Energy Provider Shines Light on Solar Power

By Harrison Golden

Although the hot days of summer can fill New Yorkers’ minds with anticipation – of leisurely park strolls, farmers markets, and T-shirts – the impending season often worries employees at Consolidated Edison, the city’s largest energy supplier. More blackouts and power shortages occur during the summer than any other time of year. But while engineers at the power provider will remain busy, hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2003 Blackout, a budding competitor’s solar-powered alternative will make its way to the Union Square Greenmarket.

Green Mountain Energy Company has donated $16,599 to GrowNYC, the market’s primary organizer. The money will finance a solar-powered van, parked on a surrounding street, where park-goers can receive lessons and workshops on farming and sustainable energy.

“We could not have imagined a better program to donate our money,” said Paul Markovich, president of Green Mountain. “Both solar power and the Union Square market are critical in bringing sustainability to New York’s ecology and economy.”

This is not Green Mountain’s first contribution to New York’s power supply. It has powered the Empire State Building with solar panels since January 2011. And at the national level, in February, the company partnered with Indianapolis's Lucas Oil Field, providing Super Bowl XLVI with 15 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy.

“New Yorkers will now have access all of the freshest and healthiest foods under the sun while learning about all that the sun can do,” said Michael Hurwitz, director of Greenmarket. “Solar power will bring us full circle moving forward. Nothing Con Ed has done comes close to this.”

Hurwitz added that Con Edison has nearly monopolized the city’s energy. But through educational projects like the market-side van, consumers can better understand the role of smaller providers.

“[Green Mountain] knows how to publicize itself,” he said. “But they also know when to give money to help local causes. They don’t wear themselves thin.”

Markovich hopes that the seasonal rise in temperatures will lead New Yorkers to step outside, away from the air conditioners, and to appreciate the environmental impact of energy.

“This is a perfect time to learn about how solar power affects us,” added Markovich. “The Greenmarket van will let people understand all the issues that the big energy companies leave in the dark.”