Electrical consumption to be reduced by new solar-powered wastewater treatment plant

Vanguard Energy Partners announced the completion of a 578kW solar photovoltaic system at the Morristown Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Vanguard teamed with Ferriera Construction on the project which features multiple ground and roof-mounted arrays, including an innovative solar canopy structure that was erected over a filtration tank to maximize space. The installation consists of 2,886 Kyocera Solar and BP Solar Modules. Site work, civil engineering and steel erection were provided by Ferreira Construction Company, Inc.

The solar installation will produce approximately 635,800 kWh or 40 percent of the electricity needed to operate the waste water treatment plant from the clean, renewable power of sunlight. The system is expected to save the town a minimum $90,000 a year. The project was made possible by a $1,464,734 incentive rebate from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. The solar installation saves Morristown taxpayers money by generating electricity that not only powers the wastewater treatment plant, but also increases revenue by selling Solar Renewal Energy Credits. The project will pay for itself in less than eight years with energy savings and SREC revenues.