Community Solar Is Now Available To Woodbridge Residents

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Community solar is now available in Woodbridge through Solar Landscape, a New Jersey based solar developer. What does this mean for the local community? The benefits of solar energy are now available to everyone without the cost and hassle of solar panels. Whether you rent or own your property, you can benefit from clean-energy solutions produced right in your own backyard.

Woodbridge residents who enroll in the Community Solar program receive a minimum of 10% off their electric cost every month. Residents that subscribe benefit from the cost-savings of solar energy without switching from PSE&G or signing a long-term contract. And everyone - from the project developer, the municipality, and the community - does their part in ensuring a clean, low-carbon future for New Jersey.

For Woodbridge, in particular, it means a more accessible solar market, a healthier community, and new job opportunities in the thriving green energy industry.

Understanding Community Solar and its Advantages

With a goal of environmental justice for all, community solar programs create an equitable way to deliver the benefits of clean energy to all New Jersey residents, including underserved communities and low-to-moderate income (LMI) households. People no longer have to be stifled by the high cost of panel installation or lack of homeownership to benefit from solar energy.

How Community Solar Works

Commercial real estate owners lease their industrial roof space to project developers like Solar Landscape. Solar Landscape installs solar systems on the properties and sends the electricity they generate into the local utility grid to be used each month by local residents. Utility bills show the dollar value of the solar energy allocated, and monthly electric bills are reduced by that amount.

Solar Landscape issues a bill for the value of the solar energy discounted by at least 10% to subscribers. LMI residents receive a 15% discount.

Benefits Beyond Environmental Impact

With community solar, New Jerseyans not only benefit from clean, low-cost power but renewed opportunities for economic growth.

This is exemplified by the rising demand for solar projects across the state and the need for qualified electricians and solar installers. And this demand is not going unnoticed by municipality leaders across the state. Many towns, including Woodbridge, have adopted resolutions in support of community solar, formally stating their commitment to pollution-free, affordable energy solutions and job creation in New Jersey’s clean energy economy.

This is why Solar Landscape is working with community partners and green energy advocates to provide education on clean energy and tuition-free job training programs. The company wants residents to benefit from access to clean energy while also providing the platform to pursue prosperous careers in the solar industry.

In recent months, Solar Landscape helped train students at Edison Job Corp who have a passion for construction trades. Students are trained in HVAC and carpentry and Solar Landscape has partnered with GAF roofing to provide commercial roof and solar installation training. Through COVID-1p Solar Landscape adapted their training to a remote platform and were able to train more than 80 students some of whom they hired and others they helped place with solar construction companies.

In January, Ricky Gass, one of the solar training graduates introduced Governor Phil Murphy at the ribbon cutting ceremony for two large community solar projects in Perth Amboy. Ricky completed the Solar Landscape training and is now a full-time employee of the company.

Community Solar in Woodbridge: Today and Tomorrow

Woodbridge residents are currently subscribing to first year projects. The township is one of several in New Jersey townships that recently passed Community Solar Project Resolutions. Working with Solar Landscape, Woodbridge committed to support four new commercial solar projects located at 725 NJ Route 1, Iselin, 1400 Randolph Ave., Avenel, 1500 Rahway Ave., Avenel, and 18 Engelhard Ave., Avenel. The program creates access to green energy for all Woodbridge residents, including apartments,. condos, and high rises, with no solar panels needed.

The Community Solar Pilot Program is administered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Woodbridge is one of the first townships where residents can actively subscribe. Additional community solar projects are being identified throughout New Jersey to help our state move towards its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.

Woodbridge residents interested in learning more or who would like to sign up for community solar for free can do so by visiting www.GoSolarLandscape.com.

For individuals interested in establishing a successful career in the solar industry, Woodbridge Township and Solar Landscape have agreed to sponsor local tuition free career training for residents. Once completed, participants have the opportunity to extend their trade expertise with additional skills training and industry connections to help grow beyond entry-level positions.

For more information on Solar Landscape and their commitment to delivering affordable and accessible clean energy solutions and workforce development to New Jersey residents, please visit www.SolarLandscape.com.

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