By Joshua Burd
Solar Landscape, the Asbury Park-based solar developer, has inked a new partnership that could lead to projects on at least 8.5 million square feet of rooftop space nationally.
The firm on Monday joined National Storage Affiliates Trust, a real estate investment trust focused on self-storage, to detail the agreement. According to the announcement, the companies plan to develop at least 100 megawatts of solar capacity, with NSA having granted Solar Landscape exclusive rights to evaluate roughly 1,000 of its properties in 42 states and Puerto Rico for the potential to house new rooftop panel systems.
Under the partnership, solar installations on NSA properties will power nearby homes and businesses at a discount through the model known as community solar, according to a news release. In addition to delivering environmental benefits and lowering energy costs, the projects will create a more efficient electric grid by generating clean energy close to where it is used.
“This is an exciting step toward our corporate responsibility goals and demonstrates our commitment to building a more sustainable future,” said David Cramer, NSA’s CEO and president. “NSA has long been customer- and community-focused. This partnership will enable us to increase that value by generating clean energy at a discount for the households surrounding our facilities, while also generating value for NSA shareholders.”
The companies, which have worked together since 2022, say development on the first sites in the new partnership has already begun. The projects require no capital expenditure by NSA, the news release said, noting that Solar Landscape will develop, own and operate the projects and make a monthly lease payment to the REIT.
“We look forward to working with NSA to install community solar projects on their self-storage facilities,” Solar Landscape CEO and Co-Founder Shaun Keegan said. “Community solar is a win-win-win: It reduces the carbon footprint for communities, offers clean energy at a discount for residents and creates revenue for property owners.”
Solar Landscape noted that it also introduces people in historically disadvantaged communities to careers in solar, creating the clean energy workforce of the future. Through a nationally recognized Solar Training and Education Partnerships for Underserved Populations program, or STEP-UP, the firm partners with dozens of organizations across the country and has trained more than 2,500 individuals.
Last month in Chicago, Solar Landscape and the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association provided hands-on training to community members, building on a program that launched in 2023. NSA’s community solar projects will make the STEP-UP program’s continued success possible.
Solar Landscape plans more than 100 new hires in 2024 to support its rapid growth
