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NYC Energy Map by Columbia U’s Modi Research Group Shows Statistical Energy Use by NYC Block
February 2nd, 2012
Click on the image above to explore this fascinating interactive map of energy use by building across the city. Usage was calculated statistically, based on this study on spatial distribution of urban energy consumption (in other words, no utility records or private information was used). Congratulations to Professor Vijay Modi and PhD student Bianca Howard of the Modi Research Group at Columbia- the map’ been featured in the NY Times, the Wall Street Journal and CNET.
Posted in Energy, Energy Efficiency, Global Warming, New York City | Permalink | posted by Dina
No Money No Problems? Financing Cleantech in the Post-ARRA Era
January 27th, 2012| January 31, 2012 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Join us Tuesday, January 31, for the first 2012 event in Solar One’s and NYC ACRE’s cleantech discussion series Clean Energy Connections: No Money No Problems? Financing Cleantech in the Post-ARRA Era.
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2011 7:00pm-9:00pm (doors open at 6:30p)
The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC
44 Charlton Street, New York, NY 10014
General Admission: $25, Students: $10
Register for your advanced tickets here
A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
The beginning of 2012 ushers in a new era in renewable energy funding. Section 1603 Treasury Program is dead in the water thanks to a gridlocked Congress, and low tax appetites have hamstrung potential investors. As we move into an uncertain financial landscape, where will today’s renewable energy upstarts find funding for their projects and companies? Will private financing step in to sustain the industry’s momentum? How can the considerable financial power of New York City take a leadership role? Financial experts will examine these issues and offer a realistic assessment of where cleantech is headed now that the federal buck has stopped.
A networking reception will follow the panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Opening Speaker:
- Nathanael Greene, Director of Renewable Energy Policy, Natural Resources Defense Council
Panelists:
- Izzet Bensusan, President and CEO, Karbone
- Ann Davlin, Director of Development, Carbon War Room
- Jason Scott, Partner, EKO Asset Management Partners
Moderator:
- Michael Molnar, Partner, Greentech Capital Advisors
Can’t make it? Greentech Media is the media sponsor for this series and will host a free live web stream of this event at www.greentechmedia.com. Questions for the panelists and comments can be submitted via Twitter@CleanECNYC, #CleanNRGx.
No Money No Problems? is the first event of the second season of the cleantech discussion series Clean Energy Connections. Clean Energy Connections is a program of Solar One and NYC ACRE at NYU-Poly that brings together professionals, policymakers, investors and academia to explore major topics shaping NYC’s blossoming cleantech industry, and provides an expert forum to share best practices and new inspirations.
Posted in Clean Energy Connections Blog, Cleantech, Economy, New York City, Photovoltaics, Solar One Events, Sustainability, Technology | Permalink | posted by Jeff
On-Bill Recovery Coming January 30
January 25th, 2012
Starting January 30, New Yorkers will be able to conveniently finance energy-efficient upgrades to their homes through a charge on their electric bill. On average, this charge will be less than the money saved by the improvements, so participants should not see their bills rise on a yearly basis. And if you act soon, you won’t have any payments due until June 2012.
This is the new On-Bill Recovery Loan Program, which we explained in November. The program will be available to homeowners who are customers of Central Hudson Gas and Electric, Con Edison, Long Island Power Authority, New York State Electric and Gas Corporation, National Grid (upstate NY customers only), Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation. The program will soon be offered to small businesses, not-for-profits, and multifamily building owners, although it is not yet available for these groups.
NYSERDA recently released the details of the On-Bill Recovery program, which offers lower interest rates than its current financing programs. For a rundown of the newly released details and an explanation of how the program will benefit you, continue reading after the jump.
Posted in Energy, Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Green Building, NYSERDA, Sustainability | Permalink | posted by Jeff
Catch “Burning In The Sun” this Sunday on PBS!
January 24th, 2012Back in 2009, Solar One was fortunate to host the World Premiere of “Burning In The Sun” as part of our Solar-Powered Film Series. Now the film is coming to your local airwaves as PBS will be airing it this Sunday, January 29th as part of their AfroPop series, hosted by Wyatt Cenac. In NYC, you can catch it at 8am, 2pm, 9pm and 2am on WLIW World or set your DVR to record one of those times (check your local listings for time/channel confirmation).
