EDF Energies Nouvelles company, enXco and Carrier Clinic mark the opening of the 1.8MW solar PV array to be constructed on the New Jersey health campus. The project will utilize First Solar modules and will honour the PPA enXco signed with the health company earlier this year.
The modules supplied by First Solar will be provided as part of the EDF supply agreement with the company. The array will cover approximately 14 acres and will be the largest solar system on a New Jersey healthcare system campus constructed. The solar array is expected to supply 50% of Carrier’s electrical services during periods of peak demand and highest price.
C. Richard Sarle, CEO and president of Carrier Clinic, said, “We are proud to be, at this time, the only hospital or behavioral health system in New Jersey with a ground-mount project of this scope. As we approach our 100th year anniversary, we remain committed to partnering with our community in an effort to meet the clean energy goals of the State of New Jersey.”
Carrier Clinic, a non-profit behavioral healthcare system, located in Belle Mead, New Jersey signed the agreement with enXco to cover a period of 25 years. Under the agreement, enXco will own and operate the New Jersey system and supply the project’s output to Carrier Clinic on a net-metering basis.
Peter Solomon, director of distributed solar for enXco said, “Our integrated approach to project development has allowed us to design a high-value, cost-effective energy solution for Carrier Clinic which will provide stable electricity pricing with no operating costs or capital expense. This project marks our fifth solar energy development in the state and further demonstrates our commitment to help New Jersey businesses lower their energy cost.”
The project is consistent with the objectives of the New Jersey Master Energy Plan and will further qualify for New Jersey Renewable Energy Certificates, which are essential to the economics of the project.
The project is expected to be operational in late 2009.