New Solar Project in Brooklyn Aims to Advance Climate Justice and Community Ownership

A transformative solar initiative is set to take root in Brooklyn, New York, offering a model for climate justice and local economic empowerment. In 2025, a 725-kilowatt community solar array will begin construction atop a former military base in Sunset Park, a working-class neighborhood home to a diverse population of Asian, Latino, and immigrant families. The project, driven by grassroots organization UPROSE, will provide energy bill savings for approximately 150 local households while also supporting broader community wealth-building efforts.

Sunset Park Solar represents a unique collaboration between UPROSE, renewable energy developer Working Power, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation. The project will offer a 20% discount on utility bills to participating households, totaling around $1.24 million in savings over 25 years. The energy generated will be sold to the grid, and proceeds will fund local programs that foster sustainability, such as additional solar installations.

This initiative is part of UPROSE’s ongoing efforts to address environmental inequities and reduce the area’s exposure to harmful air pollution. The solar array is one of several climate resilience projects being developed in the neighborhood, which is also home to the Brooklyn Army Terminal, now being revitalized as a clean energy hub.

Nationally, community solar projects are gaining traction, with nearly 8 gigawatts (GW) of capacity installed in the U.S. by mid-2024. These projects help expand access to solar power for those who can’t install panels on their own properties, particularly renters and low-income residents. The success of Sunset Park Solar could provide a blueprint for future community-driven renewable energy projects that combine environmental and economic benefits.

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