Solar Landscape’s Secaucus project comes with community training

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Solar Landscape announced May 3 it completed construction of a 556-kilowatt rooftop community solar installation in Secaucus that the company says will generate clean renewable energy, while also help workforce development efforts.

The Asbury Park-based company says the Secaucus rooftop project will provide several benefits for the community including:

• Providing solar energy at a discount to more than 90 nearby homes without requiring them to install panels;
• Saving residents more than $20,000 in annual energy costs; and
• Avoiding the creation of 478 tons of carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

The project, which put solar panels on the rooftop of Principal Asset Management’s commercial warehouse, offered the opportunity for Solar Landscape to train nearby community members on the installation process as part of its STEP-UP (Solar Training and Education Partnership for Underserved Populations) program. Since November, the company has partnered with Edison Job Corps and national solar leaders – and N.J.-based companies – GAF and Trinity Solar, to train nearly 30 New Jerseyans from low-to-moderate income communities to become solar installers.

“Financial inclusion and environmental impact are fundamental aspects of our commitment to sustainability,” said Jennifer McConkey, Principal Asset Management managing director of ESG & operations. “Together with Solar Landscape and its training partners, the program is introducing community members to entirely new careers in clean energy. In addition, this program addresses critical sustainability and social goals to be a good neighbor to our communities and a clean energy model for the rest of the country.”

“By hosting community solar installations, Principal is energizing communities in more ways than one,” said Shaun Keegan, Solar Landscape CEO. “Thanks to Principal’s participation in community solar, trainees at Edison Job Corps and across New Jersey have new opportunities to find rewarding, well-paying, family-sustaining jobs.”

Edison Job Corps recently created a separate workspace at its Edison facilities specifically for solar installation training.

“For nearly 60 years, Job Corps has assisted underserved populations with career preparation, career development and career transition,” said Tony Staynings, business community liaison, Edison Job Corps. “Thanks to Principal, Solar Landscape, GAF and their partners, we are introducing our students to solar energy and providing them pathways to careers in renewable energy.”