Queens business helps Sandy-struck shops capture natural light
One Rockaway-based business is using unique technology to make local residents and merchants less reliant on that grid while directing more daylight into their buildings.
"Not only does it save electricity, but it's much healthier," said
Shea and his wife, Susan, co-own the business that was one of 11 finalists in the RISE:NYC contest run by the city's
The EDC received close to 200 applications from firms around the world with ideas to make Sandy-impacted businesses more resilient against future storms.
EDC is using
"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods," said
NYC Daylighting was chosen to install Solatubes at 30 businesses in the Rockaway area. The technology directs sunlight into businesses, but does not harness it like solar power.
Last week, workers from the company were installing a series of Solatubes at
After the Solatubes were installed, the inside of the gym received considerably more natural light.
"It's a tubular skylight,"
Shea, who grew up in
"We were doing really well when the storm hit," he said. "It just kind of shut us down. We lost all our tools and our stock. Our house was a wreck like everyone else in town."
He came across the RISE competition while searching for programs that could help him restart his business.
"I thought this is a perfect fit because it's exactly what we are doing, making businesses more resilient," Shea said, who expects to complete his two-year contract with EDC by October.
Daylighting also allows businesses to use backup generators for other needs, such as refrigeration.
The other RISE winners focused on resilient solutions to boost telecommunications systems, flood protection and energy technologies.
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