Rooftops, Residents, and Opportunity: How Accord Power Is Expanding Access to Clean Energy in New York City

The clean energy transition is reshaping communities across New York City, creating new opportunities for energy savings, workforce development, and environmental equity. While solar adoption is often associated with single-family homes and private property owners, community solar programs are expanding access to renewable energy for residents of multifamily housing and underserved neighborhoods.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Queens, Accord Power Inc. is a certified Minority Business Enterprise specializing in commercial, industrial, and multifamily solar installations throughout New York and New Jersey. Over the past fifteen years, the company has completed more than 500 projects and played a role in advancing some of New York City’s most significant solar initiatives.

In addition to developing solar infrastructure, Accord Power has participated in projects designed to broaden access to clean energy benefits for low- and moderate-income communities. Through partnerships with community organizations, workforce development programs, and public agencies, the company has supported efforts that combine renewable energy deployment with local job creation.

The Community Power Program

One example is the Community Power Program, a collaboration among Accord Power, Solar One, Con Edison, Green City Force, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice. The initiative brought community solar installations to three New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments: Carver Houses in East Harlem, Glenwood Houses in Flatlands, and Kingsborough Houses in Crown Heights. (https://communitypower.nyc/project-details/)

The project delivered approximately 1.2 megawatts of community solar capacity across 40 residential buildings and provided access to community solar benefits for more than 400 low- and moderate-income households.

A key component of the initiative was workforce development. NYCHA residents who completed Solar One’s Green Workforce Training Program participated in the installation process, gaining hands-on experience in the growing clean energy sector while helping build renewable energy infrastructure within their own communities.

Program leaders have cited the initiative as an example of how renewable energy investments can deliver both environmental and economic benefits. By combining solar deployment with workforce training, the project created opportunities for residents to participate directly in New York City’s clean energy transition.

Building on that model, Accord Power and Solar One later launched the NYC Sun Collective through NYCHA’s ACCESSolar program. The initiative is expected to generate approximately 7 megawatts of community solar capacity while expanding paid apprenticeships, high school internships, and clean energy education opportunities in communities across South Brooklyn and Queens.

Workforce Development Through Clean Energy Training

Accord Power’s commitment to workforce development extends beyond traditional project sites. The company sponsors solar training instruction within Rikers Island, providing participants with exposure to solar installation practices and career pathways within the renewable energy industry.

The program introduces incarcerated individuals to skills that are increasingly in demand as the clean energy sector continues to expand. Participants receive hands-on instruction designed to help prepare them for employment opportunities upon reentry into their communities.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts by advocates and policymakers to connect clean energy investment with workforce development and economic mobility. Organizations associated with the Renewable Rikers movement have proposed transforming portions of the island into renewable energy infrastructure while creating training and employment opportunities for justice-impacted New Yorkers. (https://rpa.org/news/news-release/renewable-rikers-island-green-infrastructure)

By supporting solar workforce education programs, Accord Power is helping expand access to industry knowledge and career opportunities for individuals who may face barriers to employment. The effort reflects a growing recognition that the clean energy transition can serve not only environmental goals, but also workforce and community development objectives.