Prologis Inc. and Solar Landscape were among those on hand for a recent ceremony in Edison, where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $156 million in funding for solar projects for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. — Courtesy: Solar Landscape
By Joshua Burd
New Jersey’s solar industry is getting a $156 million infusion of federal funds, as state officials continue their focus on projects that will help low-income and disadvantaged communities.
The state’s Board of Public Utilities joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week in announcing the grant, which it said will build on New Jersey’s landmark community solar program that involves rooftop panel systems on large warehouses. One such property, a Prologis Inc. facility in Edison, was the backdrop for the announcement as company executives were on hand alongside Solar Landscape, the developer of a new solar array at the building.
“EPA’s Solar for All initiative will help ensure that clean energy solutions reach and benefit the communities most affected by climate change,” EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said. “This grant will enable New Jersey communities to adopt solar power, lower greenhouse gas emissions and create green jobs.”
Officials note that the award is part of EPA’s historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund created under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Funding under the Solar for All program will support the development of residential solar, multifamily housing solar and storage, residential-serving community solar and technical assistance and workforce development, while New Jersey expects it to accelerate the energy transition in underserved communities by serving tens of thousands of households.
Asbury Park-based Solar Landscape announced last year that it had become the nation’s leading provider of community solar to lower-income households. It’s done so with the help of New Jersey’s pioneering program, which allows solar firms to lease space on commercial rooftops to generate renewable energy, which is then sold to a pool of nearby residents, with at least 51 percent of the power going to low- and moderate- income customers.
“Community solar installations on commercial rooftops are America’s most shovel-ready clean energy option,” Solar Landscape President Mark Schottinger said. “Projects like this one are creating real world benefits today: creating jobs, reducing costs and advancing America’s clean energy economy. Thanks to the EPA, the Murphy administration and companies like Prologis, community solar is a proven model that can be replicated nationwide, delivering on the promise of an affordable, equitable energy future.”
The Prologis solar project, which received tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, will ultimately serve about 440 local households, at least half of which are low- to moderate income, according to a news release. The 2.82-megawatt capacity system will save each household over $250 per year, lowering energy bills by a total of more than $111,000 annually for subscribers.
“Rooftop solar projects like this one enable Prologis customers to reduce their emissions, benefit local communities by gaining access to renewable energy, and improve grid resilience,” Prologis Senior Vice President and Market Officer Mike Sacro said. “Approximately 89 megawatts of community solar will be built on Prologis rooftops in New Jersey between now and spring 2026, with the majority of the energy benefitting low-moderate income residents through community solar discounts.”
Those on hand for last week’s event also included U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone and NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy, along with local elected officials and leaders.
“Thanks to the Biden administration’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, New Jersey will further its nation-leading efforts to achieve bold climate action and clean energy equity,” Guhl-Sadovy said. “New Jersey’s $156 million Solar for All award will result in significant emissions reductions and millions of dollars in energy bill savings, including for thousands of low-income disadvantaged community households.”
