The roof of the MTA's Coney Island Maintenance Facility, with a rendering of solar panels.
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) wants to bring in some Green with its Rooftops.The Authority is looking for Companies to develop Solar Panels on several of its Properties in the Region in hopes of obtaining an Additional Revenue Stream.
A series of Requests for Proposal the MTA Published on Earth Day seeks Companies interested in Paying to Lease Space on Seven Properties the MTA has decided are Suitable for Solar Panels.
The Companies would then Sell Power developed by Solar Panels on the Site back to the Municipal Grid.
The Seven Targeted Properties mark the First round of the Initiative.
The MTA says it has Identified more than 100 Bus Depots, Train Yards, and Commuter Lots suitable for Solar Panels, about 10 Million Square Feet Total.
Those Locations include:
- Ulmer Park Bus Depot | NYCT Department of Buses
- Queens Village Bus Depot | NYCT Department of Buses
- Coney Island Maintenance Facility | NYCT Department of Subways
- Jamaica Maintenance Facility | NYCT Department of Subways
- Hillside Support Facility | Long Island Rail Road
- Cortlandt Station Parking Lot | Metro-North Railroad
- Wassaic Station Operations Lot | Metro-North Railroad
Leasing that Land could provide the Cash-Strapped Authority a Revenue Stream that requires little work from the MTA itself.
Janno Lieber, the MTA's Chief Development Officer, described the Solar Plan as Common-Sense Program to "help the environment while generating a significant amount of new revenue for the MTA."
The Initial Requests for Proposal could Generate up to 6.5 Megawatts of Solar Energy, according to the MTA. The Authority estimates its Overall Plan will eventually Generate enough Solar Electricity to power 18,000 Homes.
MTA Officials will Host Tours at each Site for Interested Developers next month and expects to start Negotiations for the Spaces in the Fall.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
