NYC Green Economy

On October 22, 2009, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced a comprehensive plan to grow New York City’s green economy. The 30 initiatives that comprise the plan support and attract green businesses and entrepreneurs and provide specialized green job training to prepare New Yorkers for green jobs. The initiatives – which build upon PlaNYC, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan – will support the creation of 13,000 new jobs, doubling the City’s green sector workforce.  View the Green Initiatives Press Release.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

NYCEDC has created an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs across industries and stages of business with access to information, training, and innovative competitions.

Solar Zones

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Cities partnership, New York City has been awarded $1 million in funding to establish several “solar zones,” which will facilitate solar installations in targeted areas by streamlining the permitting process, establishing an ombudsman to oversee implementation, and launching a one-stop website with mapping and incentive information. This proposal builds off a federally-funded study on the Con Edison grid that identified areas of the City that have desirable energy use patterns and adequate roof space. Learn more about NYC Solar America City Partnership, led by Sustainable CUNY.

Streamline Solar Application Process

As a member city of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Cities partnership, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducted a technical study for New York City on the Con Edison grid. This study addresses current interconnection practices and potential limitations for solar PV deployment in New York City. The results of the study will be used to help streamline the application process for solar PV and will include recommendations on how to increase the amount of solar energy connected to the grid. For more information, please see the Interconnecting PV on New York's Secondary Distribution System Study.

Promote NYC's Opportunity for Cleantech

NYCEDC has created targeted business development materials to help increase the number of national and international cleantech companies active in the City, and address the lack of information on the specific business opportunities that New York City offers. Download the latest Cleantech Industry Snapshot highlighting the key statistics on NYC's Clean Technology industry.

Promote NYC as Carbon Trading & Green Finance Leader

To help foster the growth of the City’s carbon market, NYCEDC will investigate specific actions that the City can take to influence market activity in its favor. This initiative addresses the lack of a vibrant carbon market cluster here and the competition faced by the City from other cities to become the US and global carbon market hub. Planned activities include convening a series of stakeholder consultations and exploring the creation of a New York City carbon industry trade association.

Demonstration Projects

Smart Grid Demonstration at Brooklyn Army Terminal

In order to demonstrate the viability of solar photovoltaic installations to the private sector, the City will install a 500 kilowatt solar system at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park. The system is estimated to generate up to 750,000 kilowatt hours of energy – enough to supply the power needs of 150 City households annually and offset 400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Additionally, the system could save the City up to $120,000 in annual electricity costs. NYCEDC issued an RFP for this project as part of a larger smart grid demonstration project that incorporates: (1) solar PV, (2) building management systems and (3) battery storage in the fall of 2010.

Urban Wind Demonstration

Following strong interest in building-sited wind projects through a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) on renewable energy projects, the City established a permitting process to allow for the installation of small wind turbines.  NYCEDC's Urban Wind Demonstration has provided qualified small wind manufacturers with nominal funding, as well as assistance with permitting and building site identification.  The Demonstration will test the performance and safety of small wind turbine systems in a dense urban setting and is expected to be installed in the Spring 2012.

NYC Buildings Permitting Process

Access to Capital

NYCEDC offers information about a variety of New York City equity, financing, and incentives programs designed to help businesses thrive.

Green Incentives and Funding Sources

Sources of funding available to green businesses are diverse and not easily identifiable, making it difficult for companies to understand all the opportunities available to them. To assist businesses, the City has assembled information on more than 75 potential sources of funding and incentives available for green businesses in the form of a guide. A print version of the guide can be requested and an electronic version can be downloaded below.

Doing Green Business in NYC Guide

Solar and Green Roof Property Tax Abatement

In August 2008, New York City launched a solar property tax abatement program that provides a property tax abatement, applied over a four-year period, equal to 35% of the total installed cost of a solar PV system. The maximum property tax abatement over four years is $250,000.

This property tax abatement also applies to green roof installations. Under this program, eligible green roof installations will receive a one-time property tax abatement equal to $4.50 per square foot up to $100,000.

The deadline for the latest round of applications (for both programs) was March 15, 2011. The next deadline is March 15, 2012.

Solar and Green Roof Tax Abatement Brochure

Solar and Green Roof Property Tax Abatement Guide 

Green Roof Property Tax Abatement Application

Solar PV Property Tax Abatement Application

For more details, please visit the Department of Buildings Tax Abatement Page or email GreenRoofandSolar@buildings.nyc.gov.