There have been several pole-attached solar energy units installed recently in the City of Perth Amboy. PSE&G has provided the City with a Frequently Asked Questions sheet below that you can refer to if you have any questions or concerns.
If you have any other questions/concerns related to PSE&G call: 1-800-436-PSEG (7734)
PSE&G Pole-Attached Solar Project
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the PSE&G pole-attached solar project?
A. In July 2009, PSE&G received regulatory approval to install small solar energy units on 200,000 utility poles and street lights in the towns we service in the next two years. The solar power will flow to the electric grid, which serves all customers.
PSE&G's investment is the largest pole-attached solar installation in the world. Thanks to this and other programs, New Jersey has more installed solar capacity than any state except California.
Q. How does this project benefit customers and the state?
A. This project will bring the benefits of clean, renewable energy to all customers in New Jersey. In addition, it also will create jobs for people who are needed to assemble and install the units.
Q. Where will the solar units be installed?
A. The solar units will be installed in residential neighborhoods, as well as on poles and aluminum street lights along main streets near area businesses. We are informing municipal officials when we are working in their towns.
Q. What do the solar units look like and how do they attach to the poles?
A. The units are 5 feet wide by 2.5 feet high and weigh about 60 pounds. They are safely attached to the pole about 15-18 feet from the ground.
Q. How does PSE&G select the poles that will have solar units installed on them?
A. PSE&G is selecting poles that can support the units, face in a southerly direction and have no more than one transformer already on the pole.
Right now, PSE&G is using poles and street lights that it owns. We hope to reach an agreement with Verizon Communications to use jointly owned poles in the near future.
Q. Who is installing the solar units?
A. PSE&G will be using several contractors to install the units on all available poles during the next two years.
Q. Will PSE&G move a solar unit if residents don't like where it is installed?
A. PSE&G understands that residents may have concerns about the placement of the solar energy units in their neighborhoods. Because of many factors that must be considered, we regret that we are not able to move a particular unit to another location. Clean, renewable solar energy benefits everyone by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.