NYSERDA’s Combined Heat & Power (CHP) PON closes in December
    • Month 7: 14th Street Y’s New (& Green) Theater
    • Power Up This Winter & Save Energy
    • Music & Solar at the Green Salon
    • New for TVs in 2011: EnergyGuide Labels
    • How to Throw an Awesome Energy Efficient Holiday Party
  • November
    • New Incentives for Small Wind
    • Congrats to NYC °CoolRoofs!
    • Houses of Worship Inspired to be Green
    • New Green Building Codes
    • The Swap is Back!
    • Green Restaurant Initiative
    • ‘Intro To Green’, a Success!
  • October
    • NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program Launches
    • ConEd Incentives for Multi-Family Buildings
    • Financing Energy Efficiency Improvements of Multifamily and Commercial Buildings Seminar
    • Free Green Supers Training by 32BJ
    • Green Intro Course for Building Operators
    • Houses of Worship Go Green!
    • Turner School of Construction Management 8 Week Program
    • New Teacher Workshops
    • Month 6: The 14th Street Y
  • September
    • NYSERDA Announces New PV Rebate Program
    • E$C Hosts on Staten Island Home Tour
    • New York State Energy Code Changes: sign up for training sessions now!
    • Neighborhood Turns Out for Chinatown Summer Street Festival
    • Upcoming “Low-Cost/No-Cost” Green Events
  • August
    • Green “Views” Available at New Home in Staten Island – join us for a tour on August 17
    • Green Residential Building Program RFQ for Technicians
    • The 14th Street Y Explores Green Paper Options
    • NYSERDA Changes Reimbursement Policy for BPI Certification and Related Courses
  • July
    • Solar One is Hiring a New E$C Coordinator
    • NYSERDA Changes Reimbursement Policy for BPI Certification and Related Courses
    • A Review of Our Past Event: NYC the Future Metropolis
    • Staten Island’s First Energy Target Zone Launched on June 12
    • Take a Green Vacation Close to Home at Clay Pit Ponds State Park, and Learn How to Green Your Home!
    • 14th St Y Month 4: Interview with the 14th Street Y’s Energy Auditor, Goldman Copeland Associates
  • June
    • Cleantech Networking Event: New York City the Future Metropolis, June 10, 6-9pm
    • Early Stage Support for Developers of Renwable and Clean Energy Technology in New York State
    • New Energy Code Changes are in Effect July 1, 2010: Is Your Building Prepared?
    • Reimbursements for LEED, CEM, HPBD and Other Energy Efficiency and Green Building Certifications
    • The 14th Street Y Integrates Sustainability Into Their Pre-School Curriculum with Solar Lamp Installations
  • May
    • Nanotech, Advanced Building Systems, Energy R&D – New York City the Future Metropolis (June 10, 6-9pm) Provides Us A Glimpse Into NYC’s Future Built Environment
    • The 14th Street Y Begins Flextech Energy Audit – Month Two
    • Final Green from the Inside Out: May 20th at City College
    • Last Chance for New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out – $1.7 Million Remaining!
  • April
    • Green Within Reach: Bringing Together State, City, and Local Leaders to Disseminate the New Green Building Legislation and NYSERDA Incentives for Lower Manhattan Commercial Building Owners
    • The 14th Street Y Offers Transparency Into the Process and Costs of Going Green: Month One
    • A Comprehensive List of Energy Efficiency Grants, Incentive Programs, and Free Upgrades for Small Businesses, Bodegas, and Small Facilities
  • March
    • Incentives for Cleantech Expansion – Cleantech from the Frontlines: March 17
    • New Program Opportunity Notice (PON) 1772: Next Generation Emerging Technologies for End-Use Efficiency
    • Educators: Integrate energy education into your lesson plans with NYSERDA’s free Energy Smart Students workshops!
  • February
    • Introducing NYC ACRE: NYC’s Clean Tech and Renewable Energy Business Incubator
    • Become a Shining Example with Shining Example NY: New York’s Movement to Change Out More Than 16 Million Traditional Bulbs to ENERGY STAR® Qualified CFLs.
  • January
    • Solar One presents Max Joel – our new Energy $mart Communities Coordinator for residential projects and Staten Island outreach
    • Solar One Energy $mart Communities Releases New Website – www.solar1.org/nyserda
    • Two New NYSERDA Incentives: PON 1816 – Workforce Development Training Partnerships for Energy Efficiency, and the NY Great Appliance Swap Out

