Solar power

Recently I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new solar array. A non-profit institution, concerned about its energy costs and interested in sustainability, is building a 12-acre, 1.6-megawatt ground-mounted facility. The panels are manufactured in Ohio, creating many local green tech jobs.

Once completed, the solar facility will supply half of their electrical needs. On the ground below the panels, slow-growing grass, which can grow in part shade and part sun, will be planted. Since the panels are tilted and have small gaps between them, rainwater will trickle through to water the grass and soak into the ground. Even on a cloudy day, the panels can generate electricity.

This project is being built and paid for by a company that invests in solar power, which then sells it back to the owner of the site at a small discount. The builder takes advantage of government rebates and tax breaks, and also invests their own capital. They do not focus on small projects, but you can take advantage of some of the same government incentives to install solar panels on your own property. Many homes have roofs that are suitable for solar panels, and others can install free-standing solar panels (though this may require municipal approval as a structure--check with your local government planning office). If you install solar panels, you will pay less for electricity, reduce pollution, reduce global climate change, and contribute to America's energy independence.

Several homeowners in Montgomery have solar panels on their roofs, and the Montgomery Board of Education has a solar array. In fact, New Jersey has more solar power than any other state except California, which is amazing when we consider how many states are farther south or have less rain than New Jersey. Our outstanding solar statistics may be partly due to environmentally aware residents, but they are also due to state policy, the decision to offer rebates and tax breaks for installing solar panels. For both reasons, I am proud of New Jersey!