JUNE 30th Deadline for Flatbush/Kensington to Solarize Your Home

Solarize Brooklyn held an informational meeting this past Saturday June 1st at the Cortelyou branch of the Brooklyn Library to give Brooklynites in the Flatbush, Kensington, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace and Sunset Park neighborhoods the opportunity to purchase solar energy systems to power their electricity or heat their hot water.  Solarize Brooklyn has put together a plan in collaboration with two solar power energy installers Empower, which provides photo voltaic (electric) and Quixotic Systems, which provides solar thermal (hot water) so that Brooklyn neighborhoods can purchase these systems collectively and thereby increase their purchasing power and reduce costs and increase savings.  If you are interested in finding out what these systems might have to offer for your home or cooperative, you have only until June 30th to register for an assessment of your property, after this time the list will be closed.  After you register you will be contacted sometime in August to set up an appointment to discuss what your particular needs are and which system would be best for you.  There are many options available to offset the cost of these installations making it affordable, which might include either tax incentives and or a leasing alternative.  To find out more or to register go to www.solarizebrooklyn.org

There also will be three additional information meetings which you can attend if you missed this one.

Saturday, June 15th 12:30 – 2: 00PM at Windsor Terrace Y, 1224 Prospect Avenue

Monday, June 17th 6:30 – 8:00PM at Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue

Tuesday, June 26th 6:00 - 7:30PM at Flatbush Y 1401 Flatbush Avenue

 What is solar power?  Solar power is a technology that uses the sun’s rays to produce energy that can create electricity to light your home or it can heat hot water. 

Why get solar power? Why would anyone want solar energy as opposed to the standard electricity that we get from the Con Edison power grid.  There are two very good reasons:

 1. This source of energy works with a totally renewable source of energy (the sun) that is easy to harness, and it is clean because no fossil fuels are being burned, which reduces air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions (Global Warming).

2. These solar power systems will generate electricity and or your hot water needs, which can completely eliminate your Con Edison payment, which means savings in your pocket.  You also have the ability to have the system set up in your home to store energy in a backup battery that can power what you deem as necessary items in the event of a Sandy.

Why solarize your home now? This collective purchasing opportunity is being offered now and will not be offered again.  Also, there are tax incentives that are being offered to assist you making these installations that may not be there in the future.  If you opt to purchase at a later time it most likely will cost you more.

 Solarize Brooklyn was put together by Sustainable Flatbush and Sustainable Kensington Windsor Terrace.