CS Energy, an energy firm based in Edison, announced on Monday it has completed the largest solar project in New Jersey.
Ben Moreell Solar Farm LLC, the project’s owner, and the Department of the Navy leased 170 acres of underutilized land to construct a 28.5 MW ground-mount project at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Tinton Falls as part of the Navy’s energy resiliency initiative and the state’s Energy Master Plan.
The solar project, which is owned by Vitol Green Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of energy and commodities company Vitol Holdings B.V., will be tied directly to the local utility grid.
“I’m proud of our team for once again safely complying with heightened military regulations and delivering a turnkey solar project,” Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy, said. “We are honored to help the U.S. Navy, Vitol, and our home state of New Jersey increase their use of solar power.”
CS Energy designed, procured and installed the power plant, it said. At the height of the first phase of construction, CS Energy’s team was installing 4,000 solar panels every day. The second phase of construction is currently underway, the company said, including the installation of a separate behind the meter solar system that will connect directly to the NWS Earle utility grid.
“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,” Capt. Pierre A. Fuller, commanding officer, NWS Earle, said. “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.”
