Solar, Sourcing Renewables - June 9, 2023
Floating Solar Array is Powering NJ Water Treatment Plant
The New Jersey American Water’s Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant is now being powered by a solar array that consists of 16,510 solar panels.
The 8.9-megawatt (MW) solar array covers 17 acres of the Canoe Brook reservoir in Short Hills, New Jersey. The clean power generated will provide approximately 95% of the power needs for the water treatment plant.
Owned and operated by NJR Clean Energy Ventures (CEV), the renewable energy subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), the solar array uses a racking system that enables the panels to float on water.
Built mostly on man-made lakes or reservoirs, where tides and saltwater will not impact the panels, floating solar projects are popular in densely populated areas such as New Jersey.
The Canoe Brook solar facility was placed into full commercial operation in January 2023. The solar power produced is equal to removing 8,121 metric tons of GHG emissions. Additional benefits from floating solar panels include a reduction in evaporation, which protects the water source.
“As the state’s largest water and wastewater utility company, it is essential for us to be good stewards of the environment by operating efficiently and in a manner that helps protect our natural resources,” said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water in a statement. “This initiative provides a meaningful reduction of traditional energy use that benefits the environment, as well as our customers through limited capital expense and reduced power costs.”
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