The leadership team at Solar Landscape, one of the largest solar companies in the state, believes that the benefits of the New Jersey Community solar program will transform the future of energy in New Jersey. The program, now in its second year, allows solar panels on industrial rooftops to be used to power local communities, rather than the facilities themselves.
The company, which was started by two Jersey natives in 2012, is working to provide pollution-free energy through Community Solar, a program enacted by the state legislature and administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the NJ Clean Energy Program.
Through Community Solar, the company builds, owns and operates solar projects throughout the state that feed power directly to the local power grid. Residents enroll on-line and receive guaranteed savings on monthly electricity usage, without the costs of installing panels on homes.
“The most important part of this project is being able to provide access to clean energy to those who cannot afford to install solar panels,” said Shaun Keegan, Chief Executive Officer of Solar Landscape. “It provides solar access to all – even folks who live in apartments and condos and makes it easy for residents to support local green energy initiatives within their own communities.”
The Community Solar program began its second year and Solar Landscape has already completed projects serving PSE&G customers in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and northern Middlesex counties. It also has projects in Pennsauken Township and hopes to expand to other areas of the state this year.
Helping communities is important to Keegan. So, along with providing access to clean energy, the company offers a tuition-free Solar Job Training Program and engages with young people through college and high school courses about clean energy.
Solar Landscape’s Job Training is an online, 40-hour statewide program that prepares people for careers as solar installers. More than 100 people received the training last year. To learn more, click here.
“Through Community Solar, we are bringing more than just clean energy; we are bringing education and opportunity to local communities,” Keegan said. “We are becoming a proud part of the communities that we serve.”
Solar Landscape’s work prevents nearly 100,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.
Keegan added that the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce has been an invaluable resource during the pandemic. With relevant information provided in the Daily Update, Solar Landscape is able to stay up-to-date with important county and state news.
MCRCC is also eager to connect the company with local businesses and nonprofits that can benefit from the savings and other benefits related to reliable clean energy.
