Yesterday I previewed Tuesday's eight NJ school budget votes -- the ones that contained solar panel spending initiatives -- as a "status report on the popularity of solar power in NJ." I'm particularly interested to see how "solar sentiment" is holding up amidst the general recession and the crash in traditional energy prices. It's crucial that we push solar power ahead while the window of public opinion is open, because our energy independence and the health of our environment are at stake.

THE RESULTS FROM YESTERDAY -- QUITE GOOD. Six of the eight referendums that involved spending on solar panels were approved by voters -- that's a 75% approval rate (versus 50% approval rate for the referendums yesterday that did not involve solar). Approvals came from Greater Egg Harbor, Palmyra, Upper Saddle River, Brick Township, Lacey Township and Oxford Township, most by a healthy margin. The two rejections were Manchester Township and Lumberton Township, both decisive margins. 75% approved is very good in a year when only 60% of the previous solar resolutions were approved, and only 38% of total budget dollars have been approved by voters in all '08 referendums (solar- and non-solar-related), according to the NJ School Boards Association.

A full preview of the day's referendums is located here.

WHAT'S NEXT: many more school budget referendums involving solar. There were approximately 13 referendums this year involving solar panel projects, yet a full 42 school districts have applied for NJ Clean Energy Program rebates, which nearly matches the previous five years of solar rebate requests. That leaves many more solar initiatives coming to ballot in '09. And it won't get much easier for the school districts as the recession weighs on voters' minds, and falling traditional utility prices could keep the long-run solar savings from expanding further at this time (though solar technologies are improving). Moreover, the state's Clean Energy Program stopped accepting applications in April because it reached its quota, so some schools may try to get voter approval for solar projects without state rebates.

Looking Ahead: Recipe for Success: School districts will need to keep their pencils sharp, and be able to clearly justify to voters how much money they'll save by investing in solar panels. Some districts may be called upon to promise to roll-back the applicable tax increases once the panels have paid for themselves. What's more, districts will probably find greater success when they show that solar panels just are a part of an overall energy efficiency investment that targets lots of low-hanging fruit, and part of a necessary renovation project for the schools.

• I've been corresponding with the NJSBA Public Affairs Officer Michael Yaple, who offered helpful perspective this morning: "The [solar-related referendums yesterday] indicates that voters are willing to support green projects, especially when it is demonstrated that they will pay off in the long run. It can be difficult in some communities to support the up-front costs, and that’s understandable. But with the rollercoaster prices of fuel and electric in recent years, communities are looking for some stability. These projects offer that promise of stability. But that’s just the financial aspect. Without a doubt, many school officials throughout the state – as well as citizens in each of those communities – are embracing the concept of green energy. For years, schools have been teaching children about the importance of environmental stewardship. And in many communities, the adults are 'walking the walk.'”

In closely related news yesterday, I also learned this morning that a Washington Township School Board meeting seemed to lean against putting a solar panel product to vote in the district. According to Jessica Beym's article, it seemed the cost/benefit ratio wasn't compelling enough -- at least, as it was presented -- and participants in the meeting had questions about whether panels could be installed for zero up-front cost, by contracting with the local utility to install and manage the panels.

Finally, note that for new schools, there's a bill in the NJ Legislature, S2429 & corresponding A3208, which would "Require the incorporation of solar panels in the design and construction of new public school facilities." We plan to keep track of this bill.

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