Today (Sept 24), New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei announced the start of work on the city's first solar energy canopy installation on a New York City parking garage, a project that will provide 784 kW of energy to power the garage and save the city an estimated $150,000 per year in energy costs. The project will be a model that will demonstrate how similar solar power systems can be replicated at other urban parking garages. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) are collaborating with DCAS to complete the project on the roof level of the Long Island City facility. DCAS contracted with NYPA to install the system at the NYCDOT Court Square parking garage at 45-40 Court Square W, Long Island City.
"DCAS is excited to partner with DOT and NYPA on this solar parking canopy,"said DCAS Commissioner Kitasei. "This project reflects an innovative approach to clean energy development, expanding solar power generation beyond building rooftops into new spaces across the city. The canopy will serve several purposes delivering clean energy to charge electric vehicles, shielding cars from the elements, and delivering cost savings to the city and New Yorkers."
"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector is key to delivering a safer and healthier climate for all,"said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "We are proud to partner with DCAS and NYPA to use our parking facility as a case study to test the potential of this innovative renewable energy technology."
"The Power Authority's partnership with New York City on this solar canopy project demonstrates how we can maximize existing infrastructure by turning everyday facilities into valuable, local power generation assets," said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. "We are making every effort to broaden access to zero-emission power to advance a stronger, more sustainable energy system."
The installation of a 784kW/DC, 480kW/AC canopy-mounted solar photovoltaic system atop an existing city parking garage is a first-use case, enabling the city to better inform and identify opportunities to install such canopies on additional city garage properties, and demonstrating the city's commitment to using all available space to advance its ambitious climate agenda. The project is expected to produce around 1,235,000kWh, the equivalent of approximately 300 NYC households' annual electricity use.
"This solar canopy shows how the city can rethink underused spaces like parking garages and turn them into assets for our clean energy future,"said Chief Decarbonization Officer and DCAS Deputy Commissioner of Energy Management Brian Chang. "Distributed generation across city facilities means a more reliable, adaptable grid for New Yorkers."
NYPA contracted Ramboll to build the system with Ameresco and Sunrise as the implementation subcontractors. Construction began earlier this summer. The system is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
The Court Square project will provide clean energy to the city and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation. In total, the project will reduce carbon emissions by 430 metric tons the equivalent of removing 900 cars from the road. The Court Square site already includes nine level 2 electric vehicle charging spaces and four fast charging spaces with four additional dual-port level 2 stations to be installed by NYPA as part of this project.
To date, the city has completed 220 solar installations across city facilities, totaling 35.9 megawatts of added renewable power to the city's portfolio. As part of this overall progress, DCAS also recently announced the completion of rooftop solar arrays on 130 public schools throughout New York City.
DCAS continues to identify innovative ways to advance solar project delivery. DCAS recently registered its first "design-build" procurement to expedite solar installation, with more such procurements to come. DCAS also recently announced the first-ever electric vehicle charging installation on Staten Island at The Michael J. Petrides School.
About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services
The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing city agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:
- Recruiting, hiring, and training city employees.
- Managing 56 public buildings.
- Acquiring, selling, and leasing city property.
- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for city agencies.
- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
- Leading the city's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.
Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas and by following us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.
About NYPA
The New York Power Authority is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Substack.
About NYC DOT
The New York City Department of Transportation's (NYC DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents. NYC DOT's staff manage an annual operating budget of $1.4 billion and a ten-year $33 billion capital program, along with 6,300 miles of streets and highways, over 12,000 miles of sidewalk, and approximately 800 bridges and tunnels, including the iconic East River bridges. The agency operates the Staten Island Ferry, serving 16 million annual riders. NYC DOT's staff also installs and maintains nearly one million street signs, 13,250 signalized intersections, over 315,000 streetlights, and over 350 million linear feet of markings.
