Thomas Connery, CEO of RPM Group, speaks during a recent event celebrating Earth Day and showcasing a rooftop solar installation at one of the firm’s warehouses in Avenel. — Photo by Christian Fiore
By Joshua Burd
Support for one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing clean energy programs was on display this week, as advocates toured a so-called community solar project at a warehouse in Woodbridge.
RPM Group, the property owner, joined developer Solar Landscape to celebrate Earth Week and showcase the rooftop solar array in the township’s Avenel section. They welcomed groups such as Southward Environmental Alliance, Vote Solar and Environment NJ, touting support for a program that allows landlords to lease their rooftops to solar operators who then sell energy directly to consumers, more than half of which must be lower-income households.
According to Solar Landscape, the Woodbridge building is one of two community solar projects hosted by RPM. Approved by the state Board of Public Utilities, the two installations generate 4.3 megawatts of affordable renewable energy for the grid, or enough to power 700 nearby households, most of which are low- to moderate-income families.
The projects, which include the most recent 1.1-megawatt project, will also provide subscribers with more than $150,000 in annual energy savings.
“RPM Group prides itself on our longstanding commitment to sustainability and ESG goals, particularly solar,” said Thomas Connery, CEO of RPM Group, referring to environmental, social and governance initiatives. “Community solar allowed us to go from using solar — powering our headquarters with renewable energy since 2017 — to sharing it with nearby residents. The community solar program empowers RPM to be a good corporate citizen, by lowering energy costs and creating new jobs, and also gives everyone a way to participate in the fight against climate change.”
The tour, which was streamed live on Facebook, came as New Jersey’s community solar program is set to become permanent this year after a multiyear, multiphase pilot program. Advocates used the opportunity to tout not only the cost savings, but the initiative’s role in fighting climate change and creating new jobs in the solar sector.
“The view of our clean energy future is clear from the rooftops of commercial real estate leaders like RPM Group,” said Shaun Keegan, CEO and co-founder of Asbury Park-based Solar Landscape. “It’s easy to see how community solar can be the solution to eliminating pollution that causes climate change, equitably lowering our energy costs and creating family-sustaining jobs in the green energy economy.”
Supporting organizations, individuals and elected officials provided comments including:
Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez:
“Rooftop community solar projects, like the one that I had the pleasure of touring today in Avenel, demonstrate New Jersey’s commitment to energy equity and the green economy. I am glad that Solar Landscape has taken the lead in supporting the community solar program which yields savings for residents and has the potential to create hundreds of good paying jobs. Energy partnerships like these ensure that to the greatest extent possible all residents can benefit from solar, and I am proud to support this program and a greener, cleaner and healthier New Jersey.”
Kim Gaddy, founder of South Ward Environmental Alliance and environmental justice director for Clean Water Action:
“Community solar is able to provide low-income families and renters a way to save money on their electric bills. Not only does community solar help New Jersey meet its clean energy goals, but it puts people to work and helps improve the air we breathe. However, we must do more to ensure community participation and engagement in all aspects of the clean energy transition, and BPU’s community solar straw proposal is a good step to expanding access to the benefits of community solar to those that are historically underserved and marginalized.”
Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey:
“The potential of solar power to power our homes and businesses has been historically constrained by the angle of your roof — or whether you even had ownership of your roof. The promise of community solar is to democratize solar and to be able to expand clean, renewable energy to every community across New Jersey. NJBPU’s community solar straw proposal will expand access to solar to more people and more communities that thought solar was out of reach — and that’s a win for our lungs, our air and our climate.”
Matilde Montalvo, a community solar subscriber who lives in Hoboken:
“Community solar gives me the power to protect the Earth and reduce my family’s carbon footprint. By powering our home with renewable energy generated right in our community, I know we’re helping fight climate change in a real way. As a community solar subscriber, every day feels like Earth Day.”
Tony Staynings, business community liaison, Edison Job Corps:
“Solar jobs are booming in New Jersey thanks to community solar. We are training our students to become part of the green energy workforce of the future and build projects like the one we are touring today.”
