NYC's First Solar-Powered Brownstone Comes to Brooklyn

A local alternative-energy company is creating the city’s first solar-powered brownstone in the tree-lined Brooklyn neighborhood. Voltaic Solaire is gut renovating a century-old brownstone as part of a $1 million project that will create six rental units, a lounge and a restaurant — all powered by the sun.

The site at 367 Fifth Ave., near Fifth Street, will be fully powered by a 15,000-watt solar- panel system on its rooftop and terrace awnings, providing all electric, heat and hot water on site. “It’s a one-of-a-kind project,” said Ron Faia, a co-owner of Voltaic Solaire.

Apartment rents will run from $1,600 to $2,600 monthly, but there will be big savings on energy costs.

Construction - which began last week - is expected to be completed early in 2013. The historic facade will remain intact.

The company, later this year, is set to open the nation’s first mixed-use, solar- and wind-powered development, which it is nearing completion on Hamilton Avenue in Carroll Gardens.



The sleek, five-story triangular building, called “The Delta” will feature a bed and breakfast business and restaurant. The building is partly skinned with 1,700 square feet of amber- and red-colored solar panels, matching its brick facade.