Queens Neighborhood Leads Push for Community Solar Projects

A community in Jamaica, Queens, has launched one of New York City’s largest community solar initiatives, allowing residents to access renewable energy without installing their own solar panels. The project, funded through state grants and private investment, is expected to reduce energy bills for hundreds of families.

“This is about putting power—literal and figurative—back in the hands of the people,” said project coordinator Malik Johnson. Participating households will receive credits on their utility bills based on the energy generated by the shared solar panels.

The initiative has been praised as a model for other neighborhoods looking to embrace renewable energy and combat energy inequality. Advocates are hopeful that similar projects will expand across the city in the coming years.