What is community solar? Fair Lawn program lets residents get power without panels

Fair Lawn residents may be eligible for a 20-year discount on their electricity bill now that the borough has joined a community solar project, which allows customers to get power at reduced prices without adding panels to their homes.

The borough posted a notice on its official website that residents should be expecting a letter from the New Jersey Community Solar Energy Program in their mailbox soon. The state-approved program is no scam, the town said.

The initiative, which began last year, allows renters and homeowners to sign up for a portion of the power generated by solar installations on commercial rooftops around the state.

Participants in the Fair Lawn program will receive energy from projects built by Asbury Park-based Solar Landscape, which describes itself as the nation’s leading developer of commercial-rooftop solar. The same company recently partnered with Westwood to bring a community solar option to that town.

There are no fees to enroll or cancel. According to the Fair Lawn notice, the program provides a “guaranteed 31% discount on solar credits applied to your PSE&G bill” which is expected to start in 2026. The discount lasts for 20 years, officials said.

“This program helps protect households from rising utility costs — including the recently announced PSE&G rate increase — while supporting cleaner, renewable energy right here in our community,” according to the borough’s notice.

Fair Lawn’s Green Team Advisory Committee first approached the borough council about the idea, said Mayor Cristina Cutrone. In the future, two community solar projects will be built in the town itself, said Cutrone.

“Electricity costs are definitely not moving in the downward direction,” Cutrone said in an interview. “That’s something people are really feeling because the increase was so abrupt and quite drastic. This is an easy way for residents to immediately see some savings. Obviously, the program itself has something we believe in because it’s helping to create a greener, more sustainable New Jersey.”

The more residents can benefit from projects like this, the more solar power will be built, added Cutrone. Signing up is simple, according to the mayor, who said she has applied to be part of the program. All that was required was a name, address and PSG&G account number.

More: How would Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill address electricity prices in New Jersey?

After a household is assigned a solar project and PSE&G can purchase the solar at a discounted rate, they will begin passing the savings to their customers, said Cutrone.

“We all get a benefit from this and it’s so easy,” said Cutrone.

Community solar is part of the Green Team’s overall goal to make Fair Lawn more sustainable, said Michael Ciolino, who chairs the committee. Their work also includes efforts such as planting more shade trees and native plants, encouraging electric cars and increasing energy efficiency in borough buildings.

“What’s cool about this is that you can have solar power without installing panels,” said Ciolino. “For many of us, it’s a big investment, so this really helps all households, including renters and condo owners, to be suitable for solar.”

Space in the program is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, the borough said, with priority for low- to moderate-income households. For more information, residents can visit solarlandscape.com/NJ/FairLawn or call 732-589-7529.