Two MW of Solar Destined for New Jersey Schools

Bayonne, New Jersey [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] New The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) joined the Bayonne Board of Education and the state Board of Education in dedicating the East Coast’s largest installation of electricity-saving photovoltaic (PV) roof panels.

The $13.2 million solar project to be installed at Bayonne High School and eight elementary schools is expected to produce about 2 MW of power and save the district more than $500,000 yearly on energy costs. The project was made possible due in part to $5.4 million worth of solar equipment and installation credits provided by the state’s Clean Energy Program to date. Almost 10,000 solar panels will be installed on the nine schools. Upon completion, the panels will generate enough energy to power 2,000 small homes for 30 years, decrease reliance on fossil fuels, cut pollution and reduce the area’s strain on the electric grid during peak summer months. “This project really blazed a trail for solar projects in New Jersey,” said NJBPU President Jeanne M. Fox. “Many communities have followed Bayonne’s fine example by exploring renewable energy projects that not only save the environment but also cut overall energy costs.” Through New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program — a statewide program designed to help customers save energy, cut costs and help protect the environment by installing clean, efficient energy resources — more than 1,000 homeowners, businesses, schools and municipalities have installed renewable energy technologies, including solar electricity systems. “The benefits of this project will be felt in Bayonne as well as the rest of New Jersey for years to come,” said Bayonne Mayor and NJ State Senator Joseph V. Doria, Jr. “Through the use of solar technologies, we’re helping to reduce pollution in the state while at the same time reducing our own energy costs and extending the longevity of these school buildings.” Program modifications and additional sources of revenue are being considered to ensure long-term sustainability and broad public participation in the program.