New York Solar Map Helps Buildings Soak Up the Sun

In a green initiative timed to coincide with the summer solstice, the nation’s first statewide Solar Map and Portal was launched Monday at the 10th annual New York Solar Summit. The comprehensive interactive website features a “draw solar” tool that provides buildings anywhere in the state with detailed technical and economic calculations, plus contacts with accredited solar installers.

Buildings in New York City and Westchester County also have access to LiDAR – surveying technology that accounts for shading from trees, nearby buildings, and other obstructions to direct sunlight. Co-op and condo boards will find information on resources and programs available in their local community through the website’s “In Your Area” feature.

The City University of New York’s Sustainable CUNY project worked with technology experts and solar leaders to design and build the website, with support from NY Sun Initiative and the U.S. Department of Energy.

CUNY Chancellor James Milliken called the NY Solar Map and Portal “a robust interactive tool that puts data and information at the fingertips of all New Yorkers.”