Additional 223 MW of Solar Sought in New Jersey

August 1st, 2012 by Jake Richardson

$883 million is being requested from New Jersey state regulators to expand the Public Service Enterprise Group solar power capacity. (This group is New Jersey’s largest and oldest public utility.)

If approved, the very large investment has been estimated to create about 300 jobs each year for five years.

“New Jersey is a national leader in the solar industry. This Administration pledges to continue moving forward with our commitment to develop renewable sources of energy and with corporate partners like PSEG, New Jersey will continue to lead the way,” said New Jersey governor Chris Christie (Source: PSEG)

New Jersey is rated number two among US states for installed solar capacity with 775 MW. California is the leader, with Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada rounding out the top five.

In the first quarter of 2012, New Jersey lead the country in solar installations with 174 MW.

Part of the state’s solar plan includes converting vacant lots, old football fields and brownfields into solar power plants.

Image Credit: Mwanner, Wiki Commons