Solar Thermal Pilot Program
Competitive pilot grant program providing financial assistance to City-based building owners installing solar hot water systems.
Background
New York City is the most favorable market for solar thermal technologies in the state. With high energy costs and an abundance of sunlight, NYC is ideal for cost-competitive, renewable energy solutions. By using sunlight to heat water, solar thermal systems displace carbon-emitting, fossil fuels that are traditionally used to produce domestic hot water. For an average NYC family, solar thermal systems have the potential to provide up to 75% of the hot water needs.
Developing the solar thermal market has the potential to drive economic growth in New York City’s clean technology and energy sector while contributing to the City’s comprehensive energy efforts. Solar thermal technologies are mature and provide high energy production with relatively low capital costs. However, despite a strong opportunity, solar thermal has seen slow growth in NYC. The Solar Thermal Pilot Program provides a framework to identify and analyze market constraints and to develop best practices that will foster a robust and sustainable marketplace in New York City.
Program Objectives
NYCEDC launched the Solar Thermal Pilot Program in 2009, offering grants of 30% of installation costs, up to $50,000 per solar thermal system, to NYC-based building owners. The Solar Thermal Pilot Program has three primary objectives:
- Monitor the performance and determine the potential for solar thermal in NYC
- Identify the financial, technical and regulatory barriers limiting growth
- Develop standards and best practices for a sustainable and robust marketplace
Through a competitive application process, NYCEDC selected several projects across a diverse spectrum of building types and locations. All systems installed under the program are equipped with performance monitoring equipment. Four systems have been completed to date under the pilot, and new applications are not currently being accepted. At the completion of the program, NYCEDC will evaluate performance and identify key next steps to facilitate solar thermal market growth in NYC.
Projects
 Location: Foxhurst, Bronx Building:
Daily hot water consumption: 4,000 gallons System: Commissioned in November 2010 20 flat plate collectors, occupying 800 square feet of the building’s rooftop Estimated annual production: 2,072 therms; providing 20% of the building’s hot water Estimated annual savings: $3,885 Displace 24,242 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually |
 Location: Hamilton Heights, Manhattan Building:
Daily hot water consumption: 300 gallons System: Commissioned in December 2010 8 flat plate collectors Estimated annual production: 440 therms; providing 100% of the building’s hot water Estimated annual savings: $660 Displace 4,968 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually |
 Location: Jamaica Hills, Queens Building:
Daily hot water consumption: 3,000 gallons System: Commissioned in July 2011 44 evacuated tube collectors, occupying 1,800 square feet of the building’s rooftop Estimated annual production: 3,724 therms; providing 75% of the building’s hot water Estimated annual savings: $15,138 |
 Location: Emerson Hill, Staten Island Building:
Daily hot water consumption: 2,000 gallons System: Commissioned in October 2011 24 flat plate collectors, occupying 960 square feet of the building’s rooftop Estimated annual production: 2,355 therms; providing 65% of the building’s hot water Estimated annual savings: $3,830 Displace 27,500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually |