STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For the last six months, a Graniteville rooftop has been generating clean energy to 140 homes.
The Expressway Plaza, which houses a popular Stop & Shop, is a part of the UGE company’s series of “community solar project[s]” around New York City.
The rooftop solar project takes in “just over half a megawatt” of energy, which “will offset roughly 700 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year,” according to a written statement.
“The Expressway Plaza community solar project will join UGE’s Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) program, meaning that at least 30% of the energy generated by the project will be reserved for LMI households. Strengthening renewable energy equity is one of UGE’s guiding goals; the company’s stated target is for more than 25% of the off-take from its operational portfolio to serve LMI households by 2026,” the statement wrote.
The company that owns Expressway Plaza, Feldco, is getting “long-term lease payments” for allowing the solar panels to be on their buildings, with UGE replacing the roof so that the structure can support the panels during their lifespan.
The panels will be there for 22 years at a minimum, the statement said.
“Feldco is a family-owned and operated business committed to sustainable construction and forging long-term relationships with the communities in which we operate,” Feldco Partner and Vice President Greg Feldman said. “By becoming a community solar host with UGE, we are advancing those commitments by providing energy cost savings and a source of clean energy to the community surrounding Expressway Plaza.”