NYCPS & DCAS Complete 130 Solar Installations on City School Roofs with Latest Completion at Marie Curie High School in the Bronx

April 23, 2026

NYCPS & DCAS Complete 130 Solar Installations on City School Roofs with Latest Completion at Marie Curie High School in the Bronx

86 more projects are in progress through the NYC Solar Schools Program, providing public school facilities with clean renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions

Including the Marie Curie project, the Power Authority has collaborated with DCAS and NYCPS on more than 40 of the 130 completed rooftop arrays.

Pictured above: NYCPS Deputy Chancellor Kevin Moran, NYPA President and CEO Justin Driscoll, DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei, and other energy representatives cut the ribbon on the 130th public school solar installation at Marie Curie High School

NEW YORK-Today New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) Deputy Chancellor Kevin Moran, Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei, and New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll joined students from Marie Curie High School in the Bronx to celebrate the completion of the city's latest green energy upgrade at a public school facility as part of the NYC Solar Schools Program. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, students and staff from the 'Green Justice Club' and schools' sustainability coordinators participated in an energy walk around the building to talk about the recent energy projects.

To date, DCAS and NYCPS have completed 130 solar installations on public schools, totaling 27.5 megawatts of added renewable power to the city's portfolio, building on the city's larger decarbonization efforts. Including the Marie Curie project, the Power Authority has collaborated with DCAS and NYCPS on more than 40 of the completed rooftop arrays. At the ceremony, the administration also announced that 86 more public school solar projects, totaling 17.2 MW, are actively in progress, further increasing the scope of clean energy work at these vital community cornerstones; NYPA is advancing 40 of the in-progress projects.

"Expanding clean energy is about building a city where every New Yorker can actually live, breathe, and thrive. Across our neighborhoods, we're pushing for creative, community-driven ways to cut emissions while bringing down the cost of energy. With 130 solar installations already completed and many more on the way, the NYC Solar Schools Program shows what's possible when we commit, unapologetically, to a just and sustainable future for all of us." said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.

"The 'Solar in Schools' program helps put every inch of our city to work in advancing our green future," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "This is a major milestone toward modernizing our energy sources and investing in our public schools, and we're only just getting started. We are committed to improving the everyday lives of New Yorkers, from our city streets to the very air we breathe."

"Expanding solar across our public schools is an impactful way to reduce emissions and a direct investment into our communities," said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. "We are proud to work alongside NYC Public Schools and the New York Power Authority to deliver this renewable energy project and create greener learning environments for students across the five boroughs. This is a major step forward in our continued efforts toward meeting our climate goals."

"Completing 130 solar projects across our schools showcases our commitment to clean energy and building a more sustainable future," said Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels. "As we power ahead with these efforts alongside climate education, we're empowering our young learners to see themselves as responsible stewards of their generation while equipping our schools with the tools to lead the way. Today, we're not only reducing our environmental impact but driving lasting change."

"When students see and learn about rooftop solar on their school, they naturally develop an interest in clean energy and what it takes to build emission-free power generation," said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. "The Power Authority is pleased to collaborate with New York City schools, DCAS, our developer partner Ameresco and our building trades unions to install solar on school buildings as part of Governor Kathy Hochul's commitment to building a sustainable, affordable energy system. The Solar Schools Education component will inspire our next generation of clean energy professionals."

With the completion of this project, the Marie Curie High School campus is now powered in part by a 274-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system that will generate more than 50 percent of the school's annual operational energy needs. As part of the project, minor roof repairs were completed, improving overall building conditions and supporting the school's long-term infrastructure needs. In addition to the solar project, NYPA also recently completed a lighting upgrade at the school, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Pictured above: 130th solar installation at Marie Curie High School

DCAS and NYPA have used a power purchase agreement to contract with Ameresco to design, build, and operate NYPA's piece of the NYC Solar Schools Program portfolio. NYPA's portfolio so far has added 3.3 megawatts of solar capacity to the NYC schools' power system, providing an equivalent of the energy consumption for 960 New York City households. NYPA's portfolio is being built using contractors affiliated with the Local Union No. 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

"The city's work to bring 27.5 megawatts of renewable energy to our public schools is not only an investment in a cleaner, more affordable grid, it is an investment in the next generation of New Yorkers," said New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung. "We know that rapidly scaling rooftop solar is one of the most cost-effective ways of lowering New Yorker's energy bills, transitioning away from dirty, carbon-emitting peaker plants, and modernizing our grid. Today's milestone marks a major step in the right direction, and an early glimpse of how this Administration is delivering a just transition for all New Yorkers."

