The sun shone brighter in S.B. on Monday

Dow Jones & Company held a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday to kick off construction for its large-scale solar power installation. This innovative project will generate clean

The solar panel project at Dow Jones in South Brunswick is expected to look like this rendering when it is completed. energy for its corporate offices in central New Jersey.

The system is 4.1 megawatts, making it one of the largest installations for solar power at a commercial site. It is made up of 13,000 solar panels that will hang like a canopy over nearly 230,000 square feet of parking space at the Dow Jones campus on Ridge Road in South Brunswick.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg began the ceremony by thanking Dow Jones for taking initiative in the solar energy project.

“I salute Dow Jones for its leadership,” he said.

Lautenberg referred to the current oil spill, citing it as a constant reminder that society needs to move away from the use of fossil fuels.

“Enough is enough. It’s time to heed the warnings,” he said. “[New Jersey is] at the forefront now, generating solar power more than any other state except California.”

Lautenberg went on to discuss the significant positive effects of solar energy, including cuts in dependence on foreign oil, reduction in air pollution and improved health.

He also intends to work with Sen. Robert Menendez, who was also in attendance, to pass a climate bill in the U.S. Senate.

“This project is proof that a clean-air energy future is not only possible but probable,”

Lautenberg said.

Menendez spoke next about the advanced solar energy system. He explained that the installation generates enough energy to power half of the entire site.

“Dow Jones has always led the way, and

it’s leading the way now,” he said.

Bob Martin, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, spoke about the project’s importance for New Jersey’s future.

“New Jersey’s reliance on fossil fuels has hindered its growth in a lot of areas,” he said, explaining that there needs to be more of a direct focus on economic growth and clean energy. He said the state will work to provide more permits for solar energy projects. It will also look to utilize unproductive space such as landfills for solar projects and make them more productive.

Tom Leyden, managing director of Sun- Power, the company selected to build the system, also addressed the crowd.

“I know you’re standing in the sun right now, but soon your cars will be in the shade,” Leyden joked, referring to the new solar panels that will be installed.

He went on to discuss the economic and time efficiency of the project, explaining that solar energy is the fastest, cheapest option. Building new power plants is very expensive, and they can take between 10 and 15 years to open, he said.

“Solar energy has a declining cost over time, not rising,” Leyden said. “Considering all costs, renewable wins. … There’s no fuel cost, no maintenance, no noise and no pollution.”

Les Hinton, chief executive officer of Dow Jones, was the final speaker.

“We arrived at this moment because we made it a priority,” he said. “It’s about high standards and innovative thinking. It’s about operating a business that has a vision for the future.”