10K Solar Panels Proposed To Power Cherry Hill

CHERRY HILL, NJ — More than 10,000 community solar panels would be installed in Cherry Hill under a proposal set for a hearing at Thursday's Zoning Board meeting.

Solar Landscape — a national company headquartered in Asbury Park — wants to install the panels on 10 different commercial buildings in Cherry Hill.

The company leases rooftop space from commercial-property owners to install community solar panels. The process puts renewable energy into the power grid, which residents and customers can purchase.

PSE&G — Cherry Hill's electricity provider — has partnered with Solar Landscape in select areas where customers can use that solar power and obtain credits on their electric bill. But the township's current zoning regulations prevent that setup.

In Cherry Hill, all solar-energy systems must primarily power the properties where they're located. They cannot be installed for the purpose of commercial sales to off-site users.

In one case, the township issued a zoning permit in 2023 for rooftop solar panels. But the permit was rescinded a year later when Cherry Hill's Department of Community Development learned they were intended for community use.

Solar Landscape says the community setup provides "significant savings in cost and space plus quicker installation," according to township zoning documents.

The company wants to install 10,350 solar panels across 10 different commercial-property roofs in Cherry Hill:

• 1 Keystone Ave.
• 2 Keystone Ave.
• 1931 Olney Ave.
• 1939 Olney Ave.
• 2 Pin Oak Lane
• 2020 Springdale Rd.
• 2030 Springdale Rd.
• 2040 Springdale Rd.
• 2050 Springdale Rd.
• 2080 Springdale Rd.

For the project to advance, the Zoning Board will need to grant a use variance — an exception to the township's zoning regulations granted to developments that serve the public good, among other factors.

Solar Landscape also needs permission to install concrete pads on the ground near each building.

The Zoning Board will convene at 7 p.m. Thursday. All meetings are conducted on Zoom. Click here for more info, including how to access the meeting.