QUESTION
How are solar installations implemented and maintained in NYC schools, and what are their benefits?
1:14:09
·
3 min
Council Member Robert F. Holden inquires about the process and benefits of installing solar panels in NYC schools, focusing on PS 62 as an example.
- PS 62 is highlighted as the greenest school in NYC with solar installations, underground water wells, and adaptive windows.
- Solar installations are undertaken during roof repairs, without a power agreement for maintenance.
- Feasibility of solar installations for other school areas like parking spaces is discussed.
- Benefits include self-sufficiency, potential cost savings, and reduced carbon footprint, particularly in areas prone to blackouts.
- Criteria for selecting schools for solar installations are based on the need for roof replacement.
Robert F. Holden
1:14:09
How many and and you mentioned one school of PS 62 has a solar installation.
1:14:18
And
Rich Mantell
1:14:18
They have
Robert F. Holden
1:14:19
Who who who installed that?
Rich Mantell
1:14:21
So it's not just solar.
1:14:22
That that particular school is the greenest school in the city.
1:14:26
It has underground water wells as well to help heat.
1:14:30
They have windows that are controlled by help right.
1:14:33
The sun is.
1:14:34
They darken.
1:14:35
They lighten to put light in the building.
1:14:38
I mean, the school construction has already built that.
Robert F. Holden
1:14:41
So they they maintain it.
1:14:44
So there's there's no power agreement with with an of the company?
Rich Mantell
1:14:49
Not that I'm aware of.
Robert F. Holden
1:14:50
Okay.
1:14:51
So so it could work.
Rich Mantell
1:14:53
It does work.
Robert F. Holden
1:14:54
Yeah.
1:14:55
So it could work.
1:14:55
But I'm just saying if if school construction can maintain the installation, how many schools have solar installations?
1:15:05
Do we know?
1:15:05
I don't
Rich Mantell
1:15:05
know the number of top of my head.
1:15:07
There's
Robert F. Holden
1:15:07
Well, the 71750 Schools.
Sandy Nurse
1:15:10
155 Bill It's 155 buildings, but that was inclusive of others sitting on property.
1:15:16
I thought I thought it was 70 schools.
Rich Mantell
1:15:18
It's it's less than a I think you're right.
Sandy Nurse
1:15:20
I thought it was 70.
1:15:21
11
Rami Dinnawi
1:15:21
day.
1:15:21
Yeah.
Rich Mantell
1:15:22
And they put the solar panels on when the roof is in need of repair.
1:15:26
So You can have a brand new building, the roof's in perfect condition.
1:15:30
They won't put solar panels on.
Robert F. Holden
1:15:31
But but I could see other uses, let's say, outdoor space, over a school yard or a partial where they can go out in the rain even because there's a cover.
1:15:42
So you actually it's a win win.
1:15:44
Do you have a canopy?
1:15:46
It's a solar.
1:15:47
I'm not sure, you know, whether that's feasible, I'm just imagining.
Rich Mantell
1:15:50
So, sort of, in this particular school, PS 62, I mean, they have a lot of land.
1:15:56
There's a parking area, and over the parking area, they put solar panels.
Robert F. Holden
1:16:01
And it it could pay for itself.
1:16:03
Right?
1:16:03
You said double.
1:16:05
And how many years would would that be?
1:16:06
Or, let's say, an installation on one school.
1:16:10
Do you have an idea?
Ben Dorman
1:16:12
On on the individual level.
Robert F. Holden
1:16:13
No.
1:16:14
Yeah.
1:16:14
On on the just a installation of a of a school, a 1000 students.
1:16:18
Yeah.
1:16:18
I mean, we'd have to do some obviously, some calculations.
1:16:21
But it's not like a ballpark.
1:16:22
You said you had mentioned it would pay for itself though.
Ben Dorman
1:16:26
Or yeah.
1:16:26
For the solar installation bill based on our analysis at the 100 5th at the 100 Megawatt amount at for that goal of 2025, and then for the 150 or 2030, it would pay for itself more than twice.
Robert F. Holden
1:16:40
As a larger the building, let's say, a school, a good sized school, with a lot of acreage.
1:16:45
Some some schools are, you know, go on and on with several acres.
1:16:50
That that would be actually more beneficial.
1:16:53
You'd say, you know, obviously, the carbon footprint, you would you would say, but also pay for itself.
1:16:59
Because of the more acreage you have, I guess, on a solar installation, the more you're saving.
1:17:06
And then especially in, you know, in schools in my district, like I said, the electrical grid earlier is horrendous.
1:17:14
We we lead the city in blackouts.
1:17:16
So that would be beneficial.
1:17:19
And I would look to get my schools at least on the list of so, you know, to be you know, Solar Power.
1:17:25
Now do you know if there's any waiting list for this, or is there any plan?
1:17:32
The DOE is along with school construction is installing.
Rich Mantell
1:17:36
As I said, if a if a building if a school needs a new roof, they'll put solar panels on them when they do the roof.
1:17:43
But that's the only thing I know of down the pond.
Robert F. Holden
1:17:44
So they only do that when these the the roof needs some some work.
1:17:51
They only do is it maintenance or if they need a new roof?
Rich Mantell
1:17:54
If they need a new roof.
Robert F. Holden
1:17:55
If they need a new roof, not if if they have to maintain it or okay.
1:18:00
Thank you so thank you all for your testimony.
1:18:03
Thank