Construction will soon begin on a solar panel system in North Jersey that will generate more than 7.6 megawatts of power, making it one of the largest in the state.
Somerset County's $40 million project will power official buildings, draw tax savings of more than $1 million per year, and annually clear the air of more than 15 million pounds of carbon emissions and 3,000 tons of coal that would have been used to generate electricity.
Vanguard Energy Partners will manage the project, for which construction is expected to be completed by December 2011.
"This private-public partnership in renewable energy is a win-win because it will save money for taxpayers, support the local economy and benefit the environment," Vanguard chief executive officer Jim LaFleur said in a statement.
Expected to be one of the largest solar plans in New Jersey, the Somerset County project will have panels on the county courthouse, a library, a municipal building, a high school and a community college. The project also stands the likelihood of expanding.
Vanguard won the right to operate the system for 15 years, after which Somerset County can negotiate a new contract with Vanguard, take over the system or discontinuing the project.
http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/10/somerset_set_to_begin_40m_15-b.html
Construction will soon begin on a solar panel system in North Jersey that will generate more than 7.6 megawatts of power, making it one of the largest in the state.
Somerset County's $40 million project will power official buildings, draw tax savings of more than $1 million per year, and annually clear the air of more than 15 million pounds of carbon emissions and 3,000 tons of coal that would have been used to generate electricity.
Vanguard Energy Partners will manage the project, for which construction is expected to be completed by December 2011.
"This private-public partnership in renewable energy is a win-win because it will save money for taxpayers, support the local economy and benefit the environment," Vanguard CEO Jim LaFleur said in a statement.
Expected to be one of the largest solar plans in New Jersey, the Somerset County project will have panels on the county courthouse, a library, a municipal building, a high school and a community college. The project also stands the likelihood of expanding.
Vanguard won the right to operate the system for 15 years, after which Somerset County can negotiate a new contract with Vanguard, take over the system or discontinuing the project.