Brooklyn Launches Community Solarize Program

May 18, 2015 — For nearly a decade, NYSERDA has led the charge in the green energy business for multifamily buildings, offering buildings hefty incentives for making improvements that reduce a building's energy usage. Unfortunately, rebates are dwindling, and there are other changes on the horizon — the application process, for example, could change or be phased out entirely. No, it's not easy going green. But now, Brooklyn Community Board 6 has launched Solarize Brooklyn CB6, a limited-time group purchasing program led by Sustainable CUNY and the NY Solar Partnership with New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Mayor's Office of Sustainability. The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and the NY-Sun Initiative and is designed to make investing in solar power easier and more affordable for participating residents and businesses. Historically, a solarize campaign lowers the cost of going solar by 10 to 20 percent. Solarize Brooklyn CB6 is available for both residents and businesses in the neighborhoods of Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Columbia Street District, Gowanus, Park Slope and Red Hook. By increasing New Yorkers' access to solar power through lower prices and a simplified process, Solarize Brooklyn CB6 is contributing to the mayor's goals and specific targets for a sustainable, resilient, and equitable city laid out in the OneNYC plan. The comprehensive plan for a sustainable and resilient city aims to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050, over 2005 levels. We'll be taking a closer look at this green campaign later this week, so watch this space.