Sessions
Challenges: Greening affordable housing
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Thu
Jeffrey Perlman is the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Bright Power. An experienced energy auditor, energy analyst, and solar-energy-system designer, Jeff is as happy in a boiler room or on a rooftop as he is in a corporate boardroom.
As CEO, he built Bright Power from a single rented desk in a shared office into an industry leader. Jeff was named to Crain's New York 40 Under 40 Class of 2018, listed as a 2019 Environmental + Energy Leader 100 honoree, recognized as a top power player by City & State’s Energy & Environment Power list in 2019 and 2020, recognized as a RealLeaders Earth Advocate in 2021, and recognized as a top impact CEO by the MO 100 Awards in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, he moved into the role of Chief Strategy Officer to focus on the growing opportunities that are emerging from city, state and federal initiatives as well as driving the sustainable buildings industry forward through policy activities and thought leadership.
In addition to his work at Bright Power, Jeff serves on the board of the New Alternatives Fund, a mutual fund that invests in renewable energy. He has taught as adjunct faculty at NYU, CUNY, and Pratt. Prior to founding Bright Power, Jeff worked with Greg Kats at Capital E, with whom he co-authored “The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings,” a ground-breaking report that used economic cost/benefit analysis to show that building healthy, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible buildings makes economic sense.
Outside of improving the sustainability and comfort of the built environment, Jeff is an accomplished clarinetist. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and three sons, with whom he enjoys making milk carton solar cars, soda bottle rockets and coaching little league.
Jeff has a B.S. in Applied Physics from Yale University.