Wakefern And NJR Clean Energy Ventures Announce Solar Project
Keasby, NJ
Wakefern Food Corp. and NJR Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV), a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources have begun work on the installation of a rooftop solar system at a Wakefern Food Corp. distribution center in Keasbey, New Jersey. The 2.4 megawatt solar system will supply power to a refrigerated warehouse, helping lower Wakefern’s long-term electricity costs and its greenhouse gas emissions.
“Wakefern has been committed to reducing its impact on the environment for more than thirty years,” stated Joe Sheridan, president and COO of Wakefern Food Corp. “Generation of renewable energy is a natural next step in our commitment to sustainable business practices. We are delighted to partner with NJR Clean Energy Ventures to bring the power of solar energy to our perishable warehouse in Keasbey."
The solar array is expected to produce nearly 2,900,000 kilowatt hours annually, eliminating 2,000 metric tons of carbon-equivalent emissions from the atmosphere. This equates to removing the carbon dioxide emissions produced by approximately 390 vehicles.
“Together with Wakefern, we are making renewable energy and its benefits a greater piece of our energy future,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of New Jersey Resources. “As a leader in the energy marketplace, NJR Clean Energy Ventures continues to look for new opportunities in the solar market that are consistent with our core energy strategy to support job creation and benefit our customers, company and state.”
NJRCEV will invest $6.9 million to develop and install the state-of-the-art, solar array across the 300,000 square feet of rooftop. The system will be installed by Advanced Solar Products of Flemington, New Jersey and is expected to be operational by December 31, 2012.
The Wakefern solar project is one of the latest installation projects in the NJRCEV commercial solar portfolio, with commercial ground-mounted and rooftop solar projects totaling 27.6 megawatts in commercial operation in Monmouth, Mercer, Middlesex and Cumberland counties.
Based upon the findings of a study by Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, it is estimated that up to 35 jobs will be created as a result of this project.
Wakefern
