Solar 1

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Solar 1
Type
Founded 2002
Headquarters New York City, United States
For the solar power plant in the Mojave Desert, see Solar One.

Solar 1 is New York City's only self-sustaining solar powered building. It houses educational facilities for Solar One, a non-profit organisation concerned with green energy, arts, and education.[1] It is adjacent to Stuy Cove Park, a public park which Solar One maintains for the city. Solar 1 is a prototype for Solar 2, planned as the first building in NYC to generate power in excess of what it uses,[2] thereby putting more power into the grid than it takes out. It will be a landmark and a model for future NYC buildings.[3]

[edit] History

In 2001, the Community Environmental Center (CEC), a non-profit organisation, was designated by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to develop and manage an environmental learning center in the recently constructed Stuyvesant Cove Park. Located along the East River between 18th and 23rd Streets in Manhattan on a brownfield site, the park opened to the public in January 2002. Under a 40-year lease with the EDC, CEC gained responsibility for the design and construction of Solar 2, educational programming, and park maintenance.

In May 2003, CEC opened Solar 1, a solar-powered building, where students and residents from the City and the greater Metro area learn first hand the principles about energy conservation in their urban neighborhood. The Solar 2 Green Energy Arts and Education Center will be a new 8000 square foot Platinum LEED certified “net-zero” building that will replace Solar 1 and will be the only one of its kind in New York City.[4]

[edit] Emissions Data

Carbon Emission Reductions Achieved by Solar One for the Solar 1 Building:[5]

  • Monthly usage (kWh): 400
  • Yearly savings (kWh displaced from grid): 3,600
  • Yearly CO2 emissions saved (lbs.): 3.254

[edit] References

  1. ^ Fershleiser, Rachel. "Follow the Sun Panel", 2007-08-01. Retrieved on 2008-05-15. 
  2. ^ Miller, Molly. "Design for a Carbon-Free Life: The Pursuit of "Net" Zero Energy", 2007-10-01. Retrieved on 2008-05-15. 
  3. ^ Solar One. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  4. ^ Solar One » History. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  5. ^ Solar One » About Solar One. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.