JOINT PRESS RELEASE
New York, NY – August 13, 2025 – Accord Power, in partnership with Solar One, and in collaboration with Green City Force, Solar Uptown Now Services, and PowerMarket, is excited to announce the launch of NYC Sun Collective. This new program will generate 7 megawatts (MW) of community solar developed through the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) ACCESSolar program for Bundle 3 (South Brooklyn) and Bundle 4 (Queens), marking a major step forward in providing affordable and sustainable clean energy to low- to moderate-income New Yorkers. These community solar projects are not only transforming the way residents access renewable energy, but they are also providing significant benefits to NYCHA communities through workforce development initiatives, paid apprenticeships, internships for high school students, and youth educational opportunities. The ACCESSolar Bundles 3 and 4 projects will bring solar energy to thousands of low- to moderate-income households across New York City, offering residents savings on their electricity bills, making renewable energy more accessible to underserved communities — part of the Collective’s ongoing commitment to addressing energy equity.
Key Benefits of the ACCESSolar Bundles 3 & 4 Projects:
- Workforce Training & Paid Apprenticeships
Green City Force is leading the efforts to recruit NYCHA residents from Astoria, Ravenswood, Breukelen, and Brownsville Houses to participate in Solar One’s Green Construction + Solar Photovoltaic (PV) hands-on workforce training program for Bundles 3 and 4. Graduates of Solar One’s workforce training class will also receive OSHA 30 and Site Safety Training and a number of them will be hired by Accord Power for paid solar apprenticeships, enabling them to gain the skills needed for long-term careers in the clean energy sector. These apprenticeship programs are designed to equip participants with valuable technical and vocational skills, empowering them to take on full-time roles within the growing renewable energy industry. - 20 Percent Discount for Subscribers
As part of the ACCESSolar Bundles 3 and 4 projects, Solar One will engage with low- to moderate-income households in New York City in collaboration with NYCHA, and other partners to enroll households in the community solar projects. New Yorkers who sign up for community solar will receive a 20 percent discount on the credits generated by community solar, offering significant savings on energy costs and contributing to a more affordable, sustainable future. - Internships for NYCHA High School Students
In addition to workforce training for adults, Accord Power and Solar One are providing internships for NYCHA high school students, allowing them to gain real-world experience in the clean energy field. This program is an invaluable opportunity for the next generation to develop skills and build a foundation for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. - Educational Programming Through the Clean Energy Education Fund
Accord Power is also supporting NYCHA communities by offering educational programming through the Clean Energy Education Fund. This initiative focuses on engaging NYCHA residents in learning about renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Solar One’s Green Design Lab will offer workshops, seminars, and outreach programs. The Clean Energy Education Fund is helping to raise awareness and inspire future leaders in the green energy movement.
“ACCESSolar Bundles 3 and 4 are not just about bringing clean energy to NYCHA residents; they’re about building pathways to economic opportunity and sustainability,” said, CEO of Accord Power, Lincoln Xia. “We are proud to be offering workforce training, apprenticeships, and educational opportunities to empower the community while helping to combat climate change through clean, renewable energy.”
“Solar One is thrilled to have a new opportunity to partner with NYCHA, Accord Power, Green City Force, and Solar Uptown Now Services to advance clean energy career skills for NYCHA residents while also ensuring those opportunities are on NYCHA campuses, said CEO of Solar One, Stephen Levin. “The new solar capacity of 7MW will benefit local residents through the community solar program in communities that have been negatively affected by fossil fuel peaker plants for generations.”.
“NYCHA launched a concentrated effort to create more energy-efficient and resilient homes, buildings, and campuses for our residents in 2021 with the release of the Sustainability Agenda,” said NYCHA Vice President of Sustainability, Siobhan Watson. “Since then, we have continued to advance our commitment to combating the climate crisis while addressing quality of life issues for NYCHA residents through a variety of programs and initiatives like ACCESSolar, which utilizes NYCHA rooftops to host community solar arrays while providing invaluable opportunities and experience to NYCHA residents. We are very much looking forward to advancing the ACCESSolar program through Bundles 3 and 4, and sincerely thank Accord Power, Solar One, and all of our partners in this venture for their dedication to clean energy and NYCHA residents.”