Directed by Cambria Matlow and Morgan Robinson and originally screened in collaboration with Rooftop Films and IFP, the film tells the story of 26-year-old Daniel Dembele, who decides to return to his homeland in Mali and start a local business building solar panels. As it follows his progress from startup to viable business, the film touches on themes of climate change, poverty, and African self-sufficiency. Check out the trailer:
Congratulations to Cambria and Morgan on getting their film in front of a nationwide audience! Also check out our update from March that features a 7-minute video by Morgan called “Burning In The States” focusing on the efforts of local NYC students building small-scale projects.
Posted in Energy, Film, Global Warming, Photovoltaics, Renewables, Solar One, Solar Power, Technology | Permalink | posted by Jamie
Increased Funding for NYSERDA Program to Help Low-Income New Yorkers Reduce Energy Bills
January 20th, 2012To help larger numbers of low-income households cut their energy bills in the coming year, funding for EmPower New York will increase by $18 Million, providing a total of $46 million in 2012, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced last week. EmPower New York is a NYSERDA program to help low-income residents reduce their use of electricity, improve the efficiency of their heating systems and increase the comfort of their homes. Families that receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) spend 25 percent of their income on utilities, while median-income households spend 4 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Posted in Clean Energy Connections Blog, Energy $mart Communities, Green Building, Housing, NYSERDA | Permalink | posted by Jeff
NYC Gets SunShot Award to Make It Easier to Install Solar
January 19th, 2012The City University of New York (CUNY), on behalf of New York City, won a grant award in mid-December from the Rooftop Solar Challenge, a program of the US Department of Energy (DOE) to support cutting the red tape involved with installing solar. The Rooftop Solar Challenge is part of SunShot, an ambitious initiative of the DOE to make solar cost competitive with other energy technologies without subsidies by the end of the decade. New York City was one of 22 state and municipal recipients of the award. Over the next two years, these 22 teams will implement step-by-step actions to standardize solar permitting processes, update planning and zoning codes, improve standards for connecting solar power to the electric grid, and increase access to financing.
The money awarded by the DOE is for SunShot NY, a two-phase $3.4 million dollar plan that aims to increase the accessibility and affordability of solar for New York City residents by driving down administrative costs.
Posted in Cleantech, Energy, Energy $mart Communities, New York City, Solar Power, Sustainability | Permalink | posted by Jeff
NYC Green Projects Win Economic Development Funding
January 17th, 2012
Following Governor Cuomo’s creation of 10 Regional Economic Development Councils in July last year, the newly created New York City Economic Development Council developed a plan to stimulate economic development and job growth in the region. On December 8, state agencies announced the funding awards that will put the plan into action, and New York City received over $66 million.
Many of the projects that received funding in New York City and around the state will reduce electricity use and promote sustainability. We are pleased to announce that Solar One received $229,000 for its Solar 2 project. The funding will go toward installing a green roof on Solar 2, a new energy positive and net-zero water use environmental learning center that will replace Solar 1 in Stuyvesant Cove Park.
Posted in Energy $mart Communities, New York City, NYSERDA, Solar 2, Solar One | Permalink | posted by Jeff
Sustainable CUNY is hiring two NYC Solar Ombudsmen
January 13th, 2012Our friends at Sustainable CUNY are looking for solar superstars to be part of the New York City Solar America Cities team. Applicants must apply through the CUNY Research Foundation website at these links: Ombudsman (Online) , Ombudsman (Technical). For more information about the NYC Solar America Cities program, visit nycsolarcity.com.
Posted in Solar One | Permalink | posted by Max
Bushwick Campus Greenhouse Gets Expansion Funding
January 4th, 2012In 2010, Solar One helped initiate a greenhouse project at the Bushwick Campus which contains the Academy of Urban Planning, Academy of Environmental Leadership, Brooklyn School for Math and Research, and Bushwick School for Social Justice.
This project grew out of our Green Design Lab project that was recently highlighted in the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere. Now, the Greenhouse project will be taken to a new level thanks to a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $16,500.
