Brooklyn Museum Gets $48M Green Energy Upgrade

The Brooklyn Museum will undergo a $48 million energy efficiency overhaul aimed at reducing emissions and modernizing building systems at the historic Eastern Parkway site.

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services, the Brooklyn Museum and the New York Power Authority on Tuesday announced the project, which includes the installation of a solar carport over the museum’s existing parking area, generating renewable energy while providing shaded parking. The system will also allow real-time monitoring of energy production and usage to support long-term energy management.Work is expected to be completed by mid-2027.

“This administration is putting every square inch of this city to work in our green transition,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “The $48 million energy efficiency project at Brooklyn Museum will transform a century-old building into a modern example of our sustainable future. by reducing emissions and improving efficiency, this project is good for our environment, good for our health and good for our city and all who call it home.”

Additional upgrades include a new building management system, HVAC improvements and the electrification of the museum’s humidification system, which helps maintain proper conditions for artwork preservation.

The existing steam heating plant will be replaced with a high-efficiency hot water system that incorporates heat-recovery technology. The system will capture waste heat from cooling operations and redirect it for heating needs, reducing overall energy demand.

The upgrades are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 3,300 metric tons annually, equivalent to removing roughly 725 vehicles from the road.

The Brooklyn Museum project is part of a broader city effort to upgrade energy systems in public buildings and cultural institutions. Similar work has recently been completed or announced at sites including the Museum of the Moving Image, the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Bronx Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.