Princeton New Jersey Gets Solar Panels

PRINCETON — Starting next week, PSE&G will begin installing about 60 solar panels on utility poles throughout the township.

When done, the 2½-foot by 5-foot panels will be part of a project that includes 200,000 pole-mounted solar units generating 40 megawatts of solar energy.

The energy generated by the 200-watt structures flows into the power grid, which services all customers. Energy costs for the average residential consumer will increase by about $1.20 in the first year.

Part of PSE&G’s Solar 4 All program, the solar panels will be placed on poles that are open to the sun, are in good condition and don’t have excessive amounts of wire on them, said Township Engineer Bob Kiser.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the program in July 2009, citing the benefits of increasing renewable energy sources in the state. PSE&G expects to invest $515 million in the project before its completion in 2013.
That figure also includes the cost of constructing several large solar farms and rooftops in Trenton, Linden and other cities. The larger projects are expected to generate another 40 megawatts of new solar power.

PSE&G expects the assembly and installation of the panels and solar farms also will benefit consumers by creating jobs. NJBPU Director of the Office of Clean Energy Mike Winka estimated that 200 contractors had presided over thousands of installations.

The Princeton project is expected to take approximately two weeks.