Tomorrow, January 31, there will be a combo celebration/education event promoting sunny solar power!! The Brooklyn Green Team will celebrate, “One year of Action” at Bar Reis in Brooklyn.  Other environmental organizations will be present including Solar One which will be set up to educate guests on why NYC is a prime candidate for building a solar power system with Photovoltaics (PV).  They will be explaining their legislative initiative to make NY the region’s solar capital and will be set up for you to write letters to your legislators straightaway.

Last week, I attended an event about Solar Power organized by the Metro NYC Environmental Meetup group.  It was held at Solar One where Chris Neidl presented a thorough investigation of the reasons why NYC is a prime location for generating solar power.  NYC uses more energy than some developed countries.  We also use energy intensely and creatively for all kinds of artistic, innovative endeavors.  So, we need a better type of electricity to power our urban culture.  There are so many characteristics that make NYC a good candidate for going solar.  Here’s a list of a few of them:

• New York is 65% sunnier than Germany; currently the # 1 producer of solar power from PVs. If they can do it so can we.
• NYC has an abundance of flat surfaces— roofs! for installing PV panels
• Generating our own energy within the city limits could greatly reduce our drain on the regional energy grid during times of peak use-the summer, and so decrease blackouts.
• We use the greatest amount of energy (in summer) when the sun is shining brightest.  By installing PV panels on our rooftops we could be generating power right when we need it most—creating synergistic events!
• The price of PV technology continues to decrease with increased acceptance.  Part of the price includes labor costs and this decreases as installers become more efficient and knowledgeable with each installation.
• PV technology would displace building generators (kick in during times of peak energy demand) which create lots of particulate matter, contributing to smog, which exacerbates asthma.  Going solar would clean up our air and our children’s health.

In this video, a group of tenants share their story of how they went about putting solar panels on their Manhattan apartment building.  It’s a great example of a group working with NY State legislators to expand government incentives for solar power to a greater section of the population.  For more information on the New York Solar Initiative, click here.

How cool would it be to let the sun power the city that never sleeps?