CEP Renewables, CS Energy and NJR Clean Energy Ventures (CEV) have transformed a former contaminated brownfield right into a 17 MW solar mission in Holland, N.J.
The fixed-tilt solar array was constructed in two phases on a website that beforehand housed a paper mill advanced. The profitable remediation and redevelopment of this website has transitioned this underutilized house right into a supply of unpolluted energy and elevated tax income for the native municipality.
“We’re pleased to leverage our extensive experience with redeveloping Superfund and brownfield sites to turn this previously contaminated property into a source of solar energy, jobs and tax revenue,” says Chris Ichter, govt vice chairman at CEP Renewables. “We were able to efficiently overcome the unique challenges this site posed by working closely with the property owner and the EPC, CS Energy, at every stage of the project.”
CEV, one of many largest solar proprietor/operators in New Jersey, acquired the Holland mission from CEP Renewables in 2021 and now owns 63 industrial solar tasks all through New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Connecticut, with a portfolio of greater than 430 MW of put in capability.
“NJR Clean Energy Ventures has a long history of working with CEP Renewables and CS Energy on complex solar projects to bring the benefits of clean energy to communities throughout New Jersey,” says Robert Pohlman, vice chairman of NJR Clean Energy Ventures. “We are committed to building a clean energy future with projects like Holland. By repurposing brownfields and other underutilized spaces to produce clean, renewable energy, CEV is helping to deliver clean energy innovations that drive emission reduction goals and power a more sustainable future.”
In the Nineties, the previous paper mill website was deserted and fell into disrepair. CEP Renewables was sought out by the property proprietor, an organization that decommissions former industrial websites, to redevelop this land. With its experience in redeveloping contaminated brownfield websites, CEP’s crew reviewed the complete environmental historical past and supplied important assessment and suggestions earlier than the completion of the remediation by the accountable celebration. This helped to considerably cut back the time wanted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to subject the remedial motion allow. Prior to CEP Renewables assuming management of the location, the realm was remediated, deed restricted and lined with an engineering management. CEP’s crew enhanced the prevailing engineering controls to be suitable with the solar redevelopment.
CEP Renewables and CS Energy additionally overcame a number of challenges, together with the allowing and development of a second section of the mission overlapping with the primary. Additionally, the mission needed to be constructed round a historic farmhouse and powerhouse situated on a portion of the property.
“We are glad to have had the opportunity to work alongside CEP Renewables on another impactful brownfield solar project,” says Michael Dillon, director of operations at CS Energy. “The completed redevelopment of this property now generates clean energy for the state and additional tax revenue for the local municipality.”
