BPU Chief of Staff Taryn Boland, Solar Landscape CEO and Co-Founder Shaun Keegan, U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac, Woodbridge Redevelopment Agency Chief-of-Staff and Director Caroline Ehrlich, Edison Job Corps Business Community Liaison Tony Staynings.
On November 2, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac and Solar Landscape energized New Jersey’s latest community solar project on a warehouse rooftop in Avenel, New Jersey.
The 1.1-MWDC rooftop community solar project energized in Avenel will generate solar energy at a discount for local residents. It is the second community solar project hosted by RPM Warehousing & Transportation. The combined 4.3-MW capacity renewable energy projects hosted by RPM will serve 700 nearby households and save residents over $150,000 per year on their home energy bills. The Avenel installation, consisting of more than 2,300 panels, creates equitable access to clean energy for low- and moderate-income households.
“I’m proud to join Solar Landscape and Edison Job Corps today to announce the launch of a new community solar project that will lower costs for families in New Jersey, continue our transition to a clean energy economy, and create new jobs right here at home. These investments help ensure our state is ready to tackle the challenges of the climate crisis head on,” said Congressman Pallone. “This project is just more proof that we can empower our workers with new, good paying jobs as we work to lower costs for hardworking Americans. I’m proud that our state is leading the way on our path toward a clean, low-carbon future and showing that we don’t have to choose between fighting climate change and economic growth. As the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I’ll continue to advocate for investments in our transition to a clean economy.”
The RPM community solar projects will serve 700 nearby households with lower-cost energy.
The renewable energy milestone is being celebrated during the U.S. Department of Energy’s Justice Week 2023, which focuses on creating a more equitable, clean, and just energy future, key principles behind New Jersey’s community solar program.
The project was approved as part of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. Rapidly gaining support throughout the state, the program is paving the way for a clean energy transition that is accessible to all residents regardless of income.
In addition to celebrating the activation of new projects, the group also recognized the achievements of STEP-UP (Solar Training and Education Program for Underserved Populations), Solar Landscape’s nationally recognized workforce development program. It has trained nearly 300 adults in hands-on, multi-day sessions in Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico and New Jersey. Through adult trainings, train-the-trainer sessions for educators, and the program’s curriculum for students, the program has reached more than 2,400 individuals.
STEP-UP has entered into a collaborative working agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technology Office, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to increase the scope of the program, including additional trainings primarily for residents of disadvantaged communities.
“STEP-UP is a great example of how we can grow our clean energy economy and include community members at the same time,” said Tony Staynings, Business Community Liaison for Edison Job Corps. “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 Woodbridge is a great example of how community solar drives clean energy, workforce development and lower costs for subscribers.”
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