João-Pierre arrived in 1997 at the door of NJBIZ, then known as Business News New Jersey, as an intern and was hired that same year as a staff writer. For more than 12 years he has covered the retail, technology, and media industries in the state. He also handles principal online news writing at NJBIZ.com. João-Pierre is a lifelong resident of the state and graduated from Rutgers University. 
Grocery chain The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. said Thursday it completed the installation of solar panels at eight stores, including four locations in New Jersey: on Route 27, in Franklin Park; Route 34, in Aberdeen; Easton Avenue, in the Somerset section of Franklin Township; and Lacey Road, in Manchester’s Whiting section.
The company said it expects the solar panel systems — developed by Alteris Renewables Inc., of Wilton, Conn. — to reduce energy consumption at the stores by more than 7 percent.
All told, the solar-panel systems at the eight stores are expected to cumulatively generate nearly 1.76 million kilowatt-hours annually.
The company also installed solar panels in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Stop & Shop, based in Quincy, Mass., said it plans to bring a variety of “green” solutions to its 375 stores in the Northeastern region.
E-mail João-Pierre Ruth at jpruth@njbiz.com
Follow me on Twitter @jpruth
