Cherry Hill Considers Solar Panel Project Under NJ Pilot Program

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill is exploring the possibility of bringing a community solar project to the township under a state pilot program.

The small solar garden would be located on the roof of CubeSmart Self Storage, 1820 Frontage Road, according to Cherry Hill Township Chief of Staff Erin Patterson Gill.

Cherry Hill Council approved a resolution in support of a company applying to bring the program to the township during its meeting Monday night.

"It's important we act as good stewards for our environment for future generations, and I'm excited to see the potential of this pilot program," Cherry Hill Mayor Susan Shin Angulo said.

The program allows residents to opt-in to the solar garden and get credits on their energy bills, according to Gill.

Normally, residents would have solar panels on their home that are connected directly to their own panel. Under this program, energy would be generated in the garden and put back into the grid. Residents who opt-in to the program receive credits toward their energy bills.

Sixty homes would be eligible for the program, and 51 percent of those homes would have to meet requirements to be qualified as low- and moderate-income housing.

“It could bring savings to residents on their energy bills,” Gill said. “It’s a clean form of energy. We’re interested to see how it works out.”

In May 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation mandating the creation of the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities then adopted rules establishing the Community Solar Energy Pilot Program on Jan. 17, 2019, according to njcleanenergy.com.

Entities have until Feb. 5 to apply to participate in the second year of the program. If approved, the plan would go before the township’s planning board before coming back to Cherry Hill Council for final approval.