E$C eNewsletters 2009

  • December
    • Hive at 55, NYC downtown’s newest coworking space
    • LED holiday lights
  • November
    • Call for Case Studies on Green Upgrades to Existing Buildings
    • Green from the Ground Up Comes to the Upper West Side November 18
    • Mayor Bloomberg Announces 30 Initiatives to Grow New York City’s Green Economy
    • Governor Paterson Announces $24 Million in Stimulus Funding Awarded to State Energy Program Projects
  • October
    • Energy $mart Communities Program – What Is It, and Why Solar One?
    • A Brief Summary of Recent NYSERDA Program Changes
    • Video: Going Solar in NYC, Commercial Properties
  • September
    • NYSERDA Incentives for Designing Spaces with Energy Efficient Lighting
    • The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation holds its first annual Health and Environment Conference
    • American Planning Association NYC Chapter hosts “Planning for the New York Region in Challenging Economic Times”
    • Learn to Green Your Multifamily Buliding with Green from the Ground Up in Washington Heights
  • August
    • Energy Smart Students Program Provides Training and Curriculum for Teachers
    • Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Challenge: $500 Awards Available for K-12 Educators
    • $30,000 Grant for Energy Studies
    • Grant for Purchase and Installation of Energy Efficiency Measures – Pay for 100% of Project Cost
  • July
    • A look at NYSERDA’s Incentives: EmPower NY
    • Partner Spotlight: Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) hosts Green from the Ground Up
  • June
    • A look at NYSERDA’s Incentives: NYSERDA Cheat Sheet Now Available!
    • Energy Efficiency News: New Laws Proposed by Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn to Promote Green Buildings in New York City – Public Comments June 18, 2009
    • Partner Spotlight: Three Green Events with UHAB, the Staten Island Economic Development Corp, and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
  • May
    • Energy Efficiency News: Governor Paterson Announces Clean Energy Job Creation Initiatives
    • Resources on the Economic Stimulus Funding for Energy Projects
  • April
    • A look at NYSERDA’s Incentives: Energy $mart Loan Fund
    • NYIRN Offers Energy Efficency Financing for Manufacturers
    • Energy Efficiency Project: Peter Cooper Village/Stuyvesant Town
    • Partner Spotlight: Office of Recycling Outreach and Education
  • March
    • A look at NYSERDA’s Incentives: Flexible Technical Assistance Program
    • Partner Spotlight: Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Green Business Committee
    • This month’s Energy Efficiency Project: Marriott Hotels
    • Energy Effciency News: New York’s Guide to the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
  • February
    • A look at NYSERDA’s Incentives: Energy Audit Program
    • Partner Spotlight: Superintendents Technical Association
    • This month’s Energy Efficiency Project: Markham Gardens
    • Energy Efficiency News: ‘Green Collar Jobs’ report forecasts 37 million jobs from renewable energy and energy efficiency in U.S. by 2030
  • January
    • A look at NYSERDA’s Incentives: Photovoltaic Incentives
    • Partner Spotlight: UHAB
    • This month’s Energy Efficiency Project: Greenhouse 26
    • Energy News: Federal Solar Tax Credits Extended for 8 Years, US Poised to Become Largest Solar Market in the World

E$C eNewsletters 2008

  • December
    • A look at NYSERDA’s Incentives: Multi-family Performance Program
    • Partner Spotlight: MBPO Go Green Task Force
    • This month’s Energy Efficiency Project: LED Holiday Lighting
    • Energy Efficiency News: Governor Paterson Announces Plan to Help Low-Income New Yorkers Cope with High Heating Costs

OUR PARTNERS

As the E$C Coordinator, E$C at S1 partners with hundreds of organizations in the New York City area. Our partners are involved in energy projects on every level and in every capacity, from outreach to implementation. Many of them are also involved in NYSERDA programs for both new and existing buildings.

If you’d like to become one of our partners and get connected to other people in this burgeoning sector, please email me with a description of your company and highlights of your past activities: max@solar1.org

Every month, this page will feature a Partner Spotlight, so please check back!

This month’s Partner Spotlight:

Asian Americans for Equality

AAFE

On August 2, 2009, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) held its annual Chinatown Summer Street Festival, which attracts approximately 20,000 visitors. This year, AAFE’s Annual Chinatown Summer Street Festival’s theme was “Building Green and Healthy Communities.”

Asian Americans for Equality, Inc. (AAFE) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization established in 1974 that is committed to community service and the empowerment of immigrants, low-income families, and minorities throughout New York City.

Under the theme of “Building Green and Healthy Communities,” the 18th annual Chinatown Summer Street Festival highlighted the many initiatives and programs currently available to keep our environment clean, safe, healthy and sustainable. AAFE also introduced free green and health programs by state and city government, utility companies, nonprofits, and businesses to reduce our ecological impact and create a healthier community. However, it did not forget its cultural focus and it included such varied programming as traditional Chinese opera, Southeast Asian dance, and Korean drumming.

At this festival, AAFE hosted Solar One’s “Green from the Ground Up” workshop, a three-part presentation for multifamily buildings that focuses on implementing energy efficiency, recycling, and green rooftop applications. Other activities included a composting workshop, a recycling information table, an electronics recycling collection, and marketing of CFL’s and other energy saving products. AAFE youth also were present to showcase their TruLight green businesses and sell eco-friendly products.

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INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES with E$C at S1

We are not currently accepting internship applications. Please check back in 2011.