Solar PV atop two New Jersey schools offsets nearly all of their electricity needs

Solar Builder | Staff
July 20, 2022

Greenskies Clean Focus and its partner Eznergy Solar Energy Solutions, a New Jersey-based solar developer and EPC, have completed a 490-kW solar portfolio for the Rumson Board of Education. Annually, the 1,225 solar panels at the schools are projected to generate more than 550,000-kWh of clean energy, offsetting approximately 87-90% of the electricity needs of the individual schools.

The rooftop solar installations located at Deane-Porter Elementary School (204 kW) and Forrestdale Middle School (286 kW) will help the school district save on energy bills over the long term and increase its sustainability profile.

“Greenskies is excited to support the Rumson School District in its adoption of renewable energy,” said Stanley Chin, President and CEO of Greenskies. “Solar provides stable energy costs and a highly-visible demonstration of the environmental benefits for years to come. Schools are an important component in the transition to clean energy in New Jersey and across the US.”

In addition to solar, both schools have reduced their annual electricity needs through the state’s Energy Savings Improvement Program (NJ ESIP) with Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs). The district-wide energy-saving plan includes converting to LED lighting and installing energy conservation controls across various systems, lowering overall energy usage.

“The Board of Education is committed to leading by example with responsible energy procurement,” said Dr. John E. Bormann, Superintendent of Schools. “Adding solar at Deane-Porter and Forrestdale not only helps reduce the district’s electricity costs and carbon footprint but also helps boost the state’s clean energy portfolio with more renewable energy.”

Over the 15-year term, these projects will offset nearly 6,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO 2), or the equivalent of taking around 1,300 cars off the road.

“Eznergy is pleased with the installation at Rumson Schools which required some unique engineering and installation to provide clean solar energy to two schools from one rooftop system,” said Jim Brown, President of Eznergy. “We are glad that Eznergy was part of the energy savings project for the Rumson Schools.”