“Green City Force (GCF) prepares young adults for careers in the growing green economy through a national service workforce model,” said Executive Director of Green City Force, Tonya Gale. “We are a citywide program recruiting and training young people across the five boroughs from NYCHA and other affordable housing communities, equipping them with the skills needed for success in today’s workforce. Over the past 16 years, more than 800 NYCHA residents have served as AmeriCorps members through GCF. For this initiative, GCF will lead solar workforce training recruitment efforts among NYCHA residents as well as provide support services for NYCHA residents looking to enter green jobs.”
“PowerMarket is thrilled to bring the direct financial benefits of community solar to low-income NYC residents, ensuring that local, clean energy works for the communities that need it most,” said President of PowerMarket, Jason Kaplan. “These projects reflect our commitment to making solar accessible and equitable, lowering energy costs for low-income New Yorkers while advancing the city’s clean energy goals. We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with Solar One and Accord to deliver impactful, community-driven solutions.”
Accord Power, Solar One, Green City Force, Solar Uptown Now Services, and PowerMarket are committed to creating long-term positive impacts on NYCHA communities through these transformative projects. The ACCESSolar Bundles 3 and 4 initiative is not only a vital step in bringing clean, affordable energy to public housing residents and low- to moderate-income New Yorkers, but also a critical opportunity to prepare the workforce of tomorrow for the green jobs of the future.
For more information about Accord Power and this project, please visit www.accordpower.com or contact commercial@accordpowerinc.com. If you’re a New Yorker enrolled in Con Edison’s Energy Affordability Program please reach out to Solar One at enrollment@solar1.org.
About Accord Power, Solar One, and Partners
Accord Power Inc is a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and has been developing residential, commercial, and industrial solar photovoltaic systems and energy storage systems in NY and NJ since 2009; providing homeowners and businesses with electric savings for years while helping to reduce their carbon footprint. Accord Power is committed to serving their community by advancing clean energy solutions for a brighter, more sustainable future. Accord Power is leading on project development and solar installation and will be the long-term owner of the community solar projects.
Solar One is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2004 whose mission is to design and deliver innovative environmental education, green workforce training, and solar technical assistance that fosters sustainability and resiliency in diverse urban environments. Solar One is leading on community solar subscriber outreach and enrollment, as well as providing workforce training, high-school level internships, and sustainability workshops to the NYCHA residents.
Green City Force prepares young adults for careers in the growing green economy through national service. Based in New York City, their corps program recruits and trains young people from NYCHA and other affordable housing communities, equipping them with the skills needed for success in today’s workforce. Over the past 16 years, more than 800 NYCHA residents have served as AmeriCorps members through Green City Force. For this initiative, Green City Force will lead recruitment efforts among NYCHA residents and provide comprehensive support services looking to enter green jobs.
PowerMarket is a leading clean energy solutions provider with over 1 GW of community solar under management and 100,000 subscribers served. We provide turnkey acquisition, management, billing and support services to developers, financiers and the incumbent energy industry. Our company is employee-owned, mission-driven, and leverages its software engineering and energy policy expertise to deliver clean, local, affordable power to small businesses and residential customers — including those with low-to-moderate incomes (LMI) — on behalf of our clients.
Solar Uptown Now Services (S.U.N.S) Founded in 2019, SUNS was incubated by WE ACT for Environmental Justice. S.U.N.S. is the first minority- owned solar workers cooperative in the NYC area and will be working with Accord Power and installing the community solar projects at NYCHA campuses.
Press Contact: Daphne Aquije, daphne@solar1.org
Downloadable PDF Version of Joint Press Release
