Go Solar in Brooklyn! – 350 Brooklyn

You don’t need to install panels on your roof to support clean energy or lower your electricity costs. New York offers multiple ways for Brooklyn residents, renters, and building owners to participate in solar power.

How Solar Power Works (and Common Myths)

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. That electricity flows into the power grid, the same grid Con Edison delivers electricity from today. When solar energy is produced, it reduces the amount of fossil-fuel electricity the grid needs. Many people think solar only works if panels are installed on their own roof. In cities like New York, many people participate in solar through shared systems called “community solar.” And solar panels produce electricity throughout the year, whenever the sun shines.

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There’s More! Help Expand Solar in New York

Persuade our elected officials to pass legislation that would make solar more accessible.

Many groups, including 350Brooklyn’s Legislation team, are advocating for three excellent bills in Albany.

Accelerated Solar for Affordable Power Act (the ASAP Act) would standardize expedited permitting statewide for residential, commercial, and community solar, making it easier to get solar built. (S6570A/Harkham; A8758A/Barrett) Read more.
Solar Up Now New York Act (the SUNNY Act) would allow individuals to use small-scale plug-in solar (“balcony solar”) in their homes and businesses without requiring them to go through a permitting process. (S8512A/Kruger; A9111/Gallagher) Read more.
Automated Solar Permitting Act would standardize the permitting process for solar throughout the state, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for contractors and developers. (S5781A/Harkham; A6270B/Cunningham)

Want to get involved? Email .

Push the New York City Department of Education to speed up its work to install solar on schools.

The Green, Healthy Schools campaign, supported by a wide range of organizations, advocates for upgrades to our 1,200 school buildings including installing solar and improving their heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems.

Want to get involved? Contact Climate Families NYC at https://www.climatefamiliesnyc.org/green-healthy-schools

Why This Matters for Brooklyn

Electricity generation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in New York. Expanding solar reduces pollution, improves public health, and helps stabilize long-term energy costs for residents.

Interested but not sure where to start?