How Solar Power Helps NYC Handle Growing Energy Demands

Sponsored By Brooklyn SolarWorks

Brooklyn SolarWorks is a Gowanus-based solar design and installation firm serving New York City's homes and businesses.

Created By Brownstoner

New York City’s appetite for electricity keeps growing, and that growth comes with climbing costs. Con Edison has announced plans to raise electric bills by 11.4 percent and gas bills by 13.3 percent in early 2026, pointing to the need for grid upgrades and extreme weather preparations.

Meanwhile, NYC’s 70 data centers are just one part of a larger energy challenge facing our city. While data centers use significant power — they use at least 10 times more energy per square foot than regular office buildings — they represent about a tenth of expected new power demand in the coming years. The bigger picture shows NYC facing potential power shortfalls by the early 2030s, with overall demand expected to rise 12 percent in just the next five years, according to New York Independent System Operator, the nonprofit that operates the state’s grid.

This is where solar power offers solutions. As one of the few local power sources that can be generated within the five boroughs – which are largely cut off from upstate power due to limited transmission lines – rooftop solar installations are helping New York handle these growing energy demands. Brooklyn SolarWorks has already completed more than 2,500 solar projects across the city, turning rooftops into power stations that produce electricity right where it’s needed most.

For homeowners, the benefits go beyond sustainability. Solar systems can offset most — and in many cases all — of a household’s annual electricity costs. That means protection from future utility rate hikes and the opportunity to lock in long-term energy savings. At a time when electricity bills are set to climb sharply, generating your own clean power offers real financial security.

Recent changes are making it easier to add solar across the city. Mayor Adams’ City of Yes zoning update has removed old restrictions on rooftop solar installations. In some cases, these changes double the space available for solar panels on a single roof. The law also allows solar canopies over parking lots – NYC’s 8,500 acres of parking space could generate enough power for tens of thousands of homes.

These updates support NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act, which aims to cut building emissions 40 percent by 2030. It’s the largest climate action any city has taken worldwide.

Solar power does more than just help the environment – it protects New Yorkers from rising energy costs. When more buildings generate their own power, it reduces strain on the grid and our reliance on electricity from outside the city. This helps keep prices stable for everyone, not just solar users.

As NYC faces growing power demands from data centers and other modern needs, solar offers a practical solution. By turning unused roof space into clean power plants, Brooklyn SolarWorks is helping homeowners cut their utility bills while building a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy system for the entire city.

For more information, contact Brooklyn SolarWorks.

[Photos via Brooklyn SolarWorks]