From our May Newsletter, by Keisha Benjamin, Development Sr. Associate
Solar One is preparing for a summer season filled with community programming and public events for all ages, featuring hands-on learning and climate action initiatives across New York City. We’re creating more opportunities for communities to engage with our work in urban sustainability, youth education, clean energy workforce development, and building cultural connections with nature through green spaces. Through our growing partnerships and programs, we are advancing our mission of environmental justice that supports more equitable futures for all New Yorkers as we continue bringing people together around environmental action.
IN THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER:
- Climate Kids launches this June with free clean energy and STEM workshops for youth ages 7–12 at the Solar One Environmental Education Center
- NYC public schools can now apply for the 2026–27 Sustainability Project Grant and partner with Solar One for sustainability and green careers programming
- Join the Brooklyn Environmental Justice Arts Festival on May 30 with the Bronx & Brooklyn Energy Hub
- Here Comes Solar Harlem rally advocates for affordable solar access and lower energy costs for NYCHA communities
- Save the date for the July 3rd Powering the Possibilities Waterfront Event at Stuyvesant Cove Park for Sail250, with music, food trucks, and family-friendly sustainability activities
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLIMATE KIDS & SCHOOLS
Solar One is launching Climate Kids, a 5-week program for children aged 7-12. Every Monday in June, 4-5pm at the Environmental Education Center at Stuyvesant Cove Park. Feel free to drop in for one or all events!
During these workshops, children will experiment with solar circuit building, design wind turbines, build non-toxic batteries and other fun STEM activities. FREE and open to the public.
2026-27 SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT GRANT
Your NYC public school can apply for the 11th annual Sustainability Project Grant, awarding up to $5,000 in funding or materials to support your sustainability programming, including climate education, outdoor learning and play, waste reduction, environmental justice and more!
Schools can either apply for up to $5,000 in funding for a proposed project OR for material categories with pre-packaged kits.
Reach out to education@solar1.org if you want to partner to build a solar charging station at your school, would like a green careers technical training or environmental STEM programming at your school. We focus on solar, wind, air quality, energy storage, green building design and more!
Applications due on Monday, June 22. Winners will be notified in September 2026.
For more information, attend a virtual information session linked here: Thursday, June 4 (10-11 AM)
CONNECTING CULTURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
The Bronx and Brooklyn Energy Hub invites you to gather and connect at the Brooklyn Environmental Justice Arts Festival! Come enjoy local artists, performers, designers, and activists to celebrate creativity, connection, and collective care.
FREE EVENT: May 30, 2026 at 11am-3pm
Location: Brooklyn Navy Yard, New Lab
Celebrate creativity, community, and care for our planet—we hope to see you there!
Learn more about energy resource and careers in energy efficiency through Solar One’s partnership with the Bronx and Brooklyn Energy Hub.
ADVANCING COMMUNITY BASED AFFORDABLE SOLAR ACCESS & CLEAN ENERGY POLICY
Here Comes Solar convened a press rally at an affordable cooperative building in Harlem for Affordable Solar for Affordable Housing to highlight high-impact solutions to lower energy costs for NYC’s affordable housing and nonprofits. The event speakers called for the passage of state legislation (S.4272 / A.5959) to create a “Direct Pay” options for the NYC Solar and Storage Property Tax Abatement which would allow affordable housing and nonprofits to receive this incentive as a direct payment and unlock access to clean energy.
Speakers at the event included leadership at the RETI Center, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board, NYSEIA, Solar United Neighbors, SANE Energy, and the Senior Pastor of Staten Island’s First Central Baptist Church, as well as, the cooperative’s Board Secretary. All the speakers highlighted how a small policy fix can unlock major savings for affordable housing and nonprofits that would expand access to clean energy for New Yorkers who need it most.
Here Comes Solar’s Policy team is continuing to advocate to the Mayor’s Office for them to write a Letter of Support for this state legislation, and to ultimately pass this legislative session. Together, we can help ensure affordable housing communities and the organizations who serve them, are not left behind in New York’s clean energy transition.
The Solar One Policy team is continuing to advocate to the Mayor’s Office for them to write a Letter of Support for this state legislation, and to ultimately pass this legislative session. Together, we can help ensure affordable housing communities and the organizations who serve them, are not left behind in New York’s clean energy transition
Celebrating Energy Independence at Stuy Cove Park
We’re bringing the spirit of resiliency and sustainability with front-row views of the Sail250 river parade, with Class B tallships coming down the East River right at the waterfront of the Solar One Environmental Education Center!
We’ll have food trucks, drinks, a live DJ, and family friendly hands-on activities that will guide our community on how to live towards a more sustainable future.
🎟 Entry tickets are free with registration! Join Solar One: Powering Possibilities for the Next 250 at the Environmental Education Center on July 3rd.
Solar One is seeking sponsorships in support of this family-friendly event. Learn more about our sponsor levels here!
YOUR PERFECT OCCASION STARTS AT THE BRANT
While our Environmental Education Center operates as a beacon for classroom learning and community enrichment, it’s also serves as The Brant Event Space. Offering a memorable place to host your next special moment with stunning views of the East River and the Brooklyn and Queens waterfronts in New York City.
Learn more and start planning your event at solar1.org/the-brant-event-space
UPCOMING EVENTS WITH SOLAR ONE & FRIENDS
Snip & Stagger: A Chelsea Chop Pruning Party! (Hosted by Solar One)
Saturday, June 13, 2026 @ 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
https://givebutter.com/s1chelseachop
Rockaways Black Birders Week Celebration
Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/05/30/rockaways-black-birders-week-celebration
Building A Compost Sifter for Beginners
Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/05/30/building-a-compost-sifter-for-beginners
13th Annual LUNGS Spring Awakening
Saturday, May 30, 2026 @ 11:30 AM–5:00 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/05/30/lungs-spring-awakening
Urban Farm Volunteers
Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/05/31/urban-farm-volunteers
The Many Uses of Mushrooms
Sunday, May 31, 2026 @ 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/05/31/the-many-uses-of-mushrooms
Prospect Lefferts Garden Street Tree Care with Super Stewards
Saturday, June 6, 2026 @ 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/06/06/prospect-lefferts-garden-street-tree-care-with-super-steward
It’s My Park at Marcus Garvey Park
Saturday, June 6, 2026 @ 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/06/06/its-my-park-at-marcus-garvey-park
Pride Night on the Farm at Randalls Island Park
Saturday, June 6, 2026 @ 3:30 PM–8:30 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/06/06/pride-night-on-the-farm-volunteers
Juneteenth Garden Walk: Crops of the African Diaspora
Sunday, June 14, 2026 @ 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/06/14/juneteenth-garden-walk-crops-of-the-african-diaspora
Paint & Sip at the Garden
Friday, June 19, 2026 @ 4:00 PM–7:00 PM
https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2026/06/19/paint-sip-at-the-garden
About Solar One
Solar One is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to design and deliver innovative education, training, and technical assistance that fosters sustainability and resiliency in diverse urban environments. Solar One facilitates learning that changes the way people think about energy, sustainability, and resilience by engaging diverse program participants across NYC boroughs. Programs help individuals and communities explore new ways of living and working that are more adaptive to a climate-change impacted world. Learn more at solar1.org.
Solar One Media Contact
Daphne Aquije, daphne@solar1.org
