There are often many state-wide energy incentive programs; however, not every multifamily business is aware of these programs. That’s where Sara Jayanthi, senior NYSERDA Energy Smart Communities coordinator for Solar One, a contractor, comes in.

Jayanthi talks to MHN about why it’s important to have an energy coordinator and the easiest ways for a building to save electricity.

Jayanthi: NYSERDA [New York State Energy Research and Development Authority] is the state energy agency for New York, and they develop incentive programs that New Yorkers can take part in so they can implement energy efficiency or install renewable energy [systems] in their homes or their businesses, or pretty much any property they own.

It’s essentially allowing for market uptake. They develop all these interesting programs, but a lot of times people don’t find them for whatever reason. So my job is really to be an outreach coordinator, working at Solar One. We know our community, we know New York City, we know how to get in touch with people, so NYSERDA gave us the contract to update people about saving energy and renewable energy and how to take part in these programs.

Sometimes energy is a little bit difficult for people to understand. Incentive programs are designed around those complicated ideas. I consider myself a translator for a small business owner, who says, “I really want to reduce my electricity bills,” so I can walk through the process with him and help him understand the engineering concepts in a way that makes sense for him.