March 1, 2021

Installations will generate 22 megawatts of solar power and energy storage—and help to accelerate city and state clean energy goals

New York City and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced the selection of two firms to install rooftop solar arrays on nearly 50 public schools across the five boroughs, the Wards Island Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in Manhattan, and three other water treatment facilities in Westchester, Delaware, and Ulster counties. The solar arrays will generate as much as 22 megawatts of solar power, enough to power 5,600 City residences, and reduce nearly 7,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent each year, which equates to removing more than 1,500 cars from city streets. Several of these facilities are expected to include energy storage systems that will store energy for use during periods of peak electricity demand.

“For many decades DEP has utilized its water and wastewater facilities to produce renewable energy and these new projects expand on our commitment to maximizing their clean energy potential,” said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “DEP’s campus-style facilities are unique and prime real estate for megawatt-scale solar projects and we will continue to look for new ways to expand our renewable energy portfolio.”

“Our schools are not only tackling climate change in the classroom, but also on the rooftop,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “New solar installations on schools and other public facilities will generate green energy that will help achieve Mayor de Blasio’s goal of reducing citywide emissions 80% by 2050.”

“Solar plus storage projects, especially on such a scale as these projects, will help both New York State and New York City work in lockstep to boost the availability of renewable power and achieve our mutual green energy goals,” said NYPA President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones. “Bringing solar energy to New York City facilities in diverse neighborhoods will help supply affordable, clean and reliable electricity throughout the five boroughs and support the state mandate for a 100 percent carbon-free electricity sector by 2040.”

At Wards Island, a combination of ground-mounted, carport, rooftop and elevated canopy solar PV systems will be installed throughout the eight-facility complex, totaling over seven megawatts of solar PV capacity. Solar power generated will serve the loads of the plant, and a battery energy storage system will reduce peak energy demand. An additional 1.5 megawatts of capacity is expected to be installed at three City-owned facilities in the watershed, including the Catskill-Delaware Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Facility in Valhalla.

In addition, solar installations are currently planned for 47 Department of Education (DOE) buildings spanning all five boroughs. Carbon emissions from public schools account for nearly one-third of emissions from the City’s building portfolio. With solar powering these schools, the City is continuing to reduce carbon emissions while also offering opportunities for students to learn about the importance of fighting climate change. This project will incorporate a new clean power source into the school district’s infrastructure and allow the City to purchase power generated on-site as opposed to purchasing power from a utility company that may not use a renewable source.

ENGIE will design, construct, own and operate the solar PV systems at the DOE sites while Ameresco will perform the same tasks at Wards Island and the other DEP sites. NYPA, acting as the clean energy advisor, will manage the projects to ensure they progress on budget and on time.

The City and NYPA conducted site assessments to identify the most feasible and appropriate locations to install solar PV systems to help the City achieve its renewable energy goals. Selected locations, amounting to nearly 70% of the total capacity, also support the City’s efforts to advance environmental justice as many of the sites are in areas with poorer air quality and lower median incomes. The project sites are anticipated to be interconnected behind the meter to buildings’ electrical systems.

This initiative will help achieve Mayor Bill de Blasio’s goal of installing 100 MW of solar power on public buildings by 2025 and reducing citywide emissions 80 percent by 2050. The initiative also will help achieve Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s statewide goal of having 70 percent of New York’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. NYPA will administer 20-year power purchase agreements for the City to buy the electricity output from each of the projects being managed by Ameresco and ENGIE. Operation of the systems is expected to come online throughout 2021 and 2022.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8.3 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $20.1 billion in investments over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.