Solar power was ‘useless’ post-Sandy, Solarize Brooklyn wants to change that

Even after the storm cleared and the sun was shining again, residential solar power was useless in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy last year.

Though it proved valuable afterward, ConEd workers needed to be sure that no power was going through the system so they could safely work to restore it. That meant everything was shut down, whether it could operate or not.

That’s something that Solarize Brooklyn is working to solve as part of its mission of making solar energy attainable and viable for homeowners.

New technology, called inverters, may enable solar homes to keep generating but close their power off from the grid in emergencies. The technology isn’t live, but it’s coming.

Meanwhile, during normal weather, ConEd is now buying back excess solar power from about 1,300 homes and businesses with solar roofs.

This from WNYC’s New Tech City report on Solarize Brooklyn, the nonprofit helping Brooklyn homeowners wade through paperwork to get solar installed. They’ve signed up 375 homes, mainly in Kensington, Windsor Terrace and Flatbush, so far, including some who say in past years solar energy simply looked too rich.

Now, homeowners who go through Solarize Brooklyn will get a discounted installation.

For property owners in the five boroughs, SustainableCUNY has developed a solar map to help you assess the potential for solar power in your area.