As City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality passes, see NYC residential buildings with solar panels

The Solaire (Evan Joseph)New York is known for its grand ambitions, and those apply to climate change as well. In the last days of 2023, the New York City Council approved a package of zoning changes that make it easier for property owners to embrace climate-friendly projects. Such measures include rewriting rules on where high-performance walls can be added to better insulate buildings, broadening the limits on the number of solar panels that can be installed on a roof, and opening up swaths of the city to electric vehicle charging stations and electric building infrastructures. Also known as the City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality, this will help New York in its highly ambitious “80x50” target of reducing carbon emission 80% by 2050.

"Removing barriers to creating a greener, more sustainable city is vital to fighting climate change and preparing our city for the long-term future” – Adrienne Adams, Speaker, New York City Council

The council approved the changes in a 38-8 vote, and a number of architects, city officials, borough presidents, and environmental activists spent a public review period speaking in favor of them. The changes took effect five days after the council vote, and shortly before the city was set to begin enforcing Local Law 97, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by buildings, in January 2024.

However, certain buildings are ahead of the game, having already installed solar panels, sometimes years ago. Residents have noticed a difference in their electric bills, and building management has warmed to it in the wake of tax abatements.

Could we see more of the city's roofs looking like this? (StuyTown Property Services) 900-West-190th-Street-01

Cabrini Terrace (Compass)

Cabrini Terrace was one of the first multifamily buildings in New York City to install solar panels, having installed a photovoltaic system atop the co-op's garage in 2007. The building sits at one of the highest points in Manhattan, eliminating concerns about being in shadow. The backup energy provided can be used for elevators and water pumps in case of blackouts. Years after the installation, other buildings look to it as a solar energy success story.

Cabrini Terrace, #14S (Corcoran Group)

The River Arts (Compass)

Google earth aerial showing the solar arrays atop River ArtsInspired by Cabrini Terrace’s success, the pre-war cooperative The River Arts installed its solar panels in 2009. They also went one step further and added composting bins that make it easier for residents to go green, especially as mandatory composting is set to begin in Manhattan in October 2024.

The River Arts, #2E (Compass)

The Solaire with its facade partly composed of photovoltaic cells Solar cells embedded into the facadeA short time ago, The Solaire was converted from a rental to a sales building with upgrades to the interiors and amenities. However, the team wisely left the photovoltaic panels, rainwater irrigation system, and other environmentally friendly features alone in recognition of their importance to the building’s sustainable brand. Residents clearly appreciate that - it was one of New York's best-selling buildings of 2022.

The Solaire, #3M (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)

Developed by the Durst Organization, The Helena is a 38-story, 580-unit residential rental building in Hell's Kitchen. The tower incorporates two independent Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems by altPOWER —one at the entrance canopy and the other at the mechanical bulkhead atop the building.

The entrance canopy features variously sized glass panels with embedded PV cells. For the bulkhead, standard panels are integrated into a tailor-made mounting system, forming a distinctive row of blue strips that enhance the building's aesthetics. The Helena proudly holds LEED Gold Certification.

The Verdesian, situated in Battery Park City, comprises 252 residential rental units. The custom solar modules by altPower feature a blue cell, creating a highly visible array from the street below. The high-rise achieved the distinction of being the first in the United States to receive Platinum LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building opened in 2006 and was designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and developed by the Albanese Organization

Image via altPower

Tribeca Green, a recent condop conversion in Battery Park City, features solar panels integrated into bays at the top of the building, specifically on the east, west, and south-facing walls of the bulkhead. This marked the pioneering use of SunPower's higher-efficiency panels in New York City. As a LEED Certified building, Tribeca Green also encompasses various other environmentally friendly features.

Tribeca Green, #11A (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)

The Visionaire (Douglas Elliman)

Several blocks south of The Solaire, The Visionaire’s curved glass facade by Pelli Clarke Pelli sets it apart in its Battery Park City neighborhood. The custom modules by altPower incorporate a blue cell, making the solar array very visible from the street below. The integrated solar paneling is used to generate a portion of the building’s electric load.

The Visionaire, #14C (HomeDax Real Estate LLC)

Atelier (Compass)via Samba EnrgyIn recent years, Atelier has generated headlines for its extensive array of amenities and jaw-dropping incentives. It is further distinguished by the rooftop of 85 solar panels which produces an estimated 26,000 kilowatt hours per year and reduces the building’s carbon footprint by over 125,000 pounds annually. Perched more than 50 stories high, the solar array is the highest in the city.

Atelier, #32J (Sothebys International Realty)

225 Eighth Avenue (Compass)

The prewar building at 225 Eighth Avenue is located in the heart of the Park Slope Historic District, which keeps the area looking similar to the way it did 100 years ago. However, the board of this co-op recently installed solar panels on the roof to keep up with the times and reduce electrical costs.

408 Saint John's Place (Compass)Over the past few years, prices in Prospect Heights have steadily climbed (CityRealty data puts the current condo average at $1,316 per square foot, or just less than double what it was 10 years ago). However, solar panels on the roof of 408 Saint Johns Place help residents save both energy and money. Stuytown NYC

Stuyvesant Town - Peter Cooper Village (StuyTown)

With 9,671 solar panels distributed over 22 acres of rooftops, Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village is home to the largest residential solar project in the United States. A project announcement called it “the equivalent to removing 11,972 cars from the road.”

Lexe (DDReps)

Some of these aforementioned buildings are older properties that have installed their rooftop solar panels in recent years. However, solar panels were a part of Lexe’s construction from the start. This, along with the building’s airtight seal and triple-pane windows, was instrumental in the building’s Passive House certification.

Lexe Passive House, #1N (Compass)

126 West 132nd Street (Compass)

126 West 132nd Street is congruent with its neighbors in terms of height and materials, but the townhouse is in fact just over 20 years old. This comes through in the home’s infrastructure, which includes Nest thermostats, skylights with rain sensors, and solar panels that, according to the listing, “chop the electric bill in half.”

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