PSE&G and Matrix Development Group Cut Ribbon on New Solar Systems

PERTH AMBOY, N.J., May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) and Matrix Development Group today marked the completion of two rooftop solar installations at adjacent Matrix-owned buildings in Perth Amboy, NJ. The 2.8-megawatt (MW) project is part of PSE&G's Solar 4 All™ program that is spurring economic growth in New Jersey and creating jobs while economically increasing New Jersey's renewable energy capacity.

Solar 4 All is a two-tiered approach that will over three years develop 80 solar megawatts – enough power to serve about 13,000 average-sized New Jersey homes. The program is structured so the financial benefits – the value of the solar credits (SRECs), federal tax credits and the sale of the solar energy – are returned to customers by offsetting the overall cost of the program.

"It's hard to beat energy that's pollution-free and can be produced and distributed locally, using the grid to benefit as many people and businesses as possible,"  said Al Matos, PSE&G's Vice President – Renewables and Energy Solutions. "We are providing solar power and developing the New Jersey solar market in a cost effective way."

The Partner in Charge, Richard F.X. Johnson, runs Matrix Renewable Energy Services, a division of Matrix Development Group of Cranbury, NJ.  

"This project represents a significant step forward for New Jersey in helping to achieve the state's goal of being a recognized leader in the renewable energy arena," said Johnson.  "As a company steadfastly committed to energy-efficiency best practices, Matrix is strongly aligned with the mission of PSE&G's Solar 4 All program to expand New Jersey's solar capacity for the benefit of all residents and business owners in the state."

The Matrix buildings are located at 1000 & 1050 Amboy Avenue in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.  The two solar systems are comprised of 10,395 crystalline solar panels. The panels cover more than 217,000 square feet of roof space in total and are connected directly to the electric grid for the benefit of all PSE&G electric customers. They will produce enough solar electricity to power about 470 average-size homes.  

"This project exemplifies Solar 4 All's innovative approach to developing solar resources while preserving open space," Matos said. "Large warehouse roofs are underserved real estate for solar development in New Jersey.  By building these rooftop systems we are utilizing undeveloped space, providing a valuable source of revenue to building owners unlocking economic value and creating clean solar power for all of our electric customers to use."

PSE&G is using leading solar energy companies to help deploy solar systems across the state. enXco, a premier developer of solar energy projects built the solar systems on the Matrix buildings.  enXco has developed over 100MW of both distributed generation and utility-scale PV solar systems in the U.S. and Canada.  Matrix represents the company's fifth solar project in New Jersey.

In addition to the Matrix site, the Solar 4 All program has built solar systems on the grounds of five Newark Public Schools totaling 2.7MW and a roof solar system at a warehouse in Bayonne (1.7 MW).  PSE&G facilities also host solar systems. A 0.9 MW system is installed on the roof of PSE&G's Central Division Headquarters in Somerset, NJ and the Edison Training and Development Center has a 0.7 MW system, which includes roof, ground, carport and pole-attached installations.

The utility also has four large ground-mounted solar farms in service on PSE&G-owned properties.  These solar farms are located in Yardville (4.4 MW) Linden (3.2 MW), Edison (2.0 MW) and Trenton (1.3 MW). Each are among the largest solar farms developed in New Jersey and three are built on remediated brownfields (Edison, Trenton and Linden).

State regulators approved PSE&G's Solar 4 All program in July 2009. The approved program required the utility to make investments to install 80 megawatts of solar power, enhancing the economic growth of New Jersey, creating jobs and vastly increasing the amount of renewable energy capacity in the state of New Jersey. The program's first segment consists of installing up to 40 megawatts of highly distributed pole-attached smart solar units in neighborhoods on utility poles in PSE&G's electric service territory, which includes the state's six largest cities and roughly 300 rural and suburban communities. This is the largest pole-attached solar installation in the world, with the smart solar units connected directly into PSE&G's electric distribution system providing solar generated power to all customers.

The second segment of the Solar 4 All program focuses on 40 megawatts of centralized solar facilities, such as the Matrix system and other solar sites on PSE&G owned or leased properties connected directly to the grid thus benefiting all customers.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability.  PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified energy company. www.pseg.com

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Matrix Development Group is a privately held, full-service real estate investment and development company with offices in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Company is active in the commercial, industrial, urban, residential, golf and hospitality markets throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. Since its founding in 1979, the Company has developed real estate valued in excess of $1 billion and has been recognized for its leadership by numerous charitable, community and real estate organizations. For more information on Matrix Development Group, please contact the Company's Cranbury, New Jersey, office at 732-521-2900 or visit www.matrixcompanies.com

SOURCE Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G)