Brooklyn SolarWorks has installed the first residential battery energy storage system (BESS) within New York City limits. Located in Chinatown, the landmark project pairs a 19.6-kWh battery system with a solar canopy.
Gaelen McKee, president of Brooklyn SolarWorks and Brooke Plantz, business development manager at Briggs & Stratton, pose in front of New York City’s first residential battery storage system, shaded by a solar canopy. Credit: Brooklyn Solar Works
The Briggs & Stratton AccESS energy storage system, which is currently the only residential storage system permitted for installation on New York City’s rooftops, was installed to complement an existing solar canopy from Brooklyn SolarWorks.
“This installation is a testament to our commitment to bringing innovative, clean energy solutions to New York City, ” said T.R. Ludwig, founder and CEO of Brooklyn SolarWorks. “Our team led the charge on rooftop solar in this city a decade ago and now we have the opportunity to lay the groundwork for BESS infrastructure, which the city will need as energy demand continues to rise. We are incredibly proud to have made this groundbreaking project a reality.”
This project was eight years in the making. Brooklyn SolarWorks and Briggs & Stratton have been working to amend the city’s permitting regulations to accept on-site energy storage installations for residential customers. New York City Council is currently considering changes to city fire code related to residential energy storage permitting.
“We’ve spent years working with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and New York City government agencies to enable residential battery storage for New Yorkers,” says Sequoya Cross, VP of energy storage for Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions. “Our AccESS system is the only residential ESS to receive a certificate of approval (COA) from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). The COA is significant since New York has some of the most stringent fire safety rules for energy storage systems anywhere in the world. Since they produce very little heat and have a reduced risk of thermal runaway, our batteries don’t require additional fire suppression systems or cooling or ventilation measures.”
With this installation, Brooklyn SolarWorks and Briggs & Stratton created the framework for battery energy siting in New York City, opening opportunities to residents across the five boroughs.
News item from Brooklyn SolarWorks
