The first month of summer was a big one for the state of New Jersey, as 40 megwatts of electric capacity from 520 solar projects were installed in June, according to NJ.com. This is the record for solar power installations in a month, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

More than 380 megwatts are generated from 10,086 solar arrays across the state, according to the news source. Installations of solar energy has grown 49 percent from the first quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of this year, the DEP said. During a conference call with reporters, DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said they are expecting even more "explosive growth" for the rest of the year.

Efforts such as that of ShopRite, a store in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, are the reason why the state has seen a large increase in solar power over the past year. The store said they are installing 1,782 solar panels, which are expected to power the refrigeration and lighting of the store.

The new panels are expected to create 525 kilowatts of power and reduce carbon emissions by 400 tons, according to store officials.