Work begins on 3.2MW public-private solar program in New Jersey

June 23, 2010

Work has begun on a series of 19 solar projects that will see 3.2 megawatts of generating capacity installed on schools and municipal buildings in New Jersey.

The Morris County Improvement Authority (MCIA), solar energy provider Tioga Energy and installation contractor SunDurance Energy celebrated the start of construction yesterday for a 1.57MW solar project at the William G. Mennen Sports Arena.

The program of installations has been funded through the “Morris Model”, a public-private partnership that has enabled the developers to make use of federal tax credits and state bonds.

Construction is starting just six months after the County announced their plans in January 2010.

Morris County Freeholder William Chegwidden, liaison to the Improvement Authority, said: “This ambitious project demonstrates a true feat of collaboration and innovation between the public and private sector.

“Tioga and SunDurance brought to the table unparalleled expertise in piecing together the finance and operations of solar development. County officials and stakeholders secured responsible financing and demonstrated unwavering commitment.”

Solar panels

The groundbreaking ceremony saw the first solar panel put in place out of 14,000 solar panels to be installed in the program.

When completed, the total project will result in an energy savings of more than $3.8 million.

The Mennen Sports Arena solar system—which comprises installations on all three ice rink rooftops plus elevated solar structures covering more than 500 parking spaces—will produce 30 percent of the facility’s electricity.

“The entire Morris County community should take pride in today’s kick-off event,” said Paul Detering, CEO Tioga Energy. “The Morris Model has grabbed the attention of county officials from across the state and the nation; they’re taking note of how to replicate this blueprint of affordable solar electricity.”

“In addition to its positive environmental impact, the project is bringing employment to the area and, by reducing the price of energy at Morris County schools, helping to strengthen school finances and reduce the local tax base,” said Al Bucknam, CEO of SunDurance Energy, the company that is engineering and installing the systems.

Morris Model

The “Morris Model” refers to the hybrid solar financing deployed, whereby the MCIA issued state-approved government bonds to finance renewable energy projects, and the project developer, Tioga Energy, qualifies for the Federal tax incentives that would normally not be available to public entities.

Tioga passes along the savings to the County with clean electricity at a lower rate: under the terms of the 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tioga, Morris County will purchase the electricity generated by the systems at a price that is approximately 35 percent less than that charged by the utility.

During that 15-year period, the combined solar energy systems will generate 51,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean energy, which creates carbon offsets equivalent to taking more than 200 passenger vehicles off the road each year.

Apologies from BrighterEnergy.org:

Owing to technical difficulties, the original text of this story was lost on June 24, this restored version may be slightly different from the original.