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After boasting the largest floating solar array in North America, New Jersey is now home to the largest number of community solar projects for low- and moderate-income families in the U.S. 

That’s according to U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th District, who was on hand Nov. 1 to connect the ceremonial cord on a new rooftop community solar project in Avenel. 

Owned and operated by Asbury Park-based Solar Landscape, the 1.1-megawatt project at 18 Engelhard Ave. is the second community solar project hosted by RPM Warehousing & Transportation. Combined with the array atop 2900 Woodbridge Ave. in Edison, the 4.3-megawatt capacity projects will serve 700 nearby households and save residents more than $150,000 per year on their energy bills, according to Solar Landscape.

“I’m proud to join Solar Landscape and Edison Job Corps today to announce the launch of a new community solar project that will lower costs for families in New Jersey, continue our transition to a clean energy economy, and create new jobs right here at home,” Pallone said in a statement. “These investments help ensure our state is ready to tackle the challenges of the climate crisis head on.” 

Other distinguished guests at the ceremony included Woodbridge Township Mayor John McCormac; Shaun Keegan, Solar Landscape co-founder and CEO; Tony Staynings, business community liaison, Edison Job Corps; and Lucious Gass, solar installer, Solar Landscape. 

Solar Landscape works with Edison Job Corps as part of the company’s Solar Training and Education Partnership for Underserved Populations (STEP-UP) program, which trains workers to install community solar projects. 

“Community solar projects allow access to solar energy without installing panels or owning your own home,” McCormac added. “As a result, the program helps to widen the range of residents who can participate in the clean energy transition.”

Launched two years ago as a pilot project, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities voted Aug. 16 to permanently offer the Community Solar Energy Program, which allows residents access to solar energy, regardless of their living situation.

According to Pallone, the recent solar energy project was made possible by a solar investment tax credit from the Inflation Reduction Act.

In September, Solar Landscape and Union Township officials activated a rooftop community solar project at a building owned by H. Schultz and Sons.