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New Jersey is now home to yet another large-scale solar project that brings the state one step closer to meeting Gov. Phil Murphy’s clean energy goals. 

On July 13, elected officials and business leaders gathered in Piscataway to connect the cord completing construction of Solar Landscape‘s 1.75-megawatt renewable energy project atop 2 Corporate Place S., which will help power nearly 300 homes. 

Installed, owned and operated by the Asbury Park-headquartered solar company, the Middlesex County project is part of a 9.7-megawatt portfolio of 11 Community Solar projects hosted by real estate firms Sudler Cos., based in Chatham, and GTJ REIT Inc., based in Garden City, N.Y. According to Solar Landscape, these projects will soon power more than 1,500 homes in the state, the majority of which will be low- to moderate-income households.  

Launched in 2019, the state’s Community Solar pilot program allows qualified residents to subscribe to a project serving their area. The program is open to residents who rent, lack control of their roof, live in an apartment or multi-family building, or cannot afford the cost of a solar installation. 

Nearby residents can now enroll to receive discounted energy from the project, which was approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in October 2021.  

“Community solar brings the promise of solar energy to low- and moderate-income New Jerseyans and makes them part of the fight to resist global climate change,” state Sen. Bob Smith, D-17th District – who sponsored the legislation to establish the Community Solar program – said in a statement. He also was on hand to celebrate the Piscataway project completion. 

“Great jobs and green energy are fantastic benefits that these logistics centers bring to Piscataway,” said Mayor Brian Wahler. “I am also grateful that low- and moderate-income families can get a break on their PSE&G bill because of these building upgrades of solar panels.” 

Wahler also thanked Solar Landscape and the real estate firms for “making a wise investment in Piscataway,” as well as art supplier Colart, which has its North American headquarters at the 150,000-square-foot facility, for “being an incredible corporate partner.” 

NJBPU Commissioner Christine Guhl-Sadovy, who also was at the ceremony, added, “This project is yet another exciting milestone in achieving Gov. Murphy’s clean energy goals and putting New Jersey at the forefront of solar development. We look forward to continuing our progress through the community solar program toward making clean energy accessible to all New Jerseyans.” 

The Piscataway installation is one of Solar Landscape’s 54 community solar projects in New Jersey that will soon provide solar energy to more than 11,000 homes, according to the company. 

“Community solar is a proven and efficient way to advance the clean energy transition,” said Solar Landscape CEO and co-founder Shaun Keegan said. “New Jersey has created a model for community solar that demonstrates how valuable commercial rooftops can be as we transition away from fossil fuels and toward a more sustainable future that doesn’t use precious open space. By installing community solar projects on warehouses and large commercial buildings, we generate the power closer to where it will be used, reducing burden on the local grid and the need for additional transmission lines.” 

Did you know?

New Jersey is home to the largest floating solar array in North America? Click here to read about the undertaking.