JCC partners with GSPP to make profound environmental changes through solar

Green Street Power Partners has completed construction on a 283 kW solar system at the Shames Jewish Community Center on the Hudson in Tarrytown, spanning three roofs on JCC’s community center, aquatics center and fitness center. The energy provided by this solar system is expected to offset ~65% of JCC’s power, saving the nonprofit ~$1.5M over its lifetime. Beyond the financial benefits, the CO2 eliminated by the system is the equivalent of taking 54 cars off the road every year.

For JCC leadership, the decision to go solar was an easy one to make: “we saw solar power as a way to accomplish a number of things at once,” said Rabbi Andrew Ergas, Executive Director of JCC. “We could save money on our energy costs so that more of our membership and fundraising dollars could be spent on programming and enhancing the member experience at the JCC. It would allow us to reduce our carbon footprint by using a renewable energy source. Plus, we had a unique opportunity to lead our community by example; to walk the walk, not just talk about our responsibility to care for our planet and our environment. Tikkun Olam is a central Jewish value. It means ‘Repair the World.'”

“Nonprofits provide so much to the community,” stated Scott Kerner, CEO and Co-founder of Green Street. “Every little bit they can save is just that much more they’re able to give back to what really matters – the members of the community. We truly look forward to helping JCC and as many other nonprofits as we can.”

JCC’s system is scheduled to be fully operational in spring of next year, and GSPP is delighted to work with this positive community establishment in Tarrytown.