A new solar initiative in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park is breaking ground on both renewable energy and climate justice, according to Canary Media. Spearheaded by the grassroots organization UPROSE, the 725-kilowatt Sunset Park Solar project aims to serve approximately 150 working-class households by providing 20% reductions on energy bills while reinvesting revenue into a community wealth fund.
Located on the roof of the Brooklyn Army Terminal, the project is co-owned by UPROSE and renewable energy developer Working Power. It represents years of collaboration and vision, combining solar energy with local economic empowerment. UPROSE executive director Elizabeth Yeampierre describes the initiative as a blueprint for how marginalized communities can take control of their energy future while addressing excessive air pollution and improving climate resilience.
Community solar projects like this one are gaining traction nationwide, with the United States boasting nearly 7.9 gigawatts of operational capacity as of mid-2024. In New York State alone, distributed solar capacity reached its 6-gigawatt goal a year ahead of schedule, driven by projects focused on equitable energy access.
Despite progress, challenges remain. High enrollment fees and credit-score checks continue to limit participation among lower-income residents. However, initiatives like the Biden administration’s Solar for All program, which allocated $7 billion for community solar projects, aim to bridge these gaps. Such efforts are expected to bring solar energy to millions of underserved households across the U.S.
The Sunset Park Solar project underscores the importance of local collaboration in addressing energy equity and climate change. By reducing energy costs, creating local jobs, and promoting environmental justice, this initiative serves as a replicable model for communities nationwide. As Yeampierre puts it, “If there was ever a time to be bold about operationalizing a just transition, it’s now.”