OCEAN CITY--Going green has become more than just a word in one resort destination, it is now a reality. Thousands of solar panels are being installed in Ocean City this week, and while the price tag for the project may be high, officials say for the residents. They are priceless.

Solar energy is alive and well in Ocean City as officials kick off a 4 million dollar energy project by installing 2,000 solar panels on Municipal buildings.

Jim Rutala, Business Administrator said, "We have solar panels on 5 buildings and each building the solar panel will reduce the energy costs by 17 percent.

After nearly 5 years of planning the Ocean City Solar Energy Project began with just a flick of a switch and is now one of the largest municipal projects in the State.

Jim Bryan of World Water and Solar Technologies added, "Municipalities are now facing increasing fossil-fuel costs, electric bills and are able to pursue incentives through New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and build projects similar to what we see in Ocean City."

Commissioner of NJBPU Nicholas Asselta says, "We know how valuable it will be for Ocean City, but what it really does is sends a message around the State..we can do this renewable it can be accomplished."

The solar projects price tag is over 4 million dollars, but after private developers leveraged both State Grants and Tax Credits, city officials say it costs nearly nothing.

Asselta added, "$1.6 million dollar rebate to the city of Ocean City from the Board of Public Utilities and my colleagues, if only the beginning of what we have done across the State.

All 5 buildings receiving the solar panels are expected to be completed in a couple of weeks and Ocean City officials say being a green leader is just the beginning.

Rutala says, "Alternative energy is real, an option for residents as well as businesses and municipalities. There's allot of options out there and the State of New Jersey is leading the way.
For more information about Ocean City's Solar panels go to www.ocnj.us. or for more on Solar Panel installation go to www.worldwater.com