Verizon To Build Solar Panel Canopy In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township Planning Board gave Verizon the green light to build its 1.8-megawatt garage-top solar canopy project at its facility off North Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge.

Verizon's goal as a company is to install 24 megawatts of onsite solar at 15 different projects across the country, including in Basking Ridge, by 2025, said Michael Sandford of Verizon during the May 4 meeting.

The energy produced from these projects would be enough to power more than 10,000 American homes, said Sandford.

As part of this goal, the company asked Bernards Township for approval on a 2.3-acre solar canopy that would have 4,324 solar panels. The canopy would sit on top of the existing parking garage that is 1.97 acres.

Over the 25-year life expectancy of the canopy, Sandford said it would remove enough greenhouse gas as 4.4 million gallons of gasoline, 339 passenger vehicles, and 515 tanker trucks of gasoline.

Verizon required the planning board's approval for a variance as the canopy was slightly closer to a residential home.

The board approved the variance and Verizon plans to begin construction immediately.

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