Clean Energy (Solar)

NYC Solar Schools

Solar energy is economical, educational, and environmentally friendly. Instead of generating electricity by burning fossil fuels, solar power systems capture clean energy from the sun. Using this sustainable technology is important to reduce greenhouse gases and make our City more resilient to climate change. NYC Public Schools work with the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Division of Energy Management (DCAS DEM) on a mayoral initiative to install 100 megawatts (MW) of solar on City-owned buildings by 2030.

DCAS, in compliance with Local Law 24 of 2016 (LL24), regularly issues a "City of New York Municipal Solar Readiness Assessment." The LL24 report requires DCAS to assess all City-owned buildings for their “solar readiness,” or ability to host solar photovoltaic systems (solar PV) in their current condition. For a building to be deemed solar-ready, it must be 10,000 or more gross building square feet, have a roof that is ten years old or newer, and be in good structural condition. In DCAS's most recent "City of New York Municipal Solar Readiness Assessment", from September 2022, DCAS identified 199 buildings as "solar ready", many of which are NYC Public School buildings.

NYC Public Schools has installed 126 solar photovoltaic (PV) installations for a total of 26.8 MW. These installations decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy bills while creating unique opportunities for student education. Learn more about how solar is being implemented on NYC Public Schools rooftops and how we are working to connect climate action to our students and teachers in Generation 180’s Brighter Future Report.

Climate Energy Education Intensive

Producing solar energy onsite turns NYC schools into renewable energy education labs.  The NYCPS Office of Energy & Sustainability, STEM Department, and Solar One developed the Climate Energy Education Intensive, which offers:

• Professional Learning with up to 5 CTLE credit.

• Access to full Green Design Lab curriculum- includes hands-on activities that align with the NYSSLS and NYS Science Regents and compliment Amplify curriculum to investigate local phenomena around renewable energy and energy conservation.

• Free classroom materials including a classroom set of circuit supplies.

• Opportunities to apply for free classroom visits and 1-on-1 lesson planning with a Solar One educator (limited availability).

• Eligibility to be selected to receive a Demonstration Solar system for your school's campus.

• Best practices from a community of teachers incorporating sustainability and climate change content into curriculum.

Read an in-depth case study on the program by the Building Energy Exchange.

The fall 2025 professional learning series is complete. Check back for fall 2026 dates.

NYC Solar Career & technical education (CTE) Program

This program, also offered in partnership with Solar One, integrates clean energy and sustainability content into existing electrical and engineering courses at CTE High Schools with the goal to prepare students for workforce opportunities.   

During the program, Solar One educators visit each school for two weeks to facilitate program content and co-teach with classroom teachers. Topics covered include: benefits of solar, solar site assessment, solar circuits, mountings and installing electrical components, and associated  careers. The Solar CTE program concludes with a capstone project where students work in groups to install four 200 watt stand-alone solar systems. In addition to wiring all of the system components, students learn how to mount the panels using the most common method of rooftop solar mounting in NYC: ballasted mounting.   

See further details here. 

Demonstration solar installation

In 2020 and 2021, we offered an opportunity for schools to receive a Demonstration Solar Installation via our annual Sustainability Project Grant. Twelve schools were awarded Demonstration Solar Installations over two years, providing a tangible and working model to support the delivery of clean energy curriculum. A prerequisite to apply for the Demonstration Solar Installation grant included participation (or a commitment to participate) in the NYC Solar Schools Education Program.