South Brunswick Looking to Enter into Solar Energy Program

South Brunswick Township is beginning talks with PSE&G to enter into the company's Solar 4 All program, with hopes of someday making township buildings self-sufficient.  The township currently spends $250,000 per year on energy costs.

South Brunswick is hoping to enter into an agreement with PSE&G to install rooftop solar panels on township buildings or for carport solar panels to be constructed at the South Brunswick Senior Center.  Township officials will be meeting with PSE&G to discuss ideal locations and which types of solar installations would provide the optimal amount of energy for the various locales.

"Right now we're looking at a few municipal buildings and the old landfill as possible locations," said Public Affairs Coordinator Ron Schmalz.  "We're also looking at putting them on carports over the parking lot at the Senior Center. That would also serve to protect the seniors from the weather."

The township is also considering the South Brunswick Public Library and the Community Center at Woodlot Park as possible locations for the solar panel installations. 

Through the program, South Brunswick would enter into a tri-party agreement with PSE&G and another private company to lease and maintain the installations, which would see the township receive a percentage of the electricity generated, Mr. Schmalz said.  

"This would be a way for us to get credit towards our electric bill," Mr. Schmalz said.

The township recently had an energy audit conducted for the municipal building and the library and is currently going out to bid for the upgrades for both facilities.

"We're going to be able save about 20 percent on our energy bill just by doing these improvements," Mr. Schmalz said.  "We have some old heat exchangers that need to be replaced and that's going to save us quite a bit once those improvements are made."

Mr. Schmalz said the township would continue to look to new energy solutions in an effort to become a model "green" community and to become more energy efficient.

"My goal and the goal of the Township Council is to trim our energy bill," he said.  "Hopefully, someday, the Municipal Building and the other township buildings will become 100 percent self-sufficient on energy costs."