An aerial photo of the Rock Solid installation in Howell Township.
Pro-Tech Energy Solutions recently completed a 9.9 MW solar installation in Howell Township, New Jersey for NJR Clean Energy Ventures (NJRCEV), a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), a Fortune 1000 company that provides natural gas and clean energy services. Converting approximately 45 acres of abandoned property into a solar power station, Pro-Tech was responsible for the design, engineering, procurement and construction of the project. The power generated by the 33,000 solar panels installed by Pro-Tech provides enough electricity to power more than 1,400 area homes.
“Pro-Tech teamed with NJR Clean Energy Ventures to convert unused land into a powerful source of electricity,” said Rich Cooper, president of Pro-Tech Energy Solutions. “Using the latest technologies, while being mindful of conservation easements and civil engineering challenges, we were able to design, engineer and build a commercial solar energy system that minimized environmental impacts and now delivers clean, affordable energy to thousands of New Jersey homes.”
Pro-Tech installed four arrays, each utilizing an Advanced Energy 2 MW Powerstation mounted on helical screws rather than a poured concrete foundation. Using an innovative steel screw-in piling and ground anchoring system, Pro-Tech was able to construct the inverter foundations quickly and efficiently, saving installation time and cost while providing additional flexibility in the field for product maintenance and updates.
Installation of the arrays also required a substantial civil engineering effort, which included significant site grading, removal of 77,000 square feet of asphalt, management of conservation easements for local wetlands and boring under NJ Transit tracks adjacent to the property to bring power from the arrays to Jersey Central Power & Light’s point of interconnection. Pro-Tech was also responsible for site restoration and beautification efforts, which included the installation of a mix of vinyl, split rail and chain link fencing, as well as the construction of 1,200 feet of new planting berms covered with a mixture of evergreens, trees and plants.
“With the Rock Solid commercial solar installation, NJR Clean Energy Ventures now has more than 100 MW of installed capacity in New Jersey, or enough clean energy to power nearly 10,500 houses annually,” said Mark Valori, director – project and asset management, NJR Clean Energy Ventures. “This project continues our track record of providing low carbon solutions to New Jersey residents.”
