New Jersey's solar industry surpassed 1 gigawatt of installed energy, the state Board of Public Utilities announced today.

The more than 20,300 solar projects installed statewide with the help of subsidy credits include residences, businesses and government facilities, along with landfills and brownfields, according to a BPU news release detailing the milestone.

One gigawatt is enough solar electricity to power 139,000 homes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Gov. Chris Christie called the 1 gigawatt barrier "an incredible achievement," adding "it is clear that New Jersey will remain one of the largest solar energy markets in the United States."

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There are more than 15,500 residential and 3,000 commercial solar installations across New Jersey. There are also 300 schools projects and 200 government constructions on rooftops, carports, landfills and brownfields, the BPU said.

According to the BPU, the Garden State "continues to rank second in the nation in installed capacity at the distribution level."

The Solar Energy Industries Association, a national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry, said a recent survey it released found the state ranked third in solar energy installations.

New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel said the governor "is trying to take credit for New Jersey’s solar program that his policies have dramatically hurt, and we have dropped in national ranking because of it."

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