Opinion: Bringing Solar Energy to NYC Schools and Public Buildings

“This solar program is a game changer: it will reduce harmful air pollution, fight climate change, and create high-quality jobs installing and maintaining solar panels.”

This month, students, teachers, and union workers gathered at P.S.19/M315 in Manhattan to celebrate a huge win for our communities and our planet: a new law is setting our city on a path toward a more sustainable, livable future. This law will bring solar power to hundreds of schools and public buildings, creating cleaner air, green union jobs, and millions of dollars in energy cost savings for New York City.

Back in September, the New York City Council took a historic step forward by unanimously passing the Public Solar Bill, Local Law 99. This groundbreaking legislation commits us to installing 100 megawatts (MW) of solar energy on public buildings by 2030, with an ambitious but achievable goal to reach 150 MW by 2035.

To put it in perspective, that will bring solar to approximately 700 public buildings. That’s not just progress—that’s a blueprint for how we can use climate action to uplift working people.

Two-thirds of New York City’s carbon emissions currently come from buildings, warming our planet and polluting our air. We must take action to clean up our city, and we can do it in a way that supports New York workers. This solar program is a game changer: it will reduce harmful air pollution, fight climate change, and create high-quality jobs installing and maintaining solar panels. The law is more than just a win for the environment; it’s a lifeline for our kids, our families, and our future.

Union careers are the backbone of our city’s middle and working class. A union card means fair wages, benefits, training, and a democratic voice on the job for workers. And in a city where the cost of living keeps rising, green union jobs offer something important: a chance to build a better future.

Working people are hit hardest by the impacts of climate change. When wildfire smoke fills our skies or storms flood our subways, it’s workers who get up and do the jobs that keep our city running. That’s why labor is leading to create a clean energy economy that protects our environment and works for working people.

One of the driving forces behind this victory is Climate Jobs New York, a coalition of labor unions committed to combating climate change and inequality. Working closely with the City Council, unions fought every step of the way for this legislation. City workers wanted greener schools for students and workers. Nurses and teachers wanted solar on schools to cut pollution and reduce asthma, which is the leading cause of school absenteeism. Construction workers were eager for green jobs that would help build a healthier city. And all of us want—and deserve—a healthier city where every child and every family can thrive.  

This law isn’t just a win for this city, it’s a model for the nation. Other big cities can look to us for how to upgrade public buildings to run on clean energy while supporting workers. That’s the future we’re building here in New York.

Today, we take our victory lap as this new law officially takes effect, but tomorrow the work doesn’t stop. We’ll continue fighting to make sure the city meets the ambitious goals set out by the law. Union workers are ready to get to work. We will hold the city to account every step of the way—because the stakes are higher than ever.

The Public Solar law is a monumental win for our kids, the climate, and jobs. But we can’t stop now. With labor and city leaders working hand in hand, we’ll ensure this law is implemented to its fullest. We’ll make sure our communities breathe cleaner air, run on greener energy, and have access to good, union jobs that create pathways to shared prosperity for all New Yorkers.

The future is bright—and it’s powered by the people.

Sandy Nurse is a member of the New York City Council representing the 37th District, which includes Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills, Cityline and East New York. Gary LaBarbera is president of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council. He is also a director of Climate Jobs New York.