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Clean Energy Generation
Program Overview
Through the Clean Energy Program, DCAS works to expand distributed energy resources, including solar PV and energy storage installations across the City's portfolio of properties. The City has established a goal of installing 100 Megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) on City-owned buildings by the end of 2030, and 150 MW by the end of 2035, as set forth by Local Law 99 of 2024. In 2024, DCAS assessed all City-owned buildings larger than 10,000 gross square feet for solar readiness and identified nearly 29 MW of rooftop solar potential. As of 2024, the Clean Energy Program has over 40 MW of solar PV projects in progress, and 30.5 MW of completed installations. These installations encompass traditional rooftop solar to more innovative applications including solar canopies at parking lots, garages, and wastewater treatment plants, as well as combined solar plus storage projects.
DCAS also incorporates educational and workforce development opportunities into its clean energy efforts. DCAS funds the NYC Solar Schools Education Program, a solar training for teachers in public schools in partnership with the not-for-profit organization Solar One, and offers solar training for City employees with a focus on operations and maintenance.
Relevant Local Laws
Local Law 24 and Local Law 99
In 2016, the City passed LL24 to enhance public awareness of the City’s efforts to install solar PV on City property. Under LL24, DCAS is required to assess the solar PV potential of all City-owned buildings over 10,000 gross square feet once every two years. Special focus is given to identifying and quantifying potential capacity at solar-ready buildings, which are defined as buildings that have roofs that are no more than 10 years old and in fair or good condition. This law was expanded as of October 2024 to require 100 MW of solar to be installed on City properties by 2030 and 150 MW by 2035, now known as Local Law 99.
Local Law 92 and Local Law 94
In April 2019, the New York City Council passed Local Law 92 (LL92) and Local Law 94 (LL94). These laws require all buildings undergoing roof decking replacement and any newly constructed buildings to have a sustainable roofing zone — a solar PV system, a green roof, or a combination of both. DCAS is available to help agency partners navigate these laws.
Solar Progress
So far, DCAS has installed 30.5 MW of solar PV panels across 187 facilities, fulfilling 30% of the City's goal to install 100 MW of solar by the end of 2030. Between 2021 to the end of 2023, DCAS has more than doubled the megawatt capacity of PV installed on City property from 11 MW to over 24 MW.
How to Participate
DCAS selects City buildings for solar installations in close coordination with our agency partners. In general, we prioritize City buildings that are 10,000 gross square feet or larger, have roofs no more than 10 years old, and roofs that are in a state of good repair. Working closely with our agency energy partners, we identify facilities across the entire city owned portfolio based on these criteria and install solar PV projects with the procurement mechanisms available to DCAS.