Cooperatively-Owned Solar Power Array Debuts in Sunset Park

by Gabriele Holtermann, Brooklyn Paper

Energy justice advocates and local elected reps celebrated the installation of New York City’s first community-led and cooperatively owned solar project, Sunset Park Solar, at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park on July 20.

Located on the roof of Building B at BAT, the 725-kilowatt solar array will deliver clean and reliable electricity to about 200 Sunset Park families and businesses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy bills by 20 percent. Revenue from the 45,000-square-foot installation will go into a community wealth fund to support projects such as additional solar initiatives.

The project is a partnership between UPROSE, Brooklyn’s oldest Latino community-based organization focused on environmental and social justice, and energy developer Working Power, which builds community-owned clean energy and wealth in historically underinvested communities.

Faced with an increase in severe climate disasters due to the climate emergency and the Trump administration’s rollback of climate and energy policies — earlier this month Trump issued an order restricting wind and solar tax credits — climate justice advocates describe the nonprofit initiative as a “blueprint” for energy justice.

They said they hope the project sets a precedent for similar community-driven energy initiatives across the country, allowing climate-challenged communities to regain control over energy systems, build economic resiliency, and have a voice in how energy is generated and distributed while creating green jobs.

Elizabeth Yeampierre, executive director of UPROSE, pointed out that while scientists are raising alarm bells about climate change, the Trump administration is simultaneously divesting from renewable energy and increasing dependency on fossil fuels — the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

“In the face of despair, in the face of all the things that our communities are dealing with right now, [Sunset Park Solar] is good news,” Yeampierre said. “We want to remind people that when you invest in organizations like ours and in community, community vision, that you are investing in what is possible.”

Unlike AI, green hydrogen, and geo-engineering, Yeampierre said, community-led climate initiatives are the true innovation.

“This community-owned solar initiative is innovation, this community-owned solar initiative is what we call a just transition — a move away from the extractive economy to a renewable economy while creating community wealth,” Yeampierre said.

Ian Fischer, co-executive director of Working Power, said the project is a “story of resilience.”

“The project demonstrates what is possible when we prioritize frontline communities’ leadership, building the clean energy future. Now more than ever, we need community-led solutions supported by local government and strong state policies,” Fischer said.

City Council Member Alexa Avilés said she hoped cities across the country would copy the “incredible model” of locally owned renewable solutions, describing the solar project as “by and for the people.”

“The importance of this project just can’t be overstated,” Avilés said. “Quite literally, as we stand here today, the federal government is dismantling our very democracy and has taken a wrecking ball to the climate justice movement, to science and to the many, many hard achievements that we have won over the decades. So this here, amidst this insanity that we are in, is the innovation, it is the greatness.”

The New York City Economic Development Corporation, which manages the BAT, is leasing the rooftop space to UPROSE and Working Power for the solar project. The solar array joins others in New York City that offer a discount on electricity bills to subscribers, including solar panels at JFK airport and Bronx Terminal Market, but is unusual in being developed by a community nonprofit and cooperatively owned by members. Typical discounts range from 10 to 20 percent.

NYCEDC Senior Vice President of Asset Management Jennifer Brown said the Sunset Park Solar project aligns with the city’s Green Economy Action Plan and NYCEDC’s green economy initiatives.

“[Sunset Park Solar] is a major milestone in our continuous work to bring modern-day innovation to the waterfront while creating good-paying jobs for Sunset Park and Brooklyn residents in the industries of today and of tomorrow,” Brown said.

Daniel Chu, senior energy planner with the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, addressed New York City’s affordability crisis and said his organization and UPROSE are fighting Con Edison’s proposed rent hike of more than 18 percent in 2026.

“This project [does] not only provide an opportunity for transitioning us and providing a model of how we can transition out of polluting fossil fuels all across New York City and New York State, but also it’s a model to show how we can provide energy savings for households that put money back into people’s homes,” Chu said.

Editor’s note: A version of this story originally ran in Brooklyn Paper. Click here to see the original story.

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