Ribbon cut at Largest Solar Facility at a Secondary School in New Jersey

[jpak]

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/kdc-solar-and-the-lawrenceville-school-cut-the-ribbon-on-largest-solar-facility-at-a-secondary-school-in-new-jersey-2012-05-08

BEDMINSTER, N.J., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- KDC Solar LLC, headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey, through its wholly owned subsidiary, KDC Solar TLS, has begun commercial operations at The Lawrenceville School of the largest PV solar system (6.1 megawatts) at any secondary school in New Jersey. The new system, which will generate approximately 9 million kilowatt hours of solar electricity per year, will allow The Lawrenceville School to receive approximately ninety percent of its annual electric needs from clean renewable solar energy and substantially reduce its carbon footprint. In addition to the solar facility, the site was planted with a wildflower mix of grass seed that will be the home to fifteen honey producing bee colonies and host more than 900,000 bees. It is expected that, on average, 525 pounds of honey will be produced from this field annually -- another ecological and agricultural benefit.

A ribbon cutting ceremony marking the commencement of commercial operations was held at The Lawrenceville School on May 4th. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R), 13th District, Member of the Economic Growth Committee, Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D), 17th District and Chairman of Assembly Telecommunications and Utility Committee, Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D), 14th District and Vice Chair of the Telecommunications and Utility Committee and Congressman Rush Holt (D), U.S. Representative for the 12th Congressional District.

The installation was done by J. Fletcher Creamer and Son, a fifth generation New Jersey contractor headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey. The solar facility uses over 24,934 photovoltaic panels and a tracking system utilizing Array Technologies DuraTrackHZ trackers. Members of the Electrical Workers, Laborers, Operating Engineers, Ironworkers and Carpenters unions worked more than 22,900 hours in constructing this solar facility.

"The Lawrenceville School has become a national leader among secondary schools for its commitment to sustainability," said Head Master Liz Duffy. "This use of clean energy helps the Lawrenceville School fulfill its Green Campus Initiative. We also look forward to the many learning opportunities the Solar Farm will provide to our students and the local community. The School community will have access to a wealth of real-time monitoring information ranging from where the panels are currently positioned, to how much power is being generated, to how much energy a specific campus building is using, and much more. I am excited about the creative ways our teachers and students will use that data to help build a healthier, more sustainable world for future generations," she said.

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[kestrel91316]

1. The high school down the street from my office is finishing up constructing

8 solar panel-topped shade structures for their large main parking lot. Now people will be able to park in the shade AND the school will generate a lot of electricity in the process.

Our long, hot summers (in excess of 115F on a regular basis) are really hard on cars, so the more shade over parking, the better. It will help that whole block stay cooler due to reduced heat island effect.

Plus it will provide shelter from the sun and rain at a major bus stop where they couldn't bother to erect a proper shelter.

[Nihil]

2. I love this combined usage as well:

> In addition to the solar facility, the site was planted with a wildflower mix
> of grass seed that will be the home to fifteen honey producing bee colonies
> and host more than 900,000 bees. It is expected that, on average, 525 pounds
> of honey will be produced from this field annually -- another ecological
> and agricultural benefit.

Full marks for whoever built that into the project plan!