Taconic Partners and Clarion recently hosted a conference and reception to celebrate the completion of their solar power project at
Quality Communities property,
Eastchester Heights, in the Bronx. Eastchester Heights is a 1,416 unit residential apartment complex which spans five city blocks and 114 individual buildings. Built in 1935 and situated on 14.84 acres, it is among the largest residential communities in the Bronx, and in greater New York City.
Taconic and Clarion contracted
Bright Power, an energy and water management consulting and construction company, to design and install 917 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic panels. By adding solar, Taconic and Clarion are improving an existing property while reducing its emissions. The solar installation will produce over 1.1 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity, equivalent to removing 165 cars from the road for a year or the carbon sequestered by over 12,800 tree seedlings grown over 10 years.
“Clarion Partners is proud of the investment Eastchester Heights is making in clean energy," said Katie Vaz, Managing Director, Clarion. “We are excited to include Eastchester Heights as a contributor to our ever-growing portfolio of properties which collectively produce over 30 MW's of solar power annually."
With new legislation in New York City aimed to reduce emissions from existing buildings, Taconic and Clarion are now one step ahead in helping the city meet its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The solar panels at Eastchester Heights will help New York State reach its goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 and decrease emissions in an area that has the highest asthma rates in the country.
"Bright Power applauds Taconic and Clarion's commitment to clean, renewable energy. A solar installation of this magnitude sets an example for other real estate owners," said Jeff Perlman, Founder and CEO of Bright Power. "Taconic and Clarion are making the Bronx more sustainable while they preserve high-quality affordable workforce housing. It's a win for the Bronx, Eastchester Heights residents, and the environment."
Top photo (L to R): Director of Community Relations Alexandrae Wint; Kevin Riley of NY City Council District 12; Paula Schaefer of Clarion Partners; Andrew Schwartz of Taconic Partners; David Sandbank of NYSERDA; and Jeff Perlman of Bright Power.
