Solar Panels on Roofs Powering Riverdale
During the summer, while Riverdale students were relaxing, attending summer programs, and travelling, the Hill Campus executed a very exciting project: the installation of solar panels. Two new arrays were installed on the roofs of Mow and the Aquatic Center, in addition to the one that already exists on top of the Jeslo Harris Theater.
Though the installation occurred in June, the sustainability team had been proposing and planning this project for several years. Riverdale’s Director of Environmental Stewardship, Ms. Angela Costanzo, explained that the solar initiative began with former art teacher Mr. Josh Merrow, who was very interested in solar energy and understanding the school’s carbon emissions. Mr. Merrow started talking to Joel Grayson, an alumnus of the Class of 2024, who quickly “took this idea by the reins,” according to Ms. Costanzo. With her help, Grayson began to organize meetings, draft documents, and craft a proposal outlining the economic and social benefits of installing solar panels. He presented this detailed proposal to Ms. Kari Ostrem, Head of School, when she arrived two years ago, and the senior leadership team then took control of the project and brought it to fruition. This installation is the culmination of extensive planning, discussion, and contributions from various people within the Riverdale community who care about making the campus more sustainable through clean energy technology.
As soon as Riverdale receives a permit to connect the solar panels to the electrical grid, the panels will begin producing electricity. Although they will not produce enough electricity to power entire buildings on campus, they will still play an important role in reducing Riverdale’s total carbon emissions. By reducing the amount of electricity that comes from the burning of fossil fuels, these solar panels bring Riverdale a step closer to transitioning to renewable energy. However, if Riverdale is to be fully self-sufficient with clean energy, it needs to significantly cut back on energy consumption. Due to space constraints, it is practically impossible to build enough solar panels on campus to provide for the school’s sizable electricity use, but other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal energy, might prove to be viable options in the future. These goals for a transition to clean energy are not specific to Riverdale; local laws like the New York City Climate Act set ambitious deadlines, including 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, and encourage institutions to reduce their energy consumption.
Alongside major projects like the solar panel installation, there are also many smaller sustainability initiatives that are taking place at Riverdale. For example, the Solar 101 Workshop in April 2025 provided an opportunity for students to learn about and interact with solar panels in a lesson organized by the renewable energy company Radial Power. In addition, Riverdale will be conducting another waste audit this year to better understand where the school’s waste comes from and how to reduce it. Finally, the Freight Farm, Riverdale’s vertical farming system located next to Lindenbaum, continues to sustainably and efficiently grow fresh, year-round produce.
Though reducing Riverdale’s emissions may seem daunting because of how much power the school requires, a lower-emission future is promising. Riverdale has already demonstrated a strong commitment to solar panels and other important sustainability projects on campus. Junior Keira Chen, who participated in the Stanford Climate Leaders Fellowship, feels “relieved that Riverdale is taking concrete steps towards a more sustainable future” and is “excited to see what other ways the campus can use renewable technologies.” Ayleen Strauss, another Junior, believes that “Riverdale is a lot more dedicated to sustainability than other schools” and feels “lucky to attend a school that cares about developing sustainable solutions.” Installing solar panels is just one step in the larger transition to renewable energy, but it sets the stage for many future sustainable developments on campus.