News Releases from Region 02

Solar Farm Powers EPA Environmental Center

(Edison, NJ) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Administrator Pete Lopez announced today that the EPA has installed 4,788 photovoltaic panels at their Edison, New Jersey campus.  The solar array system will generate enough electricity to power 45% of the campus’ electrical demand based on annual consumption.  

“It is fitting that EPA lead by example in using renewable energy sources, and I’d like to see efforts like this expanded throughout NJ and the region,” said Pete Lopez, EPA Region 2 Administrator. “The EPA supports the efforts of state and local governments and other organizations to explore renewable energy projects by providing expert advice, technical support, and tools through our Green Power Program. In addition, cutting edge research by the Department of Energy will lead to solutions for reducing current barriers to the broader use of renewables, including ways to improve energy storage.” 

This project was contracted through the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, which provides the Department of Defense and other government agencies with comprehensive energy solutions in the most effective and efficient manner possible., including the EPA. The photovoltaic system was designed and constructed by Ameresco, Inc. The new system is rated at a peak capacity of 1.5 megawatts and is expected to produce a total of two million kilowatt hours of electricity in its first year of operation.

About the Edison Solar Farm

• The panels were positioned at a 25-degree tilt facing directly south to maximize the space and productivity.
• The solar panels will operate year-round.  Clearance has been taken into consideration for snowfall and shading from adjacent rows and structures.
• The system will operate in accordance with an interconnection agreement between the EPA and the local utility, PSE&G.
• During periods when the solar field is producing more energy than needed, which include the weekends, the excess power will flow to the PSE&G utility grid. PSE&G will then credit EPA for the excess photovoltaic power generated.

The system will reduce air pollutant emissions and cut EPA’s energy bills - thereby reducing taxpayer costs.

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