Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer today issued a report revealing that the installation of solar panels on the roofs of New York City public schools could produce thousands of new jobs, and clean energy for the City. “Solar energy installations and public schools are a perfect match,” said Stringer. “This is an idea whose time has come--a cost-effective, sensible program that will create jobs, lower energy bills and save tax dollars for decades to come.”

The Borough President stressed that “this is no pie in the sky proposal,” noting that such programs have been launched with great success in California and New Jersey, as well as in Denver, CO, Portland, OR, San Jose, CA, Rockville, MD and Milpitas, CA. Massive solar programs are also underway in Germany and China. “New York City should be a global leader, not a follower, in expanding our region’s solar economy,” Stringer said.

Using the City University of New York’s NYC Solar Map, Stringer developed new data showing these installations could host 169.46 megawatts of clean, renewable electricity and eliminate 76,696 tons of carbon from the air each year – the equivalent of planting over 400,000 trees. It would also increase solar capacity in the five boroughs by over 2,600 percent.

The Borough President also noted that that solar installations on New York’s City’s public school roofs could create an estimated 5,423 green collar jobs and help boost growth of the green economy for decades to come, according to an analysis by the advocacy organization New Energy New York.

The Borough President said the key to launching such efforts are so-called Power Purchase Agreements – in which private vendors use renewable energy credits to install and maintain solar panels in exchange for a portion of future savings. Under these plans, New Jersey and California have installed nearly 500 and 1,000 megawatts of solar energy respectively. By contrast, New York City boasts a paltry 6.5 megawatts of publicly and privately owned solar electricity. In fact, New Jersey has become the nation’s fastest growing market for solar energy.

“At a time when New York City’s working families are struggling to make ends meet and our tax dollars are stretched to the limit, we need to stop talking about solar energy and start making it a genuine job producer,” Stringer said, appearing at a press conference on Hunter College’s Solar Roof. “Building out the rooftops of our public school buildings—many of which are uniquely suited for solar arrays, given their generally large footprints -- is a good place to start.”

“Schools could be just the beginning,” Stringer said. “If every rooftop in the city were properly fitted with solar energy installations, estimates from CUNY suggest we could generate half of New York’s peak energy supply. We would also be creating a powerful new teaching tool for our students to learn about sustainable energy, climate change and a host of other science, technology, engineering and math-related topics.”

The Borough President’s report concluded that in order to facilitate new solar electricity in New York, the State must pass the Solar Jobs Act, which is currently pending before the legislature. This measure would establish a system of renewable energy credits, help foster a stable investment climate for power purchase agreements and ultimately create tens of thousands of jobs and generate billions in new revenue – all at an estimated cost of thirty-nine cents per month to New York ratepayers.

 “I call on the legislature to pass The Solar Jobs Act,” Borough President Stringer continued. “And I urge all New Yorkers to join me in a campaign to make solar energy a key part of our push for new jobs, cheaper energy bills and tax savings.”

Assemblyman Steve Englebright: “I would like to applaud Borough President Stringer for his leadership in bringing sustainable solar power to the forefront of his priorities this year.  Through his “Rooftop Revolution” initiative, President Stringer has convincingly illustrated how the installation of solar panels on buildings can make New York a green economy leader and create sustainable energy jobs.”

State Senate Democratic Leader John L. Sampson “Green is not only good for the environment but also good for the wallet. Solar energy will benefit New Yorkers by creating much needed jobs, lowering sky-high energy costs and reducing our carbon footprint. I commend Borough President Stringer for working toward making New York both cleaner and greener.” 

State Senator Tom Duane “As a co-sponsor of the New York Solar Jobs Act, I appreciate Borough President Stringer’s release of this report, which helps make the case for passage of this important legislation. We need to incentivize the rapid and sustainable development of a robust solar power industry in New York, which will create high quality jobs and low-cost, clean energy -- not only for our public schools but also for other institutions, businesses and consumers.”

State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester) "We have a prime opportunity to make New York a leader in the new energy economy and to make our state energy independent one rooftop at a time," said Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, (D-Bronx/ Westchester). "I thank Manhattan Borough President Stringer for his leadership on this issue. It is my hope that this report is a one more step toward a brighter future in New York City and in New York State." 

