SF SunBike to Bring Power to the Streets

Solar Power That Is!

Sustainable Flatbush is proud to announce a partnership with Con Edison to build the SunBike, a mobile solar electric system that gets around in a retrofitted cargo bike.  The SunBike will be able to provide enough energy to power a small sound system and lighting for up to two hours without access to sunlight, and do so much more.

Making Clean Energy A Reality

A rendering of the Sustainable Flatbush SunBike
I’ve dreamed about creating a mobile solar electric system since I started advocating for clean energy at New York City Public Schools five years ago.  With all those beautiful, unshaded flat roofs soaking up the sun’s rays, schools seemed the perfect place to show communities the benefits of clean energy and prepare our students for the green economy at the same time.  But when I discovered that New York City public schools aren’t eligible for New York State’s renewable energy incentives, I resolved that solar would have to get some wheels to reach our city’s 1200 school buildings and over one million students.  And now, with support from ConEd, Sustainable Flatbush can solar-empower school kids, community residents and local businesses alike.

A Vital Learning Tool

SF Intern Mark Miretsky and Energy Solutions Project Manager Jocelyn Cohen with our 10-watt charger at Park(ing) Day 2009
The SunBike (which we used to call the PowerBike) will become the centerpiece of the Sustainable Flatbush Solar Team, a group of local youth who will learn about solar power by studying the SunBike and analyzing all power and energy data collected while the SunBike is in action.  The Solar Team gets in-depth knowledge and leadership skills as they share what they’ve learned with the public when they take the SunBike to the streets.  They will help community residents charge their cell phones, laptops and mp3 players, provide power for events, and anything else they can imagine.  The SunBike will show that renewable energy is not a dream but a reality right now.

The SunBike and You

The SunBike will be a visible presence on the streets of Flatbush starting next summer, at schools, street fairs, on sidewalks at “charging events” under the sponsorship of local businesses, and beyond.  So if you’re walking down the street and you hear a little jingle, it just might be the SunBike coming your way, offering you clean and free power to fuel your day, and showing the way to our clean energy future.

Thanks to ConEd for their generous support of this project!



3 thoughts on “SF SunBike to Bring Power to the Streets”

  • Just wanted to say, because a lot of people ask, NYC public schools aren’t eligible for a lot of NYS energy incentives because they don’t pay the “Systems Benefits Charge,” which is a small fee on most of our electric bills from the regular utilities around the state that funds the incentives. NYC municipal buildings don’t get their energy from ConEd but from the New York Power Authority through a special arrangement.

  • I remember when this was first mentioned a while back and I think it is a great idea! I’m really looking forward to seeing this great solar / pedal project realized. Good luck with getting it completed!

    Steven

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