July 7, 2009

V'land solar field set for Aug. finish

By KRISTI FUNDERBURK
Staff Writer

VINELAND -- Large sheets of glass and silicon faced a bright sun as workers welded them in place at the Landis Sewerage Authority last week.

"To get something from an idea to this in 10 months is pretty impressive," Joseph Isabella said as he looked over the solar field.

Isabella, director of the Vineland Municipal Electric Utility, announced in February a plan to work with Conectiv Energy and the Landis Sewerage Authority to build the city's first -- and potentially the state's largest -- solar field. The partners call it Solar One.

Officials with Conectiv and the VMEU said the construction on Phase One is on schedule to be finished in August. At that point, the 7,672 panels will begin producing energy, Conectiv spokeswoman M.Q. Riding said.

The partners are planning to build two solar fields on adjacent 14-acre sections at the Mill Road site. Officials hope to have the second solar field operable by June 2010.

"We're taking steps to make Vineland energy efficient," Mayor Robert Romano said. "It's going to be an impressive project when it's completed."

Isabella said the solar fields together would produce about 4 megawatts on peak days, or about enough to power about 400 homes. The energy will be pumped directly into the VMEU's power grid via new power lines at the Landis Sewerage Authority, he said.

The solar fields will also help supply energy at what Isabella called "a pretty deep discount to market" to create customer savings.

He has said the VMEU will save an average of $300,000 per year, which equals three-tenths of 1 percent on total rates, or in taxpayers' terms, a 30-cent savings on a $100 electric bill.

Joe Isabella (left), director of the Vineland Municipal Electric Utility, walks with Vineland Mayor Robert Romano at a solar field, which may produce enough energy for 400 homes. (Staff photos/Craig Matthews)

Vineland announced the solar field project in collaboration with Conectiv Energy in February.