Of the rooftops in New York City, around two-thirds could utilize solar panels to harness power for the grid, resulting in a decrease in the chance of blackouts and eliminating the need for generators at times of peak usage.  At the moment, solar energy provides New York City with six megawatts of electricity, however production has the potential to reach up to 13,000 megawatts.  Considering a mandate has been passed that requires 30% of New York's power to come from renewable energies by 2015, the city is informing the public about the technology in creative and interactive ways.  


Recently, a map was developed by City University of New York (CUNY) that can be used to determine the overall project and costs involved in installing a photovoltaic system.  CUNY teamed up with the Department of Energy (DOE) and used a $200,000 grant to create this detailed map of the city.  Using laser beams, they were able to develop an interactive map which contains 15 billion points of data throughout the city.  This map can be used to determine the amount of solar needed for household or business, how much the system will cost, and how long it will take the homeowner to pay of the system after incentives are factored into the project.  This program also takes into consideration obstructions to the panels, such as trees or neighboring buildings, resulting in an extremely accurate calculation of the desired project.  


Incentives are important when calculating the cost of the project, and some areas in New York are providing higher incentives to individuals interested in installing solar systems.  Three sections of the city have been labeled as "solar empowerment zones" and are eligible for tax credits that will provide coverage for another 15% of the cost of the system.  The sections were established by determining where additional power was needed most, and as more funding becomes available more home and business owners will be able to access solar energy.  


Data states that in the past year the amount of solar energy generated in New York City has doubled, and it is expected to increase five-fold by the time the mandate is reached in 2015.  It will be interesting to see growth of solar energy throughout the city in the upcoming years, and hopefully their success will lead to an increase in the use of clean and green technology across North Carolina and the rest of the United States.  


To read the full article, please use the following link: 
http://money.cnn.com/2011/07/25/technology/solar-new-york/index.htm?iid=HP_LN



Eliza Jones-Summer Intern