Our Sustainability Initiatives - Project Solar

 

StuyTown has rooftops. A lot of rooftops. And we had an idea: Project Solar.

Project Solar included the installation of 9,671 solar panels distributed over our 22 acres of rooftops, making it the largest private multi-family rooftop solar array in the United States. We worked closely with the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, conEdison, SolarOne, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, and Onyx Renewable Partners to bring this initiative to reality, and we couldn’t be more excited – our solar array alone will double Manhattan’s current solar capacity.

Why did we do this? Because it’s the right thing to do. As the largest rental community in not just the city of New York but the nation, we are committed to improving the community every day and making the property as energy-efficient and Eco-friendly as possible. A series of environmental sustainability initiatives have already reduced our on-site greenhouse gas emissions by 15% since 2007, and the technologically sophisticated building management tools we’ve installed over the past 10 years have earned us ENERGY STAR® certification three years in a row. We’re the first multi-family building in NYC to receive this distinction, and we’re proud to be the leaders in multi-family sustainability.

Project Solar will generate 6% of the total energy consumed by StuyTown's 110 residential addresses, or enough energy to power 1,035 typical NYC apartments each year. This is the equivalent to removing 368 cars from the road and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1,577 tons annually. We hope our project will have ripple effects for other building owners and managers not just in NYC, but the country.

As with all projects SPS undertakes, the impact this will have on our residents is important to us. The solar panels are mounted to all rooftops with a 5-degree tilt and aren't visible from the ground. They also don't affect the integrity of the rooftops and do not interfere with our native wildlife.

We’re taking the opportunity to create educational areas for the community to learn how the system works, with the help of the non-profit organization Solar One. And the best part? No portion of the cost of Project Solar will be passed on to residents.

The solar installation is a redoubling of our commitment to the NYC Carbon Challenge, which supports New York City’s goal to reduce carbon emissions 80% by the year 2050. StuyTown is a leader in multi-family sustainability.