PSE&G Explains Solar Panels on Poles

As reported in yesterday's , representatives of PSE&G appeared before the Committee on March 1 to answer questions about the solar panels that are being installed on utility poles throughout town.

PSE&G Director of Renewable Energy Projects Frank Czigler explained that the panels were part of $515 million investment by PSE&G in solar and renewable energy to meet a mandate to generate 30% of its energy from renewable resources by 2020. Czigler said that 200,000 poles statewide will be hosting the 2' x 5' panels. Ultimately, there should be between 330 to 400 panels on poles in Maplewood (that's 10-15% of the 3,276 PSE&G poles in town).

Czigler said the panels are noiseless, give off no heat, contain no hazardous chemicals, and are shatterproof. He said tax credits for the panels would lower rate payers' energy bills but would not show up as a line item reduction on statements. Czigler and his two cohorts from PSE&G were grilled by Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta who questioned the safety of the panels. Czigler explained that panels were as safe as any other fixture on the poles and that poles were selected based on the amount of southern exposure they received. He assured the town that no trees would be trimmed to accommodate more sun exposure for any panels. Czigler also added that no panels would be installed on poles in historic districts.

Czigler said that the panel installations began in Maplewood in mid-December. Patch noticed and in January.

Mayor Vic DeLuca asked, "What right do you have to put these up?" PSE&G Assistant General Regulatory Counsel David Richter assured the Committee that PSE&G "has every right" to use public rights of way and its poles to supply and distribute energy.

Profeta, who is deputy mayor for the environment and a founder of , noted that "There's nothing I'm more in favor of than solar power and renvewable energy." However, he was disturbed that "We had no conversations [between the town and PSE&G] beforehand."

Ultimately, DeLuca apologized for not passing along the notification of the program that he received via phone from PSE&G Public Affairs manager Everton Scott although he felt that PSE&G should have sent out a letter and visited the committee before installation.

"I think they're ugly but we are talking about generating renewable energy and getting off our dependence on fossil fuels. This is the 'new normal' — if I can steal a phrase from the governor," said Mayor DeLuca, who added that despite his concerns, "Overall, the program is a good one. We ought to move forward."