Working with EcoStation:NY, students will develop the existing structure to “make it an environment for year-round growing and learning by building shelves, tables, and workbenches, installing solar panels, aquaponic and hydroponic systems, winterizing it for year-round use, and implementing a water catchment system for rainwater harvesting.” From there, it will be used in some new classes covering Agriculture, Hydroponics, etc. that will be available to students at the schools. Other plans include “cooking classes, guest teachers, and field trips,” and it’s all in service of the project’s goal “to connect the dots between the food system, economics, health, the environment, social justice, and sustainable agricultural practices.”
We want to extend our congratulations to everyone involved in making this project happen and hope that it inspires other schools to take up similar projects that educate while improving our local environments. We are looking forward to seeing the completed work in effect in the near future. For more background on the project, check out the Bushwick Campus Farm YouTube Channel.
Posted in Education, Food, Green Design Lab, Organic Farming | Permalink | posted by Jamie
EVs in NYC: What Roll-out Strategies Work Best for the Big Apple?
November 29th, 2011| November 30, 2011 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Join us this Wednesday for the 6th event of Solar One’s and NYC ACRE’s cleantech discussion series Clean Energy Connections: EVs in NYC: What Roll-out Strategies Work Best for the Big Apple?
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011 7:00pm-9:00pm (doors open at 6:30p)
The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC
44 Charlton Street, New York, NY 10014
General Admission: $25, Students: $10
Register for your advanced tickets here
A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
New York City has the nation’s largest hybrid vehicle fleet and the best access to public transportation in the United States. City officials and Con Edison are planning for widespread adoption of electric vehicles and its impact on the electric grid. This event will focus on fleet-based approaches for electric vehicles, charging infrastructure challenges, and what this roll-out means for grid-scale storage and reliability issues.
A networking reception will follow the panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Opening Speakers:
- Christina Ficicchia, Executive Director, New York City and Lower Hudson Valley Clean Communities
- Keith Kerman, Deputy Commissioner, New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS); New York City’s first Chief Fleet Officer
Panelists:
- Brian Asparro, Chief Financial Officer, Green Charge Networks
- John Shipman, Department Manager, Electric Vehicle Programs, Con Edison
- Brett Gipe, Regional Sales Director, Eastern U.S. & Canada, Smith Electric Vehicles
- Anatol Feygin, Vice President, Energy Strategist, Loews Corporation
Moderator:
- David Leeds, Senior Manager, Smart Grid Research, Greentech Media
Can’t make it? Greentech Media is the media sponsor for this series and will host a free live web stream of this event at www.greentechmedia.com/
EVs in NYC is a part of the cleantech discussion series Clean Energy Connections. Clean Energy Connections is a program of Solar One and NYC ACRE at NYU-Poly that brings together professionals, policymakers, investors and academia to explore major topics shaping NYC’s blossoming cleantech industry, and provides an expert forum to share best practices and new inspirations.
Posted in Clean Energy Connections Blog, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Solar One Events, Sustainability, Technology, Transportation | Permalink | posted by Jeff
Build It Green NYC’s new Gowanus space open for Community Solar Day
November 17th, 2011
Our friends at Build It Green NYC have opened a new retail location in Gowanus! Visit bignyc.org for all the info and directions. And, if you are thinking of heading over this weekend to check it out, why not time your visit to coincide with our Community Solar Day photo, to be taken in front of the Build It Green entrance at 2PM on Sunday, November 20. See you there!
Posted in Solar One | Permalink | posted by Max
Community Solar Day: Occupy Rooftops
November 9th, 2011
Show the world that your community supports solar power! On November 20th, Solar One is partnering with Solar Mosaic, 350.org, Vote Solar, and others for the first Community Solar Day: Occupy Rooftops, a day for people around the world to come together at a building they want to help go solar and start creating local jobs and clean energy through a community solar project. Here is how it works:
1.) Find a building where you want to see solar in your community. (To figure out just how much solar it can support, use the NYC Solar Map.)