"Bringing solar to school rooftops is about more than clean energy-it's about investing directly in the communities these schools serve," said Peter Christakis, Chief Operating Officer at Ameresco. "These projects strengthen local infrastructure, cut emissions, and help turn schools into community hubs for sustainability, while giving students a real-world connection to how clean energy can improve the neighborhoods where they live and learn."

"For the last several years, DCAS has been a great partner to Local Union No. 3 IBEW and our signatory contractors, as they've continued to expand key solar energy infrastructure on schools throughout the city. Our highly trained union electricians bring the expertise needed to build complex projects like the installation at Marie Curie High School, helping the city tackle the dual climate and energy crises we face. DCAS's commitment to using union labor ensures the work associated leads not to short-term, dead-end solar installer jobs but family-sustaining, middle-class Union careers for New Yorkers," said Christopher Erikson Jr., Business Manager Local Union No. 3 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

"Expanding solar energy in New York City's public schools is a smart investment in both our infrastructure and our future. New York Electrical Contractor Association member Sunrise Power Solutions is proud to partner with DCAS, NYPA, and Ameresco to help advance the city's clean energy goals while ensuring these systems are built safely and to the highest standards. The Marie Curie project is a great example of how we can move toward a more sustainable city while strengthening our workforce and communities at the same time," said Peter Rescigno, Executive Secretary New York Electrical Contractors Association.

"When 70% of our city's pollution comes from buildings, investing in public solar power is one of our best tools to reduce emissions, build healthy neighborhoods, and deliver family-sustaining jobs," said Jenille Scott, The Alliance for a Greater New York Climate Director. "We're proud to see NYC prioritize public schools in our decarbonization efforts and look forward to seeing the program expand, especially in Environmental Justice communities most impacted by our changing climate. This milestone brings us one step closer to our vision of Green, Healthy Schools as community havens of clean air, safe work, and healthy learning."

Pictured above: DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei and members of the Green Justice Club at Marie Curie High School

In conjunction with these investments, DCAS and NYCPS are working to connect students and teachers to sustainability and climate education. As of 2025, DCAS and NYCPS have reached 1,500+ teachers and 18,400+ students have been trained and reached through their Solar Schools Education programming in partnership with Solar One, as these efforts are empowering the next generation of NYC's green workforce. NYC Public Schools is also proud to have launched four citywide Climate Action Days each school year to galvanize action and celebrate climate solutions in schools. Each day has a specific focus: Waste; Energy; Health, Wellness, and Green Space; and Water. Annual Youth Climate Summits and other student events provide opportunities for middle and high school students to learn about climate change, policy, advocacy, justice, and green careers.

As codified in Local Law 99 of 2024, the city is mandated to install 100 MW of solar on city-owned property by 2030 and 150 MW by 2035. DCAS has rapidly scaled up its solar development over the last decade, through innovative design and efficient project delivery, and will continue to do so, taking advantage of new tools like the design-build method. As of fiscal year 2024, city government operations reduced GHG emissions 31% from its 2006 baseline. The city has also reduced its overall building energy consumption by 16% over this period. This is the result of significant progress by all city agencies in decarbonizing assets, implementing energy management best practices, and improving the energy efficiency of facilities.

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing city agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:

• Recruiting, hiring, and training city employees.
• Managing 55 public buildings.
• Acquiring, selling, and leasing city property.
• Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for city agencies.
• Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
• Leading the city's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas and by following us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.

About New York City Public Schools

New York City Public Schools is a testament to the history and impact of urban education in the United States. With over 1,600 schools spread across five boroughs, the system is made up of approximately 1 million students and staff, making it the largest public school system in the nation and a key center of sustainability. From transforming building operations to providing environmental education opportunities to all students, schools serve as living laboratories for climate solutions and leadership. These schools employ more than 75,000 teachers who deliver a rich tapestry of educational experiences to a student body that reflects the city's vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. This network of educational institutions represents not just the scale of New York City's commitment to public education, but also its dedication to fostering a learning environment that is as dynamic and diverse as the city itself.

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.