Solar panel plant proposed By KRISTI FUNDERBURK Staff Writer
VINELAND -- A former governor was in town Monday to pitch the city on building a solar-panel manufacturing facility.
Within a year, the city could be home to one of the biggest such plants in the state.
Former Gov. James Florio was among the officials from Amelio Solar Inc. who met with city officials Monday morning to discuss a plan to establish a thin-film photovoltaic solar panel factory here.
"You would have a catalyst here in Vineland for something growing very rapidly," said Florio, a founder of the Ewing-based Amelio who also serves as a spokesman and consultant. He later said, "It's time for a renaissance."
Florio and Amelio officials Bart Wolman, chief sales and marketing officer, and Walker Wright, government relations, met with Mayor Robert Romano, Vineland Municipal Electric Utility Director Joseph Isabella and city solicitor Alfred Verderose to propose two plans.
Amelio officials shared ideas to establish a solar-panel manufacturing factory, as well as a solar-generating facility in Vineland.
City officials wanted to move forward with the factory, but pushed aside plans for a solar-generating facility.
The modules Amelio officials proposed are made by coating a pane of glass with a very thin film of photovoltaic material, which converts light into electricity but does not contain Crystalline Silicon like traditional solar panels.
The difference, Amelio officials contend, is a product that costs 50 to 70 percent less to build and lasts longer during the day.
Wright said Vineland is a good location for the project partially because of its "appetite for renewable energy."
Wolman said another reason is the city's existing glass industry. The plan is to integrate the solar factory with a local glass factory, he said.
"We believe we can get into place a photovoltaic industrial center here," Wolman said, which, he added, could establish 150 to 200 jobs, create low-cost opportunities and bring renewable energy options to the city.
There are only a handful of solar-panel manufacturers operating in New Jersey, state Board of Public Utilities spokesman Doyal Siddell said.
Isabella told the Amelio officials the utility is already working with a company to build a solar field in the city, but details can't be released until a contract is signed.
If the city decides more panels are needed in the future, Amelio would need to go through a bid process like the other companies that proposed solar plans to the city, Isabella said.
"We have a lot on our plate with the simple-cycle generator and the solar project. We've got a lot going on now, but in about a year, we'll be looking again," Isabella said.
Romano and Isabella were very interested in the solar-panel factory, however. The jobs established alone make it "a great program" for the city, Romano said.
Wolman said it would take about a year to get a factory running, which could be good timing for the city's electric utility and its current solar plans.
James Lelli, the city's director for economic development, said the factory could be based at the Airport Commerce Center on Forrest Grove Road, or the Kimble Glass facility on Crystal Avenue.
"We have to have industries designed to compete in the next wave of manufacturing and a solar power plant is the next key," he said.
As a community, we seem to be sitting back and watching these "green" opportunities go by. We are truly the hub of South Jersey. We need to use that to our advantage and attract these types of endeavors to our community. We should jump into the fray with these discussions, it might not be too late. We should have included solar technology with the new town hall, and we still could. Just look at the Convention Center in AC. Ours, of course, would be on a much s,aller scale, but every little bit helps. This is not a swipe at the current administration, but should serve as a wake up call. We need to aggressively go after these opportunities and not watch them succeed in neighboring towns.
PEOPLE NEED TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL SPENDING PLAN. THE WORKING CONDITIONS FOR OUR TEACHERS IS TERRIBLE. THE BUILDINGS HAVE TO BE FIXED. THE $13.6 MILLION IS IMPORTANT THAT THE TAXPAYERS APPROVE. MAYBE SOMEBODY CAN CHECK INTO IF THE SCHOOL CAN BUY SOLAR PANELS TOO.
Some Firsters are encouraging their members to vote NO on this because this will hinder the chances of passing a referendum to have Stockton come in using taxpayer money. I personally think Stockton should use our school facilities. We can use THEIR money to fix ours schools.
OUR TEACHERS NEED THIS $13.6 MILLION. THE WORKING CONDITIONS ARE DEPLORABLE. OUR TAXPAYERS CAN AFFORD TO FOOT THE BILL. SUPPORT OUT TEACHERS ON THIS IMPORTANT SPENDING PLAN.
I would like to postpone this spending bill since we just took on over 8 million in new debt with the new town hall project.
Let's not overburden the senior citizens and working class families with too much debt. Our school children do not need to be burdened with massive debt in the future.
You need to read into the posters intent. He's trying to push the idea that it's a "Spending Plan.' By pushing the word teacher, it makes it seem like it doesn't benefit the kids.
