Plankton Energy Powers Staten Island Retail Facility with 304 kW Rooftop Solar System

Staten Island, NY — Plankton Energy has partnered with a Staten Island retail buildingManufacturing to deliver a 304.4-kilowatt (kW) rooftop community solar project. he system will generate more than 381,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually from 761 high-efficiency solar modules, providing both long-term financial benefits for the host and expanded renewable energy access for the surrounding community.

Community Solar Model Unlocks Broad Participation

The project was structured under a community solar model, enabling electricity generated onsite to be distributed to local households and businesses. Subscribers receive monthly bill credits, reducing their utility costs while supporting New York City’s clean energy transition.

This model extends the value of the project beyond the host property, ensuring that Staten Island residents—including renters, small businesses, and families without rooftop solar options—can participate in and benefit from renewable energy. By linking commercial rooftop capacity to community access, Plankton Energy creates scalable, replicable models for distributed generation across the Tri-State region.

Carbon Reduction and ESG Performance

In addition to financial benefits, the project supports measurable sustainability outcomes. Over its lifespan, the system will displace more than 4,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions—the equivalent of avoiding the consumption of over 525,000 gallons of gasoline.

For small and mid-sized manufacturers, demonstrating ESG performance is increasingly important to customers, partners, and lenders. Staten Island Kitchen Cabinets’ investment in solar positions the company as a forward-looking operator aligned with broader decarbonization efforts in New York City.

Leveraging Industrial Roof Space as an Energy Asset

Manufacturing facilities often feature large, flat rooftops with high solar potential. This project demonstrates how underutilized roof space can be converted into productive energy infrastructure, generating long-term financial returns and strengthening operational resilience.

By optimizing available square footage, Plankton Energy transformed the facility’s roof into a dual-purpose asset: maintaining its industrial function while generating clean energy that benefits both the host company and the wider community.

Supporting New York’s Climate and Energy Goals

New York State continues to drive aggressive renewable energy adoption under its Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which targets 70% renewable electricity by 2030. Community solar plays a critical role in achieving these benchmarks by broadening participation beyond property owners with suitable rooftops.

The Staten Island project contributes to these statewide goals while demonstrating how small businesses can play an outsized role in building distributed energy infrastructure. By pairing local generation with community access, the project strengthens grid resilience and delivers economic value across multiple stakeholders.

Turnkey Delivery by Plankton Energy

Plankton Energy managed the Staten Island Kitchen Cabinets project as a fully turnkey engagement. Services included:

• Feasibility analysis of rooftop potential and structural capacity

   

• Custom financial modeling aligned with community solar program structures

   

• Engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) oversight

   

• Interconnection and utility coordination with Con Edison

   

• Subscriber management to enroll households and small businesses into the program

   

• Ongoing operations and maintenance to ensure consistent system performance

   

By overseeing the entire process, Plankton removed technical and financial barriers for the host company, allowing it to capture the full value of solar while continuing to focus on core manufacturing operations.

Project Snapshot: Staten Island, NY

• System Size: 304.4 kW DC

   

• Building Type: Industrial / Manufacturing Facility

   

• Mounting Type: Rooftop

   

• Agreement Type: Community Solar

   

• Location: Staten Island, NY

   

• Estimated Annual Generation: ~381,000 kWh

   

• Host Benefits:  Predictable operating costs, ESG performance enhancement

   

• Community Benefits: Discounted bill credits for households and small businesses, expanded solar access, support for state climate goals

   

About Plankton Energy

Plankton Energy is a national turnkey solar developer specializing in customized renewable energy solutions for commercial real estate owners, mission-driven institutions, and community stakeholders. Through its fully managed, zero-upfront-cost model, Plankton enables properties to reduce operating expenses, generate predictable revenue, and support the transition to decentralized clean energy.