Self-Storage REIT Extra Space Participates in New Jersey Community Solar Program
August 3, 2022
Extra Space Storage Inc., a self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) and management company, has partnered with Solar Landscape to put rooftop solar panels on 10 of its New Jersey locations. The projects are part of the state’s Community Solar Energy Pilot Program, which allows residents of low- to moderate-income households to subscribe to nearby solar installations for energy use, according to a press release.
The Extra Space installations will comprise a 6.5-megawatt portfolio covering 800,000 square feet of rooftop space. Together, they’ll power more than 1,400 homes across seven counties, serving residents in Egg Harbor, Hazlet, Ho-Ho-Kus, Iselin, Jersey City, Lawrence, Neptune, Old Bridge, Parlin and Toms River. Solar Landscape recently completed the project at 2990 State Route 66 in Neptune, which will generate approximately 500 kilowatts of energy.
“We are thrilled to be involved in this community solar project. At Extra Space Storage, we have been equipping our locations with solar for over a decade, and this new effort to bring solar power to the local community is an exciting development,” said McKall Morris, senior manager of communications and sustainability for Extra Space. “Partnering with Solar Landscape on this project aligns perfectly with our commitments to be good corporate citizens and to participate in environmental initiatives that are positive for our communities, customers, employees and shareholders.”
In its second year, the pilot program actively works with the commercial real estate sector to expand solar reach. Many property owners install only enough panels to cover their building’s needs. This effort encourages them to instead cover their entire rooftop and generate excess power the community can use.
“Community Solar is a vital part of Gov. Phil Murphy’s clean-energy initiative, which is aimed at reaching 100% clean energy by 2050,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), which has approved 46 projects for this year. “We are particularly excited that projects such as this enable us to provide access to solar energy for residents who have been unable to access solar energy because of barriers like cost or where they live.”
In all, Solar Landscape has 54 approved community-solar projects underway. Once complete, they’ll power more than 11,000 homes and save New Jersey residents more than $20 million on their energy bills, according to the release.
“Thanks to Gov. Murphy, the NJBPU, community leaders across the state and our installers, New Jersey has become a national model for clean-energy equity,” said Shaun Keegan, CEO of Solar Landscape. “The promise of community solar in New Jersey has arrived, and it’s bringing guaranteed savings to residents at a time when many other costs are increasing. We’re proud to be partnering with Extra Space Storage on this project, which connects business leaders with the local community and saves residents money.”
Solar Landscape has also partnered with schools, nonprofits and other community organizations. As part of its outreach, the company joined Sustainable Jersey City, an environmental education nonprofit, to award $20,000 in scholarships to high school seniors.
Based in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Solar Landscape is a full-service solar-power company. It develops, designs and installs solar solutions for the commercial, industrial, municipal, nonprofit and public-school sectors. It has more than 200 megawatts of solar projects completed or under construction.
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Extra Space owns or operates more than 2,130 self-storage properties nationwide and in Puerto Rico. The company’s properties comprise approximately 1.5 million units and 164.2 million square feet of rentable space.
Source: PR Newswire, Extra Space Storage Community Solar Project, the First in New Jersey's Year 2 Program, to Bring Clean Energy to Over 1,400 Households
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