Solar Landscape’s new 1.7-megawatt rooftop solar array at 777 Lehigh Ave. in Union Township is the 22nd community solar project that it has activated this year. — Courtesy: Solar Landscape
By Joshua Burd
Rooftop solar developer Solar Landscape has activated another project in New Jersey, in Union Township, where it will generate clean energy at a discount to more than 260 nearby homes.
The firm joined Mayor Manuel Figueiredo and other well-wishers last week to celebrate the milestone at 777 Lehigh Ave., the site of a building owned by H. Schultz and Sons. Now energized, the 1.7-megawatt installation is operating under the state’s Community Solar program, which allows solar firms to lease rooftop space at commercial buildings to generate and sell power to residential users, including low- to moderate-income customers.
Solar Landscape, which is based in Asbury Park, said the Union project will save the households it serves more than $60,000 collectively per year on home energy bills.
“We are excited to bring the benefits of community solar to the residents of the Township of Union,” Figueiredo said. “Whether you own a home or rent an apartment, this project will help our residents save on their monthly electric bills, and it will also help us fight climate change together as a community. This is one of the many improvements taking shape in the Township of Union, and we are grateful for this collaboration with H. Schultz and Sons and Solar Landscape.”
The new Solar Landscape project includes nearly 3,600 panels.
“Local leaders like Mayor Figueiredo are instrumental to reducing energy costs for their residents and bringing clean energy to their communities,” said Shaun Keegan, Solar Landscape CEO and co-founder. “Together with Mayor Figueiredo, H. Schultz and Sons and Edison Job Corps, we’re demonstrating that rooftop community solar projects create real-world benefits for residents — all without putting panels on their homes — and preserve precious open space.”
The firm added that it has energized 22 community solar projects in 2023 to date, serving more than 2,700 households, more than half of which are low- or moderate-income families. Its latest activation came during National Clean Energy Week and on World Environmental Health Day.
“Our building has been a fixture in Union for decades and we’re excited that it can now be a new resource to the community,” H. Schultz and Sons Vice President Ran Lazarovitch said. “Energy generated by the community solar installation on our rooftop will reduce our area’s greenhouse gas emissions and bring clean energy at a discount to nearly 300 homes in and around Union.”
Tony Staynings, business community liaison for Edison Job Corps, added: “As community solar continues to grow across New Jersey, so will the need for people who can install the panels and drive our clean energy economy forward. We’re proud to partner with Solar Landscape to bring solar installation classes to New Jersey communities, creating new job opportunities and brighter futures for our residents. Activating this installation in Union is a great example of how community solar drives clean energy, workforce development and lower costs for subscribers.”