2.) Get together an allstar community solar team of your friends and neighbors
3.) Snap a picture in front of or on top of (stay safe and legal people!) your dream community solar project
4.) Post that photo to meetup.com/Community-Solar and/or email to theteam@solarmosaic.com
Community Solar Day is about much more than a photo op. Community solar is a fast-growing model for renewable energy projects that can break the hold of fossil fuel over our economy and our environment. Interested? Visit our friends at Vote Solar for a primer on community solar and a policy toolkit. For more details on community solar’s prospects in New York City, check out Solar One alum Chris Neidl’s article in Solar Today magazine.
Posted in Solar One | Permalink | posted by Max
Coming in 2012: On-bill financing
November 8th, 2011
Paying for energy efficiency improvements is about to get a whole lot easier with the introduction of on-bill financing in New York State. If you are a home or business owner, paying the upfront cost of efficiency measures can be a major barrier, no matter how attractive the return-on-investment from energy savings is. With on-bill financing, which was passed into law by the Power NY Act of 2011, you will be able to pay for upgrades directly through a surcharge on your monthly utility bill. Better yet, the surcharge has to be lower than your energy savings, so your bills go down from the start. And if you move, the surcharges stay with the property’s utility bill, not with you.
NYSERDA is currently developing the on-bill financing program, which will available to the public in 2012. In the meantime, you can access the NYSERDA Green Jobs Green NY programs for audits and financing.
Want to know more? Click here for the full story.
Posted in Energy $mart Communities, Legislation | Permalink | posted by Jeff
Nov. 3: Biomimicry in the Big City
November 3rd, 2011
Online ticket sales for Clean Energy Connections’ “Biomimicry in the Big City” will close at 4pm today. If you haven’t bought yours yet, go here to register. If you missed your chance to register online, there will be a limited number of tickets available at the door. Be sure to arrive early!
If you can’t make it in person tonight, be sure to follow along online. We had previously posted a livestream.com link for the web cast, but this has been changed. To view the live web stream of Biomimicry in the Big City, visit the Greentech Media article about the program here. The video will be embedded about a half hour prior to the event’s start.
If you haven’t heard about Biomimicry in the Big City, check out the description on the Clean Energy Connections website. Here are the logistical details:
Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 7:00pm-9:00pm (doors open at 6:30p)
The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC
44 Charlton Street, New York, NY 10014
General Admission: $25, Students: $10
Posted in Solar One | Permalink | posted by Jeff
THIS THURSDAY: Clean Energy Connections presents Biomimicry in the Big City
October 31st, 2011| November 3, 2011 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
Join us this Thursday for the 5th event of Solar One’s and NYC ACRE’s cleantech discussion series Clean Energy Connections: Biomimicry in the Big City: Can Nature Inspire Cleantech Solutions?
Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 7:00pm-9:00pm (doors open at 6:30p)
The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space at WNYC
44 Charlton Street, New York, NY 10014
General Admission: $25, Students: $10
Register for your advanced tickets here
Order in advance because only a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
Humans have always looked to nature for inspiration in industry and progress. By observing nature, we have developed better machines, materials and buildings to improve our world. Only recently, however, have we begun to explore the potential of observing nature to advance clean-energy technology. Entrepreneurs, investors and biomimetic designers will discuss how companies are utilizing biomimicry to design, build and operate innovative cleantech technologies. Join us as experts explore the benefits and challenges of this new collaborative model and dive into the best strategies for success.
A networking reception will follow the panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Opening Speaker:
- Miriam Pye, Senior Project Manager of Manufacturing Technology Development, NYSERDA
Panelists:
- Sam Cochran, Co-founder, CEO & Chief Design Officer, SMIT
- Mark Dorfman, Consulting Scientist, Biomimicry 3.8
- Chris Garvin, Partner, Terrapin Bright Green
- Pat Sapinsley, Venture Partner, Good Energies; President, Build Efficiently, LLC
Moderator:
- Reena Jana, Contributing Editor, SmartPlanet, a CBS Interactive site
Can’t make it? Greentech Media is the media sponsor for this series and will host a free live web stream of this event at www.livestream.com/
Biomimicry in the Big City is a part of the cleantech discussion series Clean Energy Connections. Clean Energy Connections is a program of Solar One and NYC ACRE at NYU-Poly that brings together professionals, policymakers, investors and academia to explore major topics shaping NYC’s blossoming cleantech industry, and provides an expert forum to share best practices and new inspirations. The event partner for Biomimicry in the Big City is Terrapin Bright Green.
