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Community Environmental Center Receives $3 Million DOE Grant for Innovative Weatherization Project
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Jay Ackley of CEC: A Minnesotan in Gotham
Monday, August 30th, 2010

Lack of Will on Cap & Trade Undermines Recovery and Hurts Climate, But Is There a Future for HomeStar?
Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Donna Parris: Woman of Many Lives
Monday, July 26th, 2010

Community Environmental Center and other agencies receive $12.9 million from DHCR for affordable housing weatherization
Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Community Environmental Center leads a state-of-the-art solar thermal project for the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council
Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Community Environmental Center is installing solar thermal systems in New York City
Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Community Environmental Center Welcomes JetBlue Airways to the Cool Roofs Movement
Monday, June 21st, 2010

21-year-old Spring Creek Towers resident is learning to weatherize homes
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Spring Creek Towers: A City Within The City
Monday, June 7th, 2010

Construction of First Net Zero Energy-Use Building in NYC Will Make New York a Leader in Green Building Movement

         
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009


Solar One is an affiliate of Community Environmental Center.

NEW YORK, NY (May 20, 2009) – Solar 2, New York City’s first net-zero energy-use building, will rise in Manhattan at 23rd Street and the East River in spring 2010. A 2-story, 8,000-square-foot, green energy, arts and education center, Solar 2 will be the only net-zero non-residential building of its size and scope in a major U.S. city.

“Solar 2 will be a landmark and symbol of New York City’s commitment to energy independence and environmental sustainability,” says Chris Collins, Executive Director of Solar One, the Manhattan non-profit organization spearheading the project.

A net-zero energy-use building produces more energy than it consumes in any one year. Solar 2′s energy will come from an array of photovoltaic (PV) panels above the roof that will convert sunlight to electricity. During evening hours, Solar 2 will buy energy from Con Edison’s grid, but over the course of a year Solar 2 will send back more energy to the grid than it purchases, renewing energy and reducing carbon emissions that harm the environment.

Solar 2′s energy-saving, eco-friendly features will also include a solar system for heating water; geothermal wells to heat the indoor spaces; green screens of deciduous vines to provide shade in summer and warmth in winter; natural ventilation optimized by wind-induced and stack-driven ventilation; sensors that monitor levels of carbon monoxide; and rainwater collection.

When finished in 2010, Solar 2 will be open to the public free of charge. Visitors will find exhibitions and classes about building and living green; a green design lab for learning about energy use in one’s home or office; a greenhouse for demonstrating urban agriculture; permanent retrospectives about the history and ecology of the East River; a “Genius Bar” to provide technical support for energy-related projects; an outdoor stage; and a rooftop café.

Says Collins: “Picture yourself a public school teacher, looking to expand your students’ science knowledge with lessons about energy and the environment. Solar 2 will be your first destination.”

“If you’re an architect or engineering professional,” says Collins, “You will visit Solar 2 to see a building that is a catalog of green building possibilities. If you live in a house or apartment, the green design lab will evaluate your home’s energy demands and environmental impact.”

Designed by the Brooklyn firm Kiss + Cathcart, Architects, and Ove Arup & Partners, the international engineering firm, Solar 2 is expected to cost $12.5 million. Funding allocations for Solar 2 include $1,075,000 from the City Council and $1 million from the office of Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer.

“By increasing conservation, and providing education and community involvement,” says Mr. Stringer, “Solar 2 will bring New Yorkers closer to a safer, healthier place to live and raise families.”

When construction of Solar 2 begins, it will replace Solar One’s existing building at 23rd St and the East River. A recycled solar classroom that was originally built for Earth Day celebrations in 2001, Solar One will eventually be relocated to another, as yet undetermined, site.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT SOLAR 2:

Holcim Awards Gold 2008, North America

Given bi-annually by the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction

LEED Platinum Certified (the highest LEED rating)

Kiss + Cathcart, Architects
44 Court Street, Tower C
Brooklyn NY 11201
www.kisscathcart.com

Ove Arup & Partners
155 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10013
www.arup.com

Judith Heintz Landscape Architecture
118 Court Street
Brooklyn NY 11201
www.jhla-landscape.com

Learn more about Solar One and Solar 2: www.solar1.org