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PSEG Essex Solar Center, a 3.6MWdc facility, is the largest solar farm in Vermont. It was constructed jointly by PSEG Solar Source, Encore Redevelopment, juwi solar Inc. (JSI) and Vermont Electric Power Producers Inc. (VEPP) and began commercial operations in October, 2014. Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin helped dedicate the facility on the weekend.
"The PSEG Essex Solar Center is a great fit with Vermont's commitment to a future of clean, renewable energy sources," Gov. Shumlin said. "Now more than ever, it is critical that we adopt cleaner, cheaper and more secure local electrical generation that increases our competitiveness, reduces air pollution, improves public health and creates jobs."
The “glimpse into Vermont’s future” facility occupies a leased section of the Whitcomb Farm and helps the Farm, which has been in continuous operation since 1867, remain in active agricultural use. Approximately 12,000 PV panels are installed. The solar farm generates enough clean electricity to power over 600 homes and offsets 2,841 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. It is PSEG Solar Source’s 10th installation in the United States, where the company has installed 110MWdc across eight states including Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, Ohio and Texas.
"The PSEG Essex Solar Center helps point the way forward, toward a sustainable future for all," said Diana Drysdale, president-PSEG Solar Source. "We are proud to be a part of a project that contributes to Vermont's clean-energy economy and supports the State's goal of increasing the amount of locally generated renewable energy."
The solar farm was developed and constructed by JSI, which served as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor and will manage the day-to-day operation of the plant. It has a 25-year power purchase agreement with VEPP as part of the Vermont Sustainably Priced Energy Enterprise Development (SPEED) program.