East Orange School District Launches Landmark Clean Energy Project to Revitalize Infrastructure and Deploy Solar Technology
Comprehensive partnership with NEC and SunRock Distributed Generation pairs infrastructure upgrades with long-term fiscal and environmental sustainability.
East Orange, NJ — June 15, 2026 — Today, the East Orange School District officially kicked off its comprehensive Clean Energy Project, an innovative finance, design, build, and operate solar photovoltaic initiative designed to modernize district facilities. Executed in partnership with the specialist development team of NEC and SunRock Distributed Generation, the project officially begins construction at two of the district’s largest school complexes. This initial phase marks the start of a district-wide rollout encompassing 21 school facilities, with full project completion scheduled over the course of 2027.
The ambitious initiative introduces an estimated 5.5 megawatt (MW) DC solar network projected to generate 6.49 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, effectively offsetting roughly 35 percent of the district’s utility-purchased energy. Beyond manufacturing clean power, the program integrates robust transportation electrification by installing public EV charging stations at four distinct sites alongside a high-capacity DC Fast Charging network dedicated to supporting the district’s growing electric school bus fleet. Crucially, the project is structured to deliver profound structural and fiscal benefits, leveraging project savings to fund an estimated $9.5 million in urgent roofing capital improvements and repairs across the district.
"This initiative represents a historic win for our community because it simultaneously addresses critical structural needs while locking in environmental stewardship," said Dr. Christopher Irving, Superintendent of Schools. "By partnering with NEC and SunRock Distributed Generation, we are executing vital, much-needed roof repairs at our campuses funded entirely through the structural efficiencies of the project. We are fundamentally improving our physical facilities while creating structural energy efficiency and budget predictability that will benefit our students, staff, and taxpayers for decades to come."
"Our city is proud to stand alongside the school district as we transition toward a cleaner, more resilient future," said Mayor Ted R. Green. "Deploying solar technology and building out advanced EV charging infrastructure at our local schools sets a powerful example of municipal innovation. This project not only reduces our collective carbon footprint by thousands of metric tons each year, but it also demonstrates how fiscal responsibility and sustainable urban planning can go hand-in-hand to elevate community infrastructure."
Financed through a stable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) structure, the project guarantees long-term energy cost relief, projecting a net savings of $6.16 million over the next 15 years. In addition to clean energy production and infrastructure revitalization, the partnership features a robust educational component that will bring real-world STEM opportunities directly into our classrooms through supervised hands-on activities, jobsite observation, and a specialized solar exhibit concept designed to prepare students for the green economy.
Media Contact:
Terry Corallo, Director of Communications & Community Relations
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 862-233-7300 X28401