Township mails voluntary Solar Landscape enrollment letters; residents warn about solar scams and electricity reliability

Commissioner Andrews and other officials updated the committee on a voluntary community solar enrollment program and the township’s outreach efforts at the Sept. 16 meeting.

Andrews said letters were mailed to validate that the Solar Landscape mailer was legitimate and to provide a contact number for questions; he said the program allows residents to purchase credits from off-site commercial rooftop solar projects and that about 465 enrollments had been recorded so far. The program is voluntary and depends on private contracts between residents and the solar provider; the township’s role was limited to validation and consumer information.

Several public commenters expressed concern about solar marketing and scams aimed at seniors. Jim Gelson said he worried about solicitation tactics, potential deed or contract traps, and broader electricity availability and pricing. Officials said municipal staff mailed verification letters to help residents find accurate information and cautioned seniors and other residents to verify offers. Commissioner Andrews said the township is not running the private transactions and that the letters were meant to assure residents the outreach was not a scam and to supply a point of contact for questions.

Officials also clarified that the township’s initial acceptance of community solar projects is consistent with state law that allows municipalities to welcome such projects and that private companies negotiate individual leases with commercial property owners for rooftop space.