Largest solar installation in New York City completed in Staten Island
The largest solar energy system in New York City was installed this week in Staten Island, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced.
The 3.1-megawatt solar array will provide energy for Fordham University and Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx.
“This solar installation project on Staten Island, the largest in New York City, will provide clean energy and help protect the environment,” Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “The system further supports the state’s aggressive goal of 50 percent of electricity coming from renewable energy sources by 2030. While the federal government turns its back on protecting the environment, we’re continuing to work to combat climate change in New York.”
The project is made up of more than 9,000 solar panels and will generate nearly four million kilowatt hours of clean solar energy each year. This will offset 20 percent of Fordham University’s electricity use and 37 percent of Fordham Preparatory School’s use. The panels were installed on approximately 10 acres of industrial property in Staten Island.
“This new solar installation reflects Fordham University’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and the environment. We were very pleased to be able to partner with Governor Cuomo’s initiative, Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) for New York,” Marco Valera, vice president for Facilities Management at Fordham University, said. “In addition to the Staten Island solar array, which will provide 2.6 Megawatt of solar power to the University, we have entered into an agreement with EnterSolar to install a new solar array of approximately 1 Megawatt on the roof our parking facility at our Rose Hill, Bronx, campus. This makes Fordham a leader in solar power both in the state and in the City of New York.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s has mandated that 50 percent of electricity in the state must come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
“Governor Cuomo continues to lead the nation in his efforts to ensure New Yorkers have access to affordable energy to combat climate change. This solar array is the latest example of how the state is investing in clean energy technologies and partnering with the private sector to reimagine our electric grid for the benefit of consumers and the environment,” Richard Kauffman, chairman for Energy and Finance, said.
The solar project uses remote net metering, which means that solar that is installed at one site can offset electric bills for customers at different locations.
“Fordham Prep is pleased to be a partner as this project advances Fordham Prep’s mission by striving for a sustainable environment and teaches our students to be responsible stewards of our natural resources. As a Catholic Jesuit school this partnership helps us answer the call issued by Pope Francis, who invites us to protect the global environment because it is sacred, both for its own God-given value and for the life and dignity of all humankind,” president of Fordham Preparatory School, Rev. Christopher Devron, SJ, said.
Some of the funding comes from Cuomo’s $1 billion NY-Sun initiative. NY-Sun is designed to scale-up solar across the state. Solar energy in New York State has increased more than 1,000 percent since 2011.
“As the largest state-supported solar array in New York City, this project helps move the state closer to meeting Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading clean energy goals and is a tremendous example of how the state is working with private entities to combat climate change. I congratulate all of the partners associated with the project for their dedication to ensuring its successful completion and commend Fordham University and Fordham Prep for their clean energy leadership,” Alicia Barton, president and CEO at NYSERDA, said.
The system was designed and installed by New York City-based EnterSolar.
“This project is a pinnacle for solar in New York City, and New York State,” Paul Ahern, president at EnterSolar, said. “Today, we are demonstrating that solar works and works well in even the most populous of urban environments. We hope that this public/private partnership project serves as an example for how corporations can partner with state & municipal governments and public utilities to promote the deployment of distributed renewable energy generation.”
