By NewsBlogger SolarKal has partnered with EPR Properties to develop a 1.4-megawatt community solar project atop the New Roc City complex in New Rochelle, New York. This move is strategic toward sustainability and clean energy adoption. The project is designed to power common areas of the mixed-use property while offering discounted solar subscriptions to local residents and businesses.
Project Highlights:
- 1.4-MW community solar array to be installed on the rooftop of New Roc City.
- Developed through a collaboration between SolarKal and EPR Properties.
- Aims to reduce operating costs and generate long-term lease revenue for EPR.
- Up to 150 local subscribers to benefit from utility bill savings.
- The project is currently under construction with SolarKal managing the execution.
Bringing Clean Energy to a Landmark Property
New Roc City is a well-known entertainment and retail destination in New Rochelle, serving as a community hub. After conducting a portfolio-wide feasibility analysis, SolarKal identified the rooftop of this high-profile property as an ideal location for a community solar project.
“EPR’s New Roc City was the perfect fit,” said a SolarKal representative. “It not only provides ample rooftop space, but also serves a diverse surrounding community that can benefit directly from solar energy.”
G&S Solar will develop the system, which was chosen through a competitive RFP process. Once completed, it will deliver sustainable power to the building’s shared areas and offer approximately 150 community subscribers solar energy savings.
Community Benefits and Financial Impact
This partnership is designed to unlock multiple layers of value:
- Environmental impact: Reduced reliance on fossil fuels and increased access to renewable energy.
- Economic advantage: Lower electricity costs for both EPR Properties and local residents.
- Financial upside: Ongoing lease revenue from hosting the solar installation.
By making community solar more accessible, the project meets sustainability goals and supports New York’s broader clean energy targets.
In Related Energy News: Storage Growth Across Europe
Across the Atlantic, Europe’s energy storage sector is also seeing rapid growth. Forecasts suggest storage capacity will exceed 250 GW by 2034, with utility-scale systems accounting for half of that figure. However, only about 2% of current utility-scale projects operate under power purchase agreements (PPAs) or tolling contracts.
Key developments include:
- 14 EU nations now have energy storage targets in their national energy plans.
- Co-located solar + storage projects are growing, often mixing DC and AC-coupled designs.
- Due to grid constraints, battery retrofits on existing solar farms are common in Germany.
- Grid-charged hybrid projects often require new interconnection permits.
- CapEx is falling, while banks show increased interest in merchant-risk BESS financing.
Energy management systems are becoming critical to optimize revenues and manage operations.
Software Innovation in Utility-Scale Solar: Castillo Engineering’s $2.5M Investment
In the U.S., Castillo Engineering has invested $2.5 million into two proprietary platforms—PMO 360 and Design IQ—to improve transparency and efficiency in solar project development.
- PMO 360 offers clients real-time access to project milestones, engineering documentation, team details, and component data.
- Design IQ leverages project data to automate the drafting of PV schematics and AutoCAD plans for utility-scale solar installations.
These tools will be used internally to support Castillo’s utility-scale projects, streamlining the design process and improving client communication.
Conclusion
From rooftop solar projects in New York to battery storage scaling across Europe, the renewable energy sector continues to evolve rapidly. Partnerships like SolarKal and EPR’s New Roc City installation highlight how property owners and clean energy companies can collaborate for mutual gain—cutting costs, meeting sustainability goals, and benefiting local communities.
