September 5, 2009

Vineland solar field to celebrate success

From staff reports

VINELAND -- The city's electric utility scheduled a Sept. 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the first phase of a solar field at the Landis Sewerage Authority.

The roughly 7,600 panels started generating 2.3 megawatts Tuesday, said Lisa Lucena, assistant administrative analyst and spokeswoman for the Vineland Municipal Electric Utility.

City officials in February announced their plan to build a 4-megawatt solar field with partner Conectiv Energy on the LSA land off South Mill Road. Work on the second and last phase of the project will begin in April and should be operable by June 1.

On peak days, both fields will produce enough energy to power about 400 homes, VMEU Director Joseph Isabella said.

That energy will be pumped directly into the VMEU's power grid through power lines installed earlier this year at the LSA property