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a Greek-owned industrial building at 8
Elkins Road, where multiple speakers
praised a policy that checks boxes for
both businesses and environmental
advocates. Among them were
executives with Solar Landscape, the
Asbury Park-based solar developer
that has been a central player in both
the BPU program and the state’s
commercial real estate sector.
The fi rm is currently constructing
the new panel system atop the East
Brunswick building, noting it will
serve nearly 150 homes and, on
average, provide more than $400
in annual energy savings to each
participating household.
“New Jersey is leading the nation
in delivering
the benefi ts of
community solar
to its residents
and we’re proud
to work with
Greek Real
Estate Partners
on commercial
Grace Power
rooftop solar
projects like this one, “ said Grace
Power, Solar Landscape’s general
counsel and executive vice president
of government affairs. “Generating
energy on commercial rooftops and
distributing it to the grid is America’s
most shovel-ready way to address the
country’s energy crisis: it mitigates
rising energy costs, creates jobs
and reduces the burden on grid
infrastructure.”
BPU offi cials have touted community
solar as one of the most effective and
quickest ways to reduce energy bills,
citing its impact on low- and moderate-
income subscribers. Benefi ts of
participating include guaranteed
discounts of at least 15 percent via
community solar credits that are
applied to customers’ bills, supporting
those who may not own their roof
or home, rent or cannot afford the
upfront cost of solar.
On top of opening another capacity
block for new projects, recent
program updates will streamline
participation and reduce barriers to
cost savings, the agency said in late
April. Local governments may now
submit registrations for automatic
enrollment projects, whereby
municipalities may select hard-to-
reach households to be directly
subscribed to community solar
projects and receive savings without
residents needing to take action.
“New Jersey’s nation-leading
Community Solar Energy Program
continues to deliver millions in cost
savings for those who participate,”
said Christine Guhl-Sadovy, the BPU’s
president. “By opening another round
of projects, we are advancing smart
policies that secure electricity bill
savings for anyone who subscribes
regardless of income, whether your
roof is suitable for solar or not, or
if you rent, ultimately helping put
affordability in reach for more New
Jersey households. The NJBPU’s
Community Solar Project Finder can
help households fi nd projects near
them and start saving money.” RE
Courtesy: Solar Landscape
A coalition of elected offi cials and business, political and environmental leaders
gathered in East Brunswick on April 28 to hail the expansion of the state’s pioneering
community solar program. The event took place at a building owned by Greek Real
Estate Partners, a longtime participant in the program that leases its rooftop space to
fi rms that build solar panels and sell energy directly to the grid.
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