FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2012
KDC Solar and The Lawrenceville School Cut the Ribbon on Largest Solar Facility at a Secondary School in New Jersey
KDC Solar LLC, headquartered in Bedminster, New Jersey, through its wholly owned subsidiary, KDC Solar TLS, has begun commercial operations at The Lawrenceville School of the largest PV solar system (6.1 megawatts) at any secondary school in New Jersey. The new system, which will generate approximately 9 million kilowatt hours of solar electricity per year, will allow The Lawrenceville School to receive approximately ninety percent of its annual electric needs from clean renewable solar energy and substantially reduce its carbon footprint. In addition to the solar facility, the site was planted with a wildflower mix of grass seed that will be the home to fifteen honey producing bee colonies and host more than 900,000 bees. It is expected that, on average, 525 pounds of honey will be produced from this field annually — another ecological and agricultural benefit.
A ribbon cutting ceremony marking the commencement of commercial operations was held at The Lawrenceville School on May 4th. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R), 13th District, Member of the Economic Growth Committee, Assemblyman Upendra Chivakula (D), 17th District and Chairman of Assembly Telecommunications and Utility Committee, Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D), 14th District and Vice Chair of the Telecommunications and Utility Committee and Congressman Rush Holt (D), U.S. Representative for the 12th Congressional District.
The installation was done by J. Fletcher Creamer and Son, a fifth generation New Jersey contractor headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey. The solar facility uses over 24,934 photovoltaic panels and a tracking system utilizing Array Technologies DuraTrackHZ trackers. Members of the Electrical Workers, Laborers, Operating Engineers, Ironworkers and Carpenters unions worked more than 22,900 hours in constructing this solar facility.
“The Lawrenceville School has become a national leader among secondary schools for its commitment to sustainability,” said Head Master Liz Duffy. “This use of clean energy helps the Lawrenceville School fulfill its Green Campus Initiative. We also look forward to the many learning opportunities the Solar Farm will provide to our students and the local community. The School community will have access to a wealth of real-time monitoring information ranging from where the panels are currently positioned, to how much power is being generated, to how much energy a specific campus building is using, and much more. I am excited about the creative ways our teachers and students will use that data to help build a healthier, more sustainable world for future generations,” she said.
“This behind the meter solar facility is yet another example of the “dual economic benefits” that distributed solar generation can bring to the State of New Jersey, consistent with Governor Christie’s Energy Master Plan. In fact, together with the wildflowers, bees and honey, this represents a “triple economic benefit” by adding the agricultural aspect as well” Senator Joe Kyrillos said.
“We are working closely with the Senate, the Administration and the BPU to ensure New Jersey continues to be a leader in the solar energy field and to stabilize the SREC market. Solar energy is yet another way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and promoting jobs in New Jersey” Assemblyman Upendra Chivakula said.
“We are very pleased to have worked with The Lawrenceville School to bring this dream to a reality. This facility is the largest PV solar facility at any secondary school in New Jersey will supply clean, lower cost, long-term solar energy to The Lawrenceville School for many years,” said Hal Kamine, KDC Solar’s Chief Executive Officer. “The Lawrenceville School solar facility is another example of successful “behind-the-meter” solar electric systems for business/government and institutions, which in turn create or preserve both short and long-term jobs for the state.”
KDC Solar LLC
KDC Solar is supported by an allocation of $225 million in equity from Diamond Castle Holdings, a New York-based private equity fund with more than $1.8 billion of committed capital under management. KDC Solar is committed to using clean solar energy to provide economic stimulus and jobs in New Jersey. It currently operates 20 megawatts of “behind the meter” solar facilities at six different locations, is constructing and permitting 65 megawatt of “behind the meter” solar projects at businesses and institutions throughout New Jersey. KDC Solar supplies commercial, institutions and governments with significantly lower long-term electric costs through solar power. For more information, visit www.kdcsolar.com
KDC Solar, LLC:
Alan M. Epstein
Phone: (908) 212-3621
Email: alan.epstein@kdcsolar.com
The Lawrenceville School
Founded in 1810, The Lawrenceville School offers a comprehensive, coeducational program for more than 800 students, grades nine through post-graduate, who come from 29 states and 35 countries. The School is located on 700 acres in the historic village of Lawrenceville, N.J.
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