Renewable Energy Systems

Firm selects Vineland site for solar field

VINELAND -- A Monmouth County firm announced plans Monday to develop, own and operate a 4.7-megawatt solar field here.

NJR Clean Energy Ventures, a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources, is investing $23.7 million in the project, Micah Rasmussen, director of corporate communications for New Jersey Resources, said.

The company hired American Capital Energy, a solar engineering, procurement and construction contractor in North Chelmsford, Mass., to build the field near Mays Landing Road and Sherman Avenue, Rasmussen said. It should be operational by the end of September, he said.

Once complete, the solar array will provide electricity to the wholesale market via Vineland Municipal Electric Utility, Rasmussen said. It is expected to produce 7.2 million kilowatt hours each year, he said.

The VMEU has made pursuing solar fields a part of its strategy lately. So far, the utility has partnered with private firms to build solar fields that directly benefit VMEU customers. One of those fields has been completed and four more are currently under construction.

The NJR deal is a new direction for the VMEU.

The energy created at NJR's field will be sold to the regional power grid, not directly to the VMEU. But the VMEU will charge NJR a fee of 2.9 cents per kilowatt-hour for allowing the company to use its infrastructure to transfer power to the regional grid, Vineland Municipal Utilities Director Joseph Isabella said.

"This protects our customers for the wear and tear on our distribution system," he said. "They will be paying their fair share."

The VMEU will ultimately collect about $180,000 per year in additional revenue from the new fee, Isabella said.

Rasmussen said the project will have a single-axis tracking system, which allows the panels to move with the sun. This is the first time the company is using tracking technology, he said.

Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of New Jersey Resources, said in a news release that the tracking system would provide 20 to 25 percent more energy output compared to a fixed-tilt system.

"Increasing the renewable energy generated without changing the system footprint provides the opportunity to utilize our properties more efficiently," he said. "We will continue to look for new opportunities in the solar market that are consistent with our core energy strategy to create jobs and benefit our customers, company and state."

The company has already invested $36 million in rooftop and ground-mounted solar systems in Monmouth and Middlesex counties that together generate 26.3 megawatts, he said.

Chimed Farms hosting Open House to showcase its new Solar Energy ...

Chimed Farms, a family beef cattle operation, is taking their operations solar with a 250 kW solar energy system. The solar energy system was installed by Peak Builders Construction Services, a dealer of Fritz Construction Services of Chepstow, Ontario. Peak Builders is a local building company that offers solar energy installations in mid-western Ontario as part of Fritz Construction’s province-wide Renewable Energy Services group. Fritz has been offering quality renewable energy systems in Ontario since 2006 through its construction dealer group. Leveraging Ontario’s FIT program, launched under the Green Energy Act in 2009, the new solar energy system will provide Chimed Farms an additional revenue stream over the next 20 years. The Chimed Farms solar project will produce energy generation revenue that will allow Chimed Farms receive up to 11% return on their investment and will reach its financial breakeven point in less than 8 years. The extra income allows Chimed Farms to diversify its income from cattle and expand its operations. On top of generating an additional revenue stream for Chimed Farms, the solar energy system will produce 315,000 kWH per year, reducing CO emissions from non renewable power generation by 2,800 tons annually and produce the energy equivalent to the power consumption of 30 average homes.

The solar energy system uses 1,222 Conergy P solar modules and over 7,500 feet of Conergy’s made in Ontario SunTop mounting system. The SunTop mounting system was used for its aesthetic look, as it provides a uniform surface coverage and is fully integrated into the roof. Mark Dupuis, Lead Project Manager of Peak Builders Construction Services, stated, “We chose the SunTop mounting system since it is both quick and easy to install, it’s robust design can endure the Canadian climate snow and wind loads and our end customers love its finished look.” The solar energy system is installed on both the cattle barn and an adjacent storage building. Conergy, a global leader in solar energy with over a decade of manufacturing, supply and design experience and over six years in Canada, provided PV design and engineering support and pre and post construction consultation for the Chimed Farms solar energy system.

With the system already connected and supplying power to the Hydro One distribution system, Chimed Farms is pleased with the energy production and the look of the system. Chris Freiburger, Owner of Chimed Farms, stated, “The agricultural industry can have unpredictable income. This system is providing us additional income generation that can help offset swings in agricultural based revenues. ” When Chimed Farms decided to go solar, they wanted a local supplier and installer. “Not only did we want to keep our dollars local, but it was important to us to work with a company that shared a strong interest in the project’s success. We wanted a supplier who would provide any, and all services and support required over the project’s life, not just the installation period, “ stated Mr. Freiburger.

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