Customer Profile: The New York City Parks and Recreation Department is home to more than 30,000 acres of land, consisting of over 5,000 individual properties such as beaches, parks, athletic and recreational facilities, playgrounds, nature centers, golf courses, and museums. The NYC Department of Parks and Recreation takes care of over 840 acres of land, including Central Park, which garners over 25 million visitors per year.
Challenge: With responsibility for a significant portion of NYC’s landmass, the Parks and Recreation Department aimed to pinpoint the most suitable locations for photovoltaic (PV) solar installations. The objective was to strategically deploy solar projects across their expansive portfolio, combating greenhouse gas emissions while maximizing renewable energy generation.
Stark Solution: Stark Tech conducted a desktop study to identify the highest potential solar farm sites for more focused due diligence in accordance with NYC Parks program goals. The screening analysis evaluated each location for annual solar irradiance based on site location utilizing publicly available light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and included impacts of nearby shading from light poles, trees, and adjacent buildings.
The solar resource analysis included an evaluation of the incoming solar radiation cast over the 8,760 one-hour intervals within a year. The resultant data describes the anticipated annual solar irradiance over the analyzed geographic area. The solar radiation data was then classified relative to peak annual sun hours anticipated for the local region to determine which sites had the least impact due to shading.
Project Result: The top 21 sites that were selected by the screening were passed through a more detailed technical feasibility study, which included a financial and technical assessment with the goal of narrowing the field to the top 5 most desirable sites for development. Criteria included the proposed system size, associated energy production for each site, shading analysis, installation recommendations, and the potential for on-site storage backup power for emergency events. Financing options evaluated included support from the private sector, NYSERDA programs, and from NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services
Demonstrated Capabilities:
- Bulk screening of potential solar sites
- Independent engineering analysis
- Interconnection analysis
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Stark Tech is a market leading technology provider, delivering turnkey solutions with master systems integration, equipment, and service, and building analytics that drive sustainability goals and keep facilities on their mission. Stark Tech also manufacturers large, skidded equipment that decarbonizes and reduces greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy sources and by converting waste into renewable natural gas.
