Largest Solar Farm in Northeast U.S. Under Construction

by Zachary Shahan

Con Edison Development and Panda Power Funds started construction on a 20-megawatt solar electric generating station in Pilesgrove, NJ last week. This solar farm will be able to power over 5,100 homes and will be the largest solar farm in the northeastern U.S. upon completion. The farm will include 71,400 solar panels and operation is expected to begin next spring. The clean power generated from these solar panels (20-megawatts DC or 18-megawatts AC) will reduce global warming emissions as much as taking 3,500 cars off the road each year would do. New Jersey's leading solar energy incentives were a big reason why the farm is being built in New Jersey. "New Jersey has long been a national leader in promoting alternative energy, and this project is proof that our commitment to strong public-private cooperation is a model for success," said New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney. "The State of New Jersey has set the pace for state governments nationwide through its powerful commitment to renewable energy, and that is why this solar installation is becoming a reality," said Robert Mennella, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Con Edison Development. "Thanks to an intelligent partnership between government and the private sector, New Jersey has become the tip of the sword in the green-energy economy," said Todd Carter, president and managing partner of Panda Power Funds. "Garden-state legislators have incentivized us to create jobs with free-market mechanisms - not costly government subsidies, grants or cumbersome loan guarantees." There you go, New Jersey's progressive solar energy incentives are paying off. More states (and the nation as a whole) would do well to take note. Reprinted with permission from Cleantechnica

Post originale: http://featured.matternetwork.com/2010/10/largest-solar-farm-northeast-us.cfm