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New Jersey education group switches to solar power

Education nonprofit group Educational Testing Service has had 1.8 megawatts of solar power capacity installed on three of its office buildings in New Jersey.

The group, which sets millions of school tests each year in 180 countries, hired SunPower Corporation to design, build and operate the arrays in Ewing and Princeton.

The project is expected to provide about 10% of the electricity needs at the three sites, along with $1.5 million in cost savings over the next 20 years.

SunPower, which is based in San Jose, California, used its T5 Solar Rooftop systems on the Lord and Messick halls in Princeton and Z Building in Ewing.

The T5 is a non-penetrating solar panel system that includes a panel, frame and mounting system in a single pre-engineered unit.

The system is tilted at a five degree angle, which SunPower said meant capturing double the energy of a flat-mounted commercial rooftop solar system.

“With these systems, ETS is reinforcing its commitment to energy conservation, waste reduction and environmental protection. SunPower’s technology will ensure that the systems deliver long-term cost savings and environmental benefits,” says T.J. Elliott, vice president of Strategic Workforce Solutions for Education Testing Service.

PPA

The solar project has been financed through a power purchase agreement through SunPower, in which the infrastructure is actually owned by Wells Fargo.

Educational Testing Service then buys electricity for below retail rates from SunPower, after facing no initial capital investment from the project.

“Using SunPower technology will maximize the amount of power generated, reducing ETS’s annual electricity costs now and over the next 25 years or more,” said Tom Leyden, managing director, SunPower. “We commend ETS for their leadership in environmental sustainability and for helping New Jersey attain its renewable energy goals.”

Educational Testing Services said the solar project was part of a number of on-campus “green” initiatives, which will include an upgrade for heating and cooling systems at its Princeton campus.