Solar Energy Push Continues

Just in time for Earth Day, the push for solar energy in Gloucester Township received a big boost this week.

Council on Monday approved three measures that could lead to solar panels being installed on school buildings, on a former industrial property and in a residential community.

The first resolution Council unanimously approved authorizes the township to enter into a shared-services agreement with Black Horse Pike Regional School District (BHPRSD) and . The agreement allows the township and two school entities to jointly solicit bids for "the design, development, operation, financing and maintenance of solar photovoltair facilities."

Superintendent John Golden hinted at the agreement at the March 24 BHPRSD board meeting.

Council on Monday also approved a resolution that authorizes the township to solicit bids for the lease of the former Owens Corning property on Somerdale Road for "the design, development, operation, financing and maintenance of solar photovoltair facilities."

It also approved an ordinance on final reading granting approval for solar facilities under the Glen Oaks redevelopment plan.

"As you know we've been working on an energy master plan for Gloucester Township, and this plan includes everything from energy audits to energy aggregation to single-stream recycling and, of course, the solar applications you voted on tonight," Mayor David Mayer said during Monday's meeting.

Mayer met with school officials Monday evening to discuss the school-township partnership.

"It will be one of the largest shared-services partnerships in South Jersey," he said.

The township saw its first solar panels go live earlier this year, when panels were installed atop the Chews Landing Road municipal building.

A kiosk has been installed in the municipal building lobby that will allow residents to monitor energy production and financial savings.

One estimate showed the township will save $4,900 per year by going to solar energy at the municipal building alone.

Add in energy credits, which sold at $630 per credit last year, and the township stands to make more than $25,000 per year on the municipal building's solar panels, according to township engineer John Cantwell.

On the private side, the planning board last month approved a plan for the installation of solar panels near Villari's Lakeside.

Editor's note: Check back with GT Patch Saturday morning for an update on the township "Green Team" and its push to earn a Sustainable Jersey designation.