Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens Reflects on Collaboration with Bright Power as they Celebrate 20 Years of Energy Efficiency
Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is committed to creating safe and affordable housing for those in need, which includes a mission to make our buildings energy efficient and sustainable with the help of Bright Power, a company that provides energy solutions in buildings throughout the nation.
As Bright Power celebrates its 20-year anniversary this year, the company is reflecting on its growth and collaborations that help Bright Power accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon future by providing sustainable energy solutions in buildings.
Bright Power and Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens began its collaboration in 2011 with one of the earliest Enterprise Green Communities project certifications of the Peter J. Striano Senior Residence in Howard Beach, Queens. Today, both are committed to sustainable and efficient design for affordable housing and this continues with the ongoing construction of the Gail P. Duke Senior Residence in Brownsville, Brooklyn as Catholic Charities first all-electric, Passive House certified project.
In 2021, Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens launched a non-profit renewable energy entity focused on climate change called the Laudato Si Corporation. Laudato Si’ is the name of Pope Francis’ 2015 powerful encyclical that addresses the imperative of working to create a healthy planet. Laudato Si’ teaches us that combating climate change and protecting the environment are our responsibilities for the Earth and humanity.
In 2021, the Catholic Charities’ Laudato Si’ Corporation partnered with Bright Power to achieve its goal of generating renewable energy by installing solar photovoltaic systems on previously underutilized roof space of existing affordable housing developments.
In this first phase, Catholic Charities’ Peter J. Striano Senior Residence in Howard Beach, and the Bishop Joseph V. Daily Residence and Bishop Joseph Sullivan Residence, part of Caring Communities Supportive Housing in Brooklyn, were retrofitted with solar photovoltaic arrays to produce renewable energy with community solar benefits for residents.
“The project makes use of a Community Solar Agreement, which sells the solar power generated from these buildings to off takers, such as local households that wish to purchase electricity from a local, renewable source,” Director of Laudato Si David Downs said.
Patty Dwyer, 73-years-old, is a resident of the Howard Beach Senior Residence in Howard Beach, Queens, who signed up for Community Solar in 2022. Dwyer was recently featured in The New York Times to discuss her savings through the community solar program.
“Now, I probably save about $75 a year. Solar is 100 percent better, forget about it,” Dwyer said in the article.
Through Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens’ Laudato Si Corporation, and Bright Power’s collaborative efforts, steps are being made toward a cleaner and more prosperous zero carbon future for our communities.
To learn more about Bright Power and its mission to provide a healthy, resilient and energy efficient future, visit www.brightpower.com.