As part of its efforts to make Bedford Stuyvesant a model for urban sustainability, Restoration is exploring how to connect residents with affordable and sustainable sources of energy. The New York Community Solar Confluence will bring together community-based organizations, neighborhood residents, advocates for renewable energy, solar developers, local officials, and funders of programs for low income communities and renewable energy projects to learn about community solar models nationwide and opportunities to bring community solar to people across New York State.
Among the speakers are groups that have led successful community solar initiatives around the country and solar experts from New York. Participants will outline obstacles and brainstorm the key ingredients to bringing community solar to New York State—the policy and financing solutions, organizing efforts and other initiatives. This event is part of a series of community solar “confluences,” similar events happening in Boston, Denver, and San Francisco. Dinner will be provided. The event is FREE, but donations are welcome.
Presentations by:
Joy Hughes, Founder of Solar Gardens Institute
David Brosch, Founder of University Park Solar
Peter Olmsted, Mid-Atlantic Solar Advocate, The Vote Solar Initiative
Tom Price, Director of Policy and Market Strategy, Clean Path
Max Joel, Energy Connections Program Director, Solar One
Laurie Reilly, Communications Director, Sustainable CUNY
Discussion and brainstorming will follow
PLEASE RSVP TO: rsvp@solargardens.org
What is community solar?
Community solar refers to programs that bring solar power to communities through collective efforts and pooling of resources, generally either through the installation of large solar PV systems with community members owning or subscribing to proportional shares in the system or a process where neighbors join together to collectively install PV systems on their own homes.
Community Solar Could Benefit ALL New Yorkers
Community solar provides opportunities to New York City residential and commercial renters and building owners to go solar, and is especially beneficial to low-income communities that are unable to afford the high upfront costs of solar. Community solar benefits all New Yorkers, including upstate communities, by offering opportunities for farmers and rural communities to supplement their income by leasing their land to clean energy projects. To learn more about community solar and solar gardens, please visit: http://www.solargardens.org/frequently-asked-questions/
Co-Sponsors: Solar Gardens Institute, Pratt Center for Community Development, El Puente, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, Inc., Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A, Solar One, Water Defense, Center for Social Inclusion, Sustainable CUNY and NYSERDA.