Solar Farms in NJ

Solar Farms in NJ provide lower costs and clean energy independence

Just like the sandy beaches and high-volume arguments, the people of New Jersey love solar power. Despite the state’s small size, the Garden State has enough solar farms and panels to generate 3,992 megawatts of solar power — making it the 8^th largest producer of solar power in the U.S.!

But as all New Jersians know, 8^th isn’t good enough. There are many regulations and plans in place to build more solar farms and make solar power more accessible than ever before. Here’s a quick update on the state of solar farms in NJ.

New Jersey solar trends

Over the next five years, New Jersey is projected to increase solar production state-wide by 1,963 megawatts — which is enough to power more than 300,000 homes! To say that solar power is gaining traction in NJ is an understatement. 

Much of the solar capacity increase in recent years is due to the increase in residential solar panels and community solar installations. In short, solar power is more accessible and affordable than ever, and New Jersey is quickly taking advantage of that to run on more clean, renewable power than almost every other state in the country. 

Notable solar farms in New Jersey

Most of the solar installations in New Jersey are either residential or privately owned. Thanks to the investment from local property owners, solar power is more accessible than ever. In fact, there are almost 151,000 solar installations in the state! These are just some of the largest and most notable solar farms in NJ.

Pilesgrove Solar Farm Project

In 2011, a massive solar farm was completed in Pilesgrove Township, NJ. The project included installation of more than 77,000 solar panels covering 134 acres of land — making it one of the largest solar farms in the U.S.

This incredible NJ solar farm generates a whopping 20 megawatts of energy, which is enough to power more than 3,000 New Jersey homes!

L&D Landfill Solar

Just a few years after the Pilesgrove Solar Farm Project was completed, another massive solar array was built in Mt. Holly, NJ. This solar farm was built on a decommissioned landfill. Renewable energy generated on a site that held trash? Talk about irony!

The L&D Landfill Solar farm was completed in 2015 and includes more than 42,000 solar panels generating almost 17 MWh of power. It might not be quite as large as the Pilesgrove project, but it can still provide electricity for around 2,000 local homes.

Commercial solar installations

In addition to the incredible solar farms that cover New Jersey, many corporations have also installed their own massive solar farms to generate energy not only for the business, but also area homes.

The Berry Plastics Corporation in Phillipsburg, NJ installed an incredible 14 MW solar installation on their campus, making it one of the largest business-owned solar farms in the country. Other companies such as AT&T, Ashley Plaza, and Anheuser-Busch have also built solar farms to power their New Jersey operations.

Solar Farms in NJ provide access to clean energy at a discount!

Want to be a part of the changing energy landscape in New Jersey? You don’t have to be a millionaire to support a solar farm. Community solar is a great opportunity to help save the environment by supporting local energy production and save money on your utility bills every month.

With community solar in NJ, you can subscribe to a solar farm to help with the maintenance and installation costs. In return, you’ll get a credit on your utility bill when the solar farm generates power. It’s a win, win! 

If you want to join a community solar project in New Jersey, check out some of the resources on CommunitySolarFarm.org. Learn more about New Jersey solar and, when you’re ready, find a community solar project near you to help reduce your energy bills and save the planet. New Jersey is powered by solar, and so can your home!

HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE?

Match to a Solar Farm

Without needing panels on your roof, community solar is an affordable solar option for nearly everyone — renters and homeowners, houses and apartments!

How much can you save on your energy by joining a solar farm in NJ near where you live? 

Match to Solar Farms

How Does Community Solar Work?

Pay nothing, save money, help the environment AND a local business? Really?

Instead of purchasing expensive solar panels and installing them on the roof of your house, community solar is more of a team-effort when it comes to producing solar power. 

Here’s the anatomy of a community solar project:

1. A solar farm site is built in a suitable location, with ready connection to the electricity grid

2. People from around the state contribute money for management and maintenance of the farm, typically via monthly subscription.

3. Large credits from power generated by the community solar project are sent back to the participants, ultimately reducing their electricity bills. 

Because community solar doesn’t require participants to have a “solar-ready” property (with plenty of roof space, facing the right direction, and in enough direct sunlight), it’s accessible to more people. 

Even NJ residents who rent or live in apartments can enjoy clean, renewable solar energy. 

Also, since the cost of installation and maintenance is split between the collective, nobody has to pay thousands of dollars up front to install solar panels. It’s a much more affordable option to traditional solar panel installation.