CS Energy has successfully completed the largest solar project in New Jersey. The project owner, Ben Moreell Solar Farm and Department of the Navy (DON), executed a lease for approximately 170 acres of underutilized land for the purpose of constructing a 28.5-MW ground-mount project located at Naval Weapons Station Earle (NWS Earle) in Tinton Falls.
CS Energy
CS Energy designed, procured and installed the power plant, creating a custom worksite that allowed for a streamlined construction process while still maintaining the base’s high security standards. Currently, the second phase of the project is underway. As in-kind consideration, CS Energy will install a separate behind-the-meter solar system that will connect directly to the NWS Earle utility grid, providing DON with renewable energy to support operations.
The Ben Moreell Solar Farm on NWS Earle was established as part of the Navy’s energy resiliency initiative. Owned by Vitol Green Holdings, a subsidiary of global energy and commodities company Vitol Holdings B.V., the solar project will be tied directly to the local utility grid. In case of emergency, and with further investment, the clean power plant can be modified to power the base, which has a combined workforce of more than 1,500 civilian, military and contractor personnel.
“With close to 1 GW of solar capacity installed worldwide, CS Energy is a proven partner for delivering solar power projects that maximize use of the terrain while offering high levels of output,” said R. Andrew de Pass, head of renewables for Vitol Inc. “Their attention to safety, efficiency and customer service enabled us to deliver the NWS Earle project in record time.”
The NWS Earle plant is one of the firm’s largest; in total, CS Energy has installed more than 80 MW of solar energy projects on U.S. bases across the globe.
“Having access to reliable, sustainable and renewable sources of energy like solar power helps our Navy improve our energy security, operational capability, strategic flexibility and resource availabilities,” said Capt. Pierre A. Fuller, Commanding Officer, NWS Earle. “We are equally pleased this is the largest solar project in the state, to date, and it contributes to New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan.”
New Jersey’s 2020 Energy Master Plan aims to produce 100% of its energy from renewable, carbon-neutral sources by 2050.
“I’m proud of our team for once again safely complying with heightened military regulations and delivering a turnkey solar project,” said Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “We are honored to help the US Navy, Vitol and our home state of New Jersey increase their use of solar power.”
News item from CS Energy
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