why aren't nyc real estate developers using solar panels?
TRANSCRIPT
Not only is it the birthplace of the
American Dream, its skyline is an icon of
industry, capitalism and our intention to
always go bigger and do better.
I love New York.
While the Big Apple, a
city of 8.4 million
people, is lacking
behind, smaller cities in
California and Arizona
are saving money big
time by installing solar
panels on large
commercial buildings.
Although New York State is one of
the top ten “solar states”, when you
break it down per city, per capita,
medium-sized cities like Phoenix and
Denver are ahead of NYC.
Indianapolis, which gets less sun
than New York, ranks higher.
In larger cities like NYC, the
arguments against solar
panels are starting to fall
short, especially because
solar panel installations have
become “ridiculously cheap”
according to Bloomberg New
Energy Finance, and the price
continues to decrease.
With De Blasio’s ambitious goal for NYC to
hit 80 percent renewal by 2050, why is
New York still seemingly behind the times?
THE COST FACTOR
The misconception that installing solar
panels is cost prohibitive is just that:
a misconception.
Federally, there are many incentives to get to
the sustainability finish line, though it varies
state-by-state quite a bit.
It's a close 25 percent in tax credits in New York.
Not only is it easier and cheaper to
get solar panels installed, it’s
untapped money.
THE AESTHETICS FACTOR
The general consensus is that
solar panels are ugly right?
Wrong.
The “eyesores” of yesterday have
gotten facelifts and are fast becoming
the high-tech structures of now.
New York is great at adapting, and
beautifying solar is currently in a
New York state of mind.
