groSolar Video
| Solar in Trenton, NJ: Incentives, Environment NJ |
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It often catches people by surprise to hear how solar friendly New Jersey is. But in fact, New Jersey is a leader in the solar industry, and is one of the top ten most solar friendly states in America, with the largest installed solar capacity, second to California. This is because New Jersey can provide up to 55% savings on a solar system from state and federal programs (more even than California, which can provide up to 50% savings). New Jersey’s capital, Trenton, has been home to the politicians who have made it even easier for New Jersey residents to go solar. One such Trenton politician is Upendra Chivukula, a Democrat in the New Jersey Assembly from Somerset/Middlesex. Chivukula has been a leader in the Assembly, working for solar and other New Jersey energy issues. He was one of the authors of New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan, which outlines a decrease in energy consumption by 20% by 2020 and increase renewable energy production by 30%, including 3% of that in solar electricity. This kind of two pronged approach – promoting solar and other renewable energy sources as well as conservation and energy efficiency - ensures that the solar that is installed is the most effective that it can be, and makes the biggest difference possible.
Trenton is home to Environment New Jersey, a state wide environmental advocacy organization that is helping to promote solar on New Jersey homes and businesses and conserve the environment and waterways of New Jersey. Environment New Jersey is only one of four state environmental agencies, two regional agencies and a number of federal agencies and statutes protecting the habitat and wildlife in New Jersey. This is a clear sign of how much the citizens of New Jersey care about protecting the resources and bounty that they have, and they want to do this with help from solar.
Trenton especially is seeing the benefits of going green for small businesses and employment rates. States that have environmental legislation also help their small businesses stay strong and continue to grow to help the state with its environmental needs. So this spring when the BPU had a public hearing on the reductions to the Clean Energy Fund, many citizens gathered to vehemently oppose the cuts. Local green business owners spoke strongly about how their businesses, with the help of the Clean Energy Fund, have provided numerous jobs to local citizens.
New Jersey cannot let its dedication and energy to solar diminish. It must remain at the forefront of the solar industry and continue to work with the same tireless perseverance, so that it can ensure a bright future for itself and encourage other states to follow the wonderful example.
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