Westwood Officials Want a Say in Solar Panel Placement

Westwood residents may have noticed solar panels being installed on utility poles in the borough. The installations are part of a PSE&G project to increase the use of solar power throughout the state. While borough officials said they don't object to the project, they have said they wanted more consideration given to residents.

PSE&G Spokesman Fran Sullivan said the installations in Westwood are part of an initiative called "Solar 4 All," meant to install 80 megawatts of solar power in New Jersey by the end of 2012. Sullivan said there are currently 85,000 solar panels installed in the state and the utility company is making its way north into Bergen County.

Government officials met with PSE&G representatives last week to express concerns that residents weren't being factored into the equation when determining where to put the panels.

"We wanted more involvement from elected officials, the administration and certainly consideration in the formula to residents," said Council President Robert Miller.

Mayor John Birkner Jr. said in one instance, a solar panel was placed immediately outside one resident's window, blocking the view of the area. He said he would like PSE&G to take those instances into account.

"What we had asked is that our criteria be included in the determination of what pole is suitable for the hosting of those panels," Birkner said.

But officials said they are in favor of the project as a whole.

"We certainly agree that it is a worthy initiative to reduce the reliance on foreign oil sources and bring clean energy in the state of New Jersey," Birkner said.

Sullivan said PSE&G voluntarily stopped installing solar panels when borough officials began asking questions, but he said, "Once we answer a few outstanding questions, the plan would be to start installing panels again."

The panels will not have an impact on residents' energy bills, according to Sullivan. He said they work differently than solar panels that individuals may install on their own roofs. Individual solar panels produce energy that wouldn't be needed from the utility company. With the PSE&G solar panels, the energy produced is used by the utility company to power homes with its service.

"These are just another way of putting electricity into the grid," Sullivan said.