Project Traits

State: New York

Congressional District: NY10

Organization Type: NGO

Partner Organization(s) Type: None or Unknown

Energy Sector: Clean Power,

Energy Subsector: Solar,

Project Start Year: 2017

Project Launch Year: 2025

Government Support Received: Unknown

Outcomes & Impacts

Private Investment: Unknown

Jobs Announced or Created: Unknown

People Served: 150

Projected Economic Impact: $1,240,000

UPROSE has been working to develop the Sunset Park Solar project since 2017, as part of its broader vision for curbing excessive air pollution and creating climate resiliency in the neighborhood. After years of forming partnerships, and repairs to the building’s rooftop, the solar array is finally expected to begin producing power by the end of this year.

Construction will begin early this year on the 725-kilowatt array, which is spearheaded by the grassroots organization UPROSE and will span the roof of a former military supply base. The project is expected to reduce the energy bills of some 150 participating households in Sunset Park — a mainly working-class neighborhood of Asian, Latino, and immigrant communities. Revenue from selling power to the grid will go into a community wealth fund that allows residents to invest in local programs, including potentially more solar.

Households that subscribe to the solar array will receive about a 20 percent discount on their utility bills, resulting in a combined $1.24 million in savings over 25 years — money that could help defray the rising energy expenses that many families face. UPROSE said that the array is expected to cost at least $2.7 million to build, which the partners plan to finance through grants, loans, and tax credits from government and other sources.