FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jewish Renaissance Foundation
www.JRFNJ.org

COMMUNITY SOLAR: ENERGY, “MADE IN PERTH AMBOY”
Perth Amboy Households to Receive Guaranteed Discount on Electric Bill through the Community Solar Program

PERTH AMBOY, NJ (3/25/2021) – The Jewish Renaissance Foundation (JRF) is excited to announce in collaboration with the City of Perth Amboy, the Perth Amboy Redevelopment Team for Neighborhood Enterprise and Revitalization (P.A.R.T.N.E.R.), and Solar Landscape, a citywide campaign
to get households subscribed to the two community solar projects in Perth Amboy. The projects were developed as part of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. Established in 2019, as directed by Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 28 (2018), the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program ensures underserved and overburdened communities can access the health and financial benefits of renewable energy. “Everybody should be able to take advantage of the opportunities that solar provides, regardless of where they live and regardless of their income,” stated Governor Phil Murphy in the January 28th press conference celebrating the completion of the first community solar project in New Jersey.

“The Community Solar Energy Pilot Program is a smart and sustainable component of our clean energy future that positions New Jersey as a world leader in the innovation economy, while investing in
communities and ensuring environmental justice for all.” Community solar allows both renters and homeowners to participate in this renewable energy program without purchasing or installing solar panels on their property. The subscriber does not have to build or install any equipment on their home. Instead, households sign up to claim a portion of the electricity produced by the 18,000 solar panels installed across on the rooftops of Duke Realty buildings located on High Street. The energy generated is sold to more than 1,200 homes — 50 percent of those homes are low to moderate income households. The change for the households is seamless as PSE&G will continue to deliver service to their home with Solar Landscape is their electric provider.

The mission of community solar is energy equity, cost savings and a healthier environment. “We want Perth Amboy residents to benefit from the costs savings realized through this program,” stated Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin Caba. “I am committed to helping our residents recover during a critical
time when they need us the most. Projects like community solar can play a catalytic role in our city; leveraging rapid technological, social, and economic changes that can keep Perth Amboy ahead.”

Subscribers to the community solar program are guaranteed 10% discount per
subscriber (15% for low and moderate-income households) that will reduce their electricity costs every year through the subscription. There are no fees to join or no penalties to leave the program. “As the Middlesex County’s East Community Action Agency, this project aligns with JRF goals,” stated Sherri Goldberg, Director of Community & Family services. “We applaud the Governor, the City of Perth Amboy, and the state legislature for their efforts to achieve environmental justice in marginalized communities.”

“We strive to make our community a better place by serving our residents in need of inaccessible services, stated Douglas G. Dzema, Executive Director of P.A.R.T.N.E.R. “Expanding access to renewable energy generated within our own community allows households to ‘go solar’ equitable for our low to moderate income families.”

The JRF, the City of Perth Amboy, P.A.R.T.N.E.R., and Solar Landscape will be hosting a bilingual ‘living room style’ conversation with a Q&A session via ZOOM for Perth Amboy residents to learn about community solar program, how it works, and how residents can sign up. The forum will be
streamed live on March 31, 2021 from 5:45 pm to 6:30 pm on the JRF Facebook page @onepploneheart. Perth Amboy residents that actively participate during the live forum may be eligible for a $150 giveaway.

To learn more of the Community Solar program with Solar Landscape, go to https://www.solarlandscape.com/subscriber

To learn more of the JRF, go to https://www.jrfnj.org/

To learn more of P.A.R.T.N.E.R, go to https://www.partnernj.org/ To learn more of the 2019 New
Jersey Energy Master Plan, go to https://www.nj.gov/bpu/pdf/publicnotice/NJBPU_EMP.pdf