Posted in Energy $mart Communities, Solar One Events | Permalink | posted by Jeff
GrowNYC and BIG!NYC Costume Swap Plus BIG!NYC Hallowe’en Fundraiser This Friday
October 25th, 2011
Get your spooky fun on this Friday at BuildItGreen!NYC’s brand-new space in Gowanus, Brooklyn! From 3-6pm, kids can stop by the BIG!NYC/GrowNYC costume swap and trade their old finery for new, plus watch family-friendly Hallowe’en films, do some eco-crafts (Solar One will be making cardboard animal masks), play games and much more!
Then at 7pm, it’s time for more adult fun at BIG’s costume fundraiser. Tickets start at just $10 and are available HERE!
BIG!NYC Costume Swap and Fundraiser
Friday October 28, 2011
Costume Swap at 3pm, Fundraiser at 6pm
69 9th Street, Brooklyn
Get directions HERE!
Posted in Build It Green, Design, Film, Food, Green Building, Music, New York City, Recycling, Sustainability, Waste | Permalink | posted by Dina
Green Songwriting Contest for Kids
October 17th, 2011Our frequent partner, the 14th Street Y, is holding a songwriting competition for kids who want to be the next “Eco-Idol”! Through the end of October, kids can submit their own original verse (parents can help) to the “That’s why I go Green” by Nathan Tysen. The best lyrics wins their own NEW BIKE, while runners up receive an iPod Shuffle! For more information, visit the 14th Street Y Kids Song Contest Webpage.
Posted in Solar One | Permalink | posted by Max
Tonight’s Intro to Green sold out!
October 13th, 2011Tonight’s Intro to Green for Co-ops and Condos has sold out. Thank you to everyone for your interest in the program. If you missed this event, please stay tuned to the Solar One and Energy $mart Communities newsletters for the announcement of the next Intro to Green workshop. You can also email Jeff Irvine at jeff@solar1.org to receive an email notification when the next workshop is announced.
Posted in Solar One | Permalink | posted by Jeff
Upcoming Intro to Green on Oct. 13
October 6th, 2011| October 13, 2011 | ||
| 7:00 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
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.
Posted in Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Housing, NYSERDA, Solar One Events, Sustainability | Permalink | posted by Jeff
New York’s Grid is Getting Smarter
September 27th, 2011
For many New Yorkers, thoughts about the electricity grid don’t extend much further than their light switches. This may change soon, however, as major upgrades to the grid are planned that will lower electricity bills and improve reliability.
Taken together, these upgraded technologies are known as the smart grid. In August, the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the non-profit organization that manages New York’s electricity grid and administers the state’s wholesale electricity markets, unveiled a $74 million initiative to upgrade New York’s electricity grid with new smart grid technologies.
Backed by more than $37 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, these technologies will improve the efficiency of the state’s bulk transmission system and improve grid operators’ visualization capabilities and situational awareness. NYISO also held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new $35.5 million primary power control center in Rensselaer County.
What does it all mean?
New Yorkers will save money. New capacitor banks will reduce electricity costs in New York State approximately $9 million per year by reducing the amount of electricity that is lost when carried over long distances on the bulk transmission system. All told, the upgrades will provide New York with approximately $190 million in annual savings.
Power reliability will improve. New phaser measurement units will improve NYISO’s ability to receive, process and monitor changing conditions, which it does on a moment-to-moment basis, 24 hours per day. Ultimately, NYISO hopes to integrate its smart grid with others across the Northeast and Canada, which could help avoid potential outages, such as the 2003 blackout.
Renewable energy will get a boost. The smart grid upgrades and new power control center will aid the integration of renewable energy supplies, such as solar and wind, into the power supply.
To learn more, visit the NYISO website, read its press release or check out the NYS Smart Grid Consortium overview.
Posted in Cleantech, Energy $mart Communities, Energy Efficiency, Legislation, Sustainability, Technology | Permalink | posted by Jeff
