New Law Takes Effect Requiring New York City to Install Solar Power on Public Buildings

Climate Jobs New York celebrated this week as new legislation took effect that will create an ambitious and impactful program to install solar power on public buildings. The program will bring cleaner air, emissions reductions, and high-quality jobs to the city.

Union workers, environmental advocates, elected officials, and students gathered at PS 19/M315, an elementary school on the Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ list of solar-ready public buildings to celebrate the law.

The law, which was introduced by Councilmember Sandy Nurse and passed unanimously by the New York City Council in September, commits the city to install 100 megawatts (MW) of solar energy by 2030 and 150 MW by 2035, which will bring solar energy to approximately 700 buildings, with a focus on those in disadvantaged communities. The buildout of solar on schools and other city-owned buildings will create high-quality, family-supporting jobs for New Yorkers in roof readiness, panel installation, and maintenance work, while supporting cleaner air and climate action.

Climate Jobs New York was a pivotal force in passing this legislation, which was a primary goal of the coalition’s Carbon-Free and Healthy Schools campaign. From construction workers heralding the jobs it will create to teachers and nurses celebrating the cleaner air it will bring, unions were vocal leaders advocating for this bill.