In 2005, Marjam Supply Company, a manufacturer and wholesaler of construction materials, opened Green Depot, a green building supply business. Bright Power was hired to "green" the facilities and reduce their energy costs.

The Green Depot headquarters in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, has manufacturing and warehouse space for distributing building supplies. The south-sloping metal roof protecting building materials was ideal for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (2040 square feet, 22 kW). They also purchased a natural gas generator, which allows them to reduce their peak load and ensures that the facility always has power. 

Incentives: The company received NYSERDA incentives for the solar panel system and for the peak load reducing generator, as well as a North Brooklyn Energy Grant from NYIRN to help cover the cost of the solar installation. The company benefits from a federal tax credit of 30% on the solar equipment, federal 5-year accelerated depreciation (MACRS), and from New York City’s programs: Energy Cost Savings Program (ECSP) and the Business Incentive Rate (BIR).

This project was installed by Solar Energy Systems and Sure Energy. 

Blue Collar Goes Green, a film by the New York Industrial Retention Network, documents Marjam used their North Brooklyn Energy Grant to install a 22-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on the roof of their Brooklyn facility and reduced their energy costs.

Can't see the video?
Click here NYIRN's website for "Blue Collar Goes Green."

Made possible by the NYIRN North Brooklyn Energy Grant Program.