LETTER: Township should explore solar

Jean Dvorak, South Brunswick
   I was delighted at the recent township Planning Board meeting to hear a warehouse developer, Hadley, proposing green building concepts including solar energy installations.
   The company plans to put solar panels on its warehouse roof and over the large infiltration basin. From the looks of the plans and their responses to questions I asked during the break in the meeting, they have experience and success with such systems in other towns.
   But some of the Planning Board’s questions indicated that not everyone in the decision making process was fully educated in solar energy systems like this one.
   It’s time South Brunswick began making some serious thinking about such alternative energy.
   I have solar panels at my house and in nearly two years since their installation, my electric bill has been zero. This summer, with constant use of air-conditioning, I am still running a credit with Public Service, Gas & Electric. Theoretically, if a homeowner or the township were able to completely pay for a solar system designed to meet the needs of average energy use, there would be no electric bill to pay.
   But, that does not necessarily mean my house is directly “solar powered.” Solar energy produced by solar panels goes out to the grid, meaning that the electricity generated by my panels leaves my house and goes out to be part of PSE&G’s general supply. I am still using energy supplied by PSE&G from their lines to power my house. I earn credit for the energy my panels produce. When it rains or is cloudy, I still have electricity supplied to my house by the energy company.
   At the end of last year, I produced more energy than I used, and received credit and a check from PSE&G for that “overage.” A large system, such as the one proposed by the warehouse developer, might well produce far more energy than the warehouse uses, giving the developer a nice profit. Furthermore, a solar system can earn “green tags,” energy credits that can be sold for more profit each year, earning even more money from the system.
   As newer solar technologies develop, solar energy becomes a better and better option for producing electricity. As some other letter writers have suggested, there are many alternatives for homeowners, communities, and others who might want to install solar systems. Under one program, a property owner can have a solar system installed at no cost and lower energy bills by 20 percent. While that’s a lot less than zeroing out your electric bill, it’s still a savings and a green alternative that decreases our dependency on fossil fuels.
   South Brunswick needs to step forward, like some of our more enterprising developers, and explore the options of solar energy for public buildings. The 2010 budget allots $600,000 for electricity. That is 1.5 cents of the municipal the tax increase. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a way to lower or even eliminate that bill completely?
   We have plenty of open roofs, open parking lots and sunlight in our township. Let’s step into the sunshine to start exploring ways to take advantage of them.
Jean E. Dvorak
South Brunswick
Ms. Dvorak is an independent candidate for Township Council.