At their Ossining, NY campus, Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers (Maryknoll) and Quest Renewables’ customer, Ecogy Energy (Ecogy), held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of their innovative and community-focused solar canopy system on September 14, 2021. The 2,184-panel canopy system, consisting of 12 QuadPod solar canopies spanning two parking lots, offsets part of Maryknoll’s energy consumption with renewable energy and provides clean energy access and electricity bill discounts to local community members.

The canopy solar project provides Maryknoll with covered parking, downward-facing LED parking lot lighting to increase nighttime security and a visible green initiative— all while extending 10% electricity bill discounts to Maryknoll and local community members through community solar. Further, this system employs the best land-use practices as it is built atop already existing infrastructure and does not increase any impermeable surfaces. Additionally, this community solar project provides a unique window into clean energy for those who are not able to finance their own system or simply do not have the space to install it— thereby ensuring that access to clean energy is equitable and inclusive of all.

“All of us at Ecogy Energy would like to extend our gratitude to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers for giving us the opportunity to partner with such an esteemed and revered institution,” commented Ecogy Principal, Jack Bertuzzi, “We have faith in the ability of community solar to ensure that benefits of the clean energy transition extend to all those who wish to be a part.”

Ecogy hired New York builder and public benefit corporation, GreenSpark Solar, to carry out installation of the solar arrays— serving as a prime example of how solar development can create local jobs and foster economic growth during a time when many communities are facing extreme challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the carport solar arrays were designed by Quest Renewables, a solar racking design, manufacturing and engineering company, who creates aesthetically distinct, innovative racking solutions. 

You can read more about the project at Solar Power World and watch the ribbon cutting ceremony online.