You Won’t Believe What Happens When NJBIA Joins Governor for a Groundbreaking Solar Project!

On Friday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, alongside NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka, along with labor, business, and environmental leaders, celebrated the official ribbon-cutting of a state-run community solar project in Phillipsburg. This initiative allows residential customers who subscribe to save up to 25% on their electric bills, addressing the increasing concern over rising utility rates in the state.

“Utility rates are too high, and they're going up, and we don't have enough power generation capacity, which is why we're trying to build that out as quickly as possible,” Sherrill stated while standing before an array of 8,000 solar panels at Active Solar Development LLC, located on a former landfill site in Warren County.

The governor highlighted the urgency of expanding energy capacity, noting, “I declared a state of emergency to freeze utility costs and utility rate hikes, but we also need more capacity so we can drive down costs over time, and this solar project is a great way to do that.” She emphasized that New Jersey will continue to modernize natural gas infrastructure and explore new nuclear energy opportunities, but pointed out that “the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to get more capacity right away is solar and battery storage.”

Cutting through bureaucratic red tape has become integral to the success of these clean energy projects, as Sherrill noted that some solar projects in New Jersey have been stalled for over eight months awaiting necessary permits. “That's why I made an executive order declaring that we are going to take major steps to expand energy production and to drive down permitting and bureaucracy,” she explained.

In a significant development, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) recently opened applications for 3,000 megawatts of new community solar projects. These initiatives will enable homeowners who cannot install solar panels on their roofs, renters, and residents of multi-family housing to subscribe and potentially save between 15% to 25% on their electric bills.

Siekerka commended the announcement, stating NJBIA’s support for a comprehensive energy policy that includes clean energy projects such as community solar and battery storage, in addition to natural gas and nuclear power. She remarked, “Today's announcement shows that clean energy and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, but rather working complements, strengthening our economy, driving business growth, creating good jobs, empowering communities and showcasing the power of strong public-private partnerships.”

Active Solar’s founder, Frank McCleneghen, confirmed that 100% of the subscribers at the Phillipsburg site are residential customers, all receiving a 25% discount on their electric bills. He added that the project employed 80 union workers and 11 apprentices from various labor unions, amounting to $1.88 million in wages and benefits for the workforce. “This is a great testimony to what we can do with these projects,” said McCleneghen.

BPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy indicated that New Jersey residents interested in lowering their electric bills via these community solar projects can access more information on the BPU's Community Solar webpage. As the state actively pursues renewable energy solutions, this community solar initiative not only offers financial relief for residents but also aims to bolster the local economy by creating jobs and enhancing energy independence.