11 Engelhard Drive in Monroe — Courtesy: J.G. Petrucci Co. Inc.
By Joshua Burd
A new rooftop solar panel system at a Monroe industrial building is up and running, under a project by landlord J.G. Petrucci Co. Inc. and installer Solar Landscape.
The firms on Thursday announced that they have energized the project at 11 Engelhard Drive, a 132,000-square-foot property about from the New Jersey Turnpike. Built by Solar Landscape, an Asbury Park-based owner and operator of commercial and community solar installations, the system will generate 706,630 kilowatt hours to offset the electric consumption of the building’s tenant, L&R Distributors.
“Through a competitive bidding process, we chose to work with Solar Landscape because of their trusted professionalism and impeccable track record,” said Dominick Baker, a project executive with J.G. Petrucci Co. “We’re thrilled to add this renewable energy project to our roster of sustainability initiatives.”
All told, the new rooftop installation is a 562-kilowatt project.
“After conveying our interest in completing this project with J.G. Petrucci, it became clear that the partnership between our three companies would become integral to its success,” said David Faust, vice president of operations of L&R Distributors Inc. “We knew that we were eager to support this project to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations, but we got an unexpected benefit out of the process in a solid partner that we hope will guide future solar projects, as well.”
For Solar Landscape, which was founded in 2012, the project is part of a fast-growing pipeline involving industrial buildings throughout the state. The company employs more than 120 people and has more than 200 megawatts of solar energy systems completed or under construction, with a portfolio that also includes the commercial, municipal, public school and nonprofit sectors.
“Environmental leaders like J.G. Petrucci understand that business-as-usual energy models are not sustainable and have embraced smart practices like solar to improve their facilities and fortify their operations,” said Shaun Keegan, Solar Landscape’s CEO and co-founder. “From its many philanthropic initiatives, J. G. Petrucci has been a longtime role model in the industry for giving back to the community. This successful solar project is a continuation of the ways our companies are aligned.”
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