Birch Arms Hosts Celebration of 4000th Solar Installation in New Jersey

Many appointed and elected officials were on hand in Paterson yesterday to celebrate the 4000th solar installation in the state of New Jersey. Birch Arms, a supportive housing project run by New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) for the formerly homeless with a mental illness, was the host of the celebration, as it is also home to a eighteen kilowatt solar panel which produces electricity for the building’s common areas and reduces its reliance on carbon-based energy. This solar installation was made possible through a partnership between the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Program and the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.

The ground-breaking achievement of reaching 4000 installations is the latest example of New Jersey’s leadership as one of the largest and fastest growing solar energy markets in the United States. It now ranks as the second-biggest producer of solar energy behind California. In a press release recognizing the milestone, Governor Corzine highlighted this leadership. “Today New Jersey continues to be ahead of the curve on energy preservation, implementation of innovative approaches to energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. Our ‘world-class’ status is credited to our commitment to environmentally responsible action and competitive marketplace initiative.”

This success in such a short period of time is particularly remarkable, as seven years ago, the state had only 6 solar installations.

NJCDC President Bob Guarasci hosted the celebration and welcomed speakers from throughout the state. Speakers included Jeanne Fox, President of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities; Jose “joey” Torres, Mayor of Paterson; Marge DellaVecchia, Executive Director of New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Authority; Assemblywoman Nellie Pou; Assemblywoman Elease Evans; Dena Mottola, Executive Director of Environment NJ; and Dan Lichtman, President/CEO of Absolutely Energized Solar, the installar of the solar panels at Birch Arms.

Constructed in 2008, Birch Arms is built to ENERGY STAR standards. It represents a “whole building” approach to construction, combining energy efficiency with renewable energy. The whole building approach, a cornerstone of New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, is the most effective way to meet Governor Jon Corzine’s Energy Master Plan goals of reducing energy consumption by 20 percent and generating at least 30 percent of the state’s energy from renewable sources by the year 2020.

“We were thrilled to host this event,” noted NJCDC President Bob Guarasci. “We have found great partners in the Board of Public Utilities and the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. They help make solar installations possible in supportive and affordable housing projects like Birch Arms. We have cut our utility bills for Birch Arms’ common spaces in half since the solar panels have been up and running, and that allows us to save $3,000 a year. In addition, we have been able to collect about $1,200 a month in Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). That money can then go right back into the services we provide for our residents, all of whom are making new lives for themselves after being chronically homeless. Not only is renewable energy the right thing to do for the environment, is the right thing for our residents. We look forward to including more clean energy elements in all of our buildings moving forward.”

To view more pictures from the event, click here.

Click here to read recent press articles on the event that appeared in the Herald News and New Jersey Newsroom.