New York Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Peter M. Rivera "Clean energy is the way of the future and in time of economic recovery is the job-creating investment we should be making. Solar energy in New York is underutilized and large scale public utilization is way overdue.  This is why I am proud to support the New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act which will stimulate the installation and generation of solar energy in New York State."

Assemblyman James Brennan "I congratulate Borough President Stringer on this important report promoting the use of solar energy in New York City and the rest of the state.  State legislation which I support and which should be passed this session would create powerful incentives to encourage development of solar energy yielding emmense benefits for the economy."

Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo "The Solar Jobs Act must be a priority for all of us in order to create thousands of new jobs and further improve our energy supply sources. I believe Borough President Stringer's initiative proposes a creative framework to tap into the city's unused resources, produce clean energy and create new jobs across the entire city of New York".

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz “It is high time we expand solar renewable energy in New York. This does not only make sense from an environmental point of view but will also spur on the new green economy of the future. That is why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the NY Solar Jobs Act. I applaud President Stringer for his leadership in calling for examining how solar panels can be installed in school rooftops.”

Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, a member of the Assembly's Environmental Conservation Committee and a sponsor of the NY Solar Jobs Act "By extracting and burning ever greater amounts of coal, oil, and gas, we are rapidly destroying our planet's capacity to sustain life as we know it. I applaud Borough President Stringer for his consistent leadership on environmental and sustainability issues and for highlighting the need to do everything we can to develop solar energy and other alternative sources." 

 Assemblyman Guillermo Linares “What a better way to improve our economy and create jobs than protecting our environment by creating sustainable solar renewable energy generated locally.” Said Assemblyman Linares.  “I applaud Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, for his Rooftop Revolution initiative.  New York City schools should be the first step in moving forward to expand renewable solar energy across New York City."

Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman Statement  “As a New York State Assemblywoman, I sponsored legislation which would establish The Solar Jobs Act, making our State a leader by accelerating investments in solar power.   I am pleased Borough President Scott Stringer’s report “Rooftop Revolution” examines how installation of solar panels will help create green jobs and help residents of New York City to pay less for energy. Stringer’s report demonstrates the importance of solar projects for our future.”

Assemblyman Alan Maisel "I applaud Borough President Scott Stringer for his fervent support of his green energy initiatives; this is precisely what we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal  “New York City is one of the world’s largest producers of carbon pollution, which speeds climate change and leads to a host of illnesses for some of the most vulnerable citizens among us, including senior citizens and young children," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), who represents Manhattan's Upper West Side and parts of Clinton/Hell's Kitchen..  At a time when New York is foolishly considering opening nearly 85% of the Marcellus and Utica Shales to the dangerous practice of hydrofracking, it is incumbent upon us to explore safe and alternative sources to meet growing energy demand and address the serious environmental and health challenges presented by dirty and dangerous energy sources.  Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer’s plan to install photovoltaic panels on New York City public school buildings is forward-thinking and one that I fully support.  Demonstrating the potential of solar energy to young people will help create a generation of citizens who understand the benefits of solar energy and will also help New York to meet it growing need for energy in the 21^st Century.”

Assemblyman Keith Wright, Chairman of the State Assembly Labor Committee "As the President said two days ago, green jobs are necessary to move our nation forward. By investing in solar power and training our citizens on how to work in this new field, we are investing in the well being of our environment and our economy. I am a sponsor of the New York Solar Industry Development and Jobs Act, which would create a market for solar energy credits and spur the development of solar jobs throughout our State, jobs our residents need and jobs our environment deserves. I thank Borough President Stringer for continuing his leadership on this issue and I applaud him for his support of this vital legislation.”

Councilman Dan Garodnick "New York City's population is growing, and with it, so are its energy demands" said Council Member Dan Garodnick, who was a leader in streamlining the adoption of solar power through solar empowerment zones while co-chair of the City Council's Infrastructure Task Force.  "Solar power offers us the opportunity to meet these challenges by putting thousands of New Yorkers to work and making our City greener and more efficient in the process." 

Read more about the report in coverage from The Wall Street Journal, NY1, The New York Observer, Gothamist and The Epoch Times. 

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