Solar Landscape and Duke Realty Recognized as Top National Community Solar Project in Solar Builder’s 2021 Project of the Year Awards
Four-Site Project Portfolio in NJ Selected as Top Community Solar Project in the Country
Asbury Park, NJ, November 10, 2021 – Indianapolis-based Duke Realty and Solar Landscape, New Jersey’s top-ranked solar developer, today announced they were selected as the best Community Solar project in Solar Builder’s 2021 Project of the Year Awards for their collaborative community solar portfolio spanning three different New Jersey municipalities.
In 2021, Solar Landscape and Duke worked together to install nearly 11 megawatts DC of solar energy that is currently powering 1,800 New Jersey households from arrays on four Duke facilities as part of New Jersey’s Community Solar Energy Pilot Program Year One.
“We are continuously looking for ways to make gains toward our ESG goal as a developer and owner of industrial facilities to be a more environmentally responsible corporate citizen and our work with Solar Landscape truly aligns with that goal,” said Megan Basore, Duke Realty’s Vice President of Corporate Responsibility. “It is an honor to be recognized by Solar Builder for our community solar project and we plan to expand our renewable energy initiatives across the country.”
“This award gives credence to New Jersey’s growing community solar program,” said Shaun Keegan, CEO of Solar Landscape. “We are grateful to Duke Realty for being such a great partner and helping us establish a successful community solar model that supports clean energy equity. Together we are making solar energy accessible, regardless of income or the ability to install solar panels on a residence. It is our hope this project will inspire other solar developers and like-minded businesses to replicate the model in communities nationwide.”
National Recognition for a New Community Solar Program
Unique factors that contributed to this accolade from Solar Builder include the fact that these community solar projects include no anchor subscriber. Solar Landscape distributes the electricity the projects produce to household subscribers, 51% of which must be low- and moderate-income households. Additionally, as part of the Community Solar Pilot Program, Solar Landscape trained more than 100 solar installers, partnering with community-based organizations across New Jersey to integrate workforce development and education into the projects.
“Each year we receive many noteworthy nominations, and 2021 was no exception,” noted Chris Crowell, Editor of Solar Builder. “We congratulate Solar Landscape and Duke Realty on being selected as this year’s winner for Community Solar Project of the Year. Their project is a great example of how community solar gives greater access to green energy, creates jobs, and promotes cleaner, healthier communities.”
This same collaboration between Solar Landscape and Duke Realty was recognized earlier this year by Governor Phil Murphy when he joined them as the two parties officially powered on New Jersey’s first community solar project in Perth Amboy. At the time, Governor Murphy commented, “Transitioning our state to clean energy will not only reduce the harmful emissions polluting our air, but it will also spur much-needed economic growth and create career opportunities for a diverse workforce to participate in the clean energy innovation economy.”
Moving New Jersey Community Solar Forward
In October 2021, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved Solar Landscape to begin 46 new community solar projects as part of the New Jersey Office of Clean Energy’s Community Solar Pilot Program Year Two. The projects are expected to generate nearly 51 megawatts of solar energy that will be accessible to New Jersey residents — particularly low- to moderate-income families.
As part of the program, Solar Landscape has partnered with nonprofits and community partners to train dozens of New Jersey residents to install solar panels on rooftops at week-long training sessions across the state. That work earned Solar Landscape’s director of community engagement Kate Gold the “Top Solar Changemaker” designation from Solar Power World. Recently, Gold shared her experiences in creating the company’s workforce development program with Nico Johnson on a recent episode of his podcast, SunCast.
Solar Landscape has also partnered with New Jersey community colleges, technical schools and nonprofits to introduce schoolchildren and college students to the potential of working in the solar energy industry as part of its Green Ambassador Program. Most recently, Solar Landscape and nonprofit Sustainable Jersey City awarded $20,000 in scholarships to high school seniors through its Community Sustainability Challenge scholarships.
To learn more about Solar Landscape’s community solar projects and its commitment to New Jersey’s clean energy economy, visit www.SolarLandscape.com.
About Solar Landscape
Based in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Solar Landscape is a leading New Jersey developer, designer, installer, owner, and operator of community solar and solar energy solutions for the commercial/industrial, municipal, public school and non-profit marketplace. The company has installed more than 110 megawatts of commercial solar energy projects in the Northeast. For more updates on Solar Landscape, visit the website (www.solarlandscape.com) or on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.
About Duke Realty
Duke Realty owns, maintains an interest in or has underdevelopment more than 7.6 million square feet of industrial real estate in New Jersey. Nationally, the company owns and operates 155 million square feet of rentable industrial assets in 20 major U.S. logistics markets. Duke Realty is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol DRE and is a member of the S&P 500. The company maintains a Baa1 rating from Moody’s Investor Service and a BBB+ rating from Standard & Poor’s Financial Services. More information about Duke Realty Corporation is available at www.dukerealty.com. Duke Realty also can be followed on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
About Community Solar in New Jersey
Solar Landscape’s community solar installations are part of the New Jersey BPU’s Community Solar Pilot Program, which is administered by New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program. Enrollment is open to renters and property owners with no cost to join, no long-term contracts and guaranteed cost savings. In addition to developing the projects, Solar Landscape is working with non-profit organizations and community leaders to educate residents about the benefits of community solar.
Residents interested in subscribing to Solar Landscape’s community solar projects can enroll at www.GoSolarLandscape.com.
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