Residents Hired to Install Solar Panels on NYCHA Rooftops

In April 2021, NYCHA announced the substantial completion of solar installations at Queensbridge Houses, the first NYCHA developments to host solar panel installations on its rooftops. As part of its Sustainability Agenda, NYCHA is committed to host 25 megawatts of solar power by 2025, which will make it the largest community shared solar project in New York City. 

Solar panels on NYCHA’s rooftops have several benefits. The installations at Queensbridge will ultimately provide over $1 million in revenue to the development and will provide approximately 470 New York households, including over 100 low- and moderate-income households who pay their own electric bills, with access to low-cost solar power. At the same time, NYCHA’s solar program will help reduce carbon emissions and make the city cleaner and greener.

Additionally, solar programs create jobs for NYCHA residents. Over 40 NYCHA residents have received solar workforce training – of those, 13 residents were hired to work on the installation crews at Queensbridge and 12 residents worked on a separate solar installation project at Kingsborough, Glenwood, and Carver Houses.

To recruit, train, and hire residents for solar panel installation jobs, NYCHA partnered with local organizations such as Green City Force (GCF). Aram Marcelle is the Alumni Training and Advancement Manager at GCF. In cooperation with NYCHA’s Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES), his job is to connect young NYCHA residents to training and job opportunities in the green economy. For the Queensbridge project, in partnership with Sol Purpose Development Company (the project developer) and Venture Solar (the installer), GCF recruited 21 NYCHA residents; they participated in a three-week solar and construction training program with the green education nonprofit Solar One. Those who were interested in installing solar panels on NYCHA rooftops were hired after the training period.

“The project was designed to give NYCHA residents without prior experience in solar a chance to start a career in a growing industry that has historically lacked diversity,” said Mr. Marcelle. “It can be difficult to break into the solar field without proper training and connections, so we wanted to create a platform that could promote equity in the green economy by giving access to under-represented communities.”

Johan Ortiz, 22, is a GCF alumnus and a resident of Albany Houses in Brooklyn who was hired to install solar panels at Queensbridge Houses.

“My uncle is an electrician,” Mr. Ortiz said. “I used to be my uncle’s helper. A lot of work we do at my present job reminds me of what we did with my uncle. There are a few positions where electricians work within this company. I am trying to learn as much as I can about the electrical wiring systems that connect solar panels. I hope one day I can do electrical wiring for solar panels myself.”

Kelvin Casimiro is a 22-year-old NYCHA resident and  GCF alumnus. His previous workplace shut down due to the pandemic and he was actively looking for a job when Green City Force reached out to him.

“I have applied for solar jobs before but have not received any positive answers because I had no prior experience in solar installations,” Mr. Casimiro noted. “And, suddenly, I was contacted by GCF, who connected me with an employer who was ready to take me in without any experience and teach me how to do the job. So, basically, my first week on a job I was learning, watching everyone work. It is a great opportunity, because solar jobs are on the rise. Everyone is interested.”

Mr. Casimiro likes the job security that solar panel installation experience provides. After completing his job at Queensbridge, he and Mr. Ortiz will be transferred to other job sites. Mr. Casimiro told both of his older brothers that they should apply for jobs at solar companies.

“Nobody wants to pay a big electricity bill,” Mr. Casimiro remarked. “People want their home to be self-maintaining. Especially during summer peak hours when all apartments run ACs at the same time, electric companies charge extra. Whereas, if you have a solar panel, you can get paid for the electricity your solar panel generates.”

Mr. Ortiz would like to own his own home someday that he would outfit with solar panels: “It is greener, safer, and cheaper. I would absolutely do that with my place.”

Photo Caption: Kelvin Casimiro, Queensbridge Solar Panels, Johan Ortiz,