Solar Landscape energizes 2.3-MW rooftop community solar project in New Jersey
Solar Landscape announced that another of its portfolio of first-year community solar projects is energized and delivering clean energy to local residents in northeast New Jersey. The 2.3-MWDC project, located in the Wood-Ridge borough on the rooftop of Duke Realty’s warehouse at 5 Ethel Boulevard, is now powering more than 375 local homes with clean solar energy.
The Wood-Ridge project is the sixth community solar project Solar Landscape has energized in 2021.
“It is great to see that Solar Landscape has energized another project that will benefit North Jersey ratepayers,” said Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli. “The purpose of community solar is to provide energy equity and access for all and that’s exactly what this project does. Hudson and Bergen County residents get the benefits of solar energy — cleaner air and lower costs — without the need for solar panels on their rooftop. We continue to support clean energy initiatives across the state.”
The installation at 5 Ethel Boulevard is one of four rooftop community solar projects installed by Solar Landscape on Duke Realty facilities. Together, the four projects are expected to generate more than 13 million kilowatt hours of solar power to New Jersey communities.
“Duke Realty remains committed to thoughtful and sustainable practices that take into consideration the impact we have on the communities we serve,” said Megan Basore, Duke Realty’s VP of corporate responsibility. “By teaming with Solar Landscape and participating in New Jersey’s Community Solar Pilot Program we are working to be good corporate citizens and helping the residents of Bergen and Hudson counties, while leading the way for a clean energy future.”
Solar Landscape also announced that 51% of the electricity generated from the project will be sold to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households and that every subscriber receives a guaranteed discount in electricity expenses every month they are part of the program.
In addition to the project being fully energized, it is also fully subscribed: the program has reached its goal of 350 subscribers in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties. The subscriber success is due to community outreach and participation from the Newark Boys & Girls Club and Newark Science and Sustainability.
“We were thrilled to reach out to our community with the opportunity to offer affordable renewable energy,” said Ameer Washington, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Newark. “Promoting clean energy in and around Newark is a win for everyone: cleaner air, lower power bills and the opportunity to create workforce training for our future solar workforce.”
The project is part of Year One of the NJBPU’s Community Solar Energy 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 nonprofit organizations and community leaders to educate residents about the benefits of community solar.
