Aberdeen Flicks Switch to Save Over 150,000 Trees and $750,000

It was about four years ago when a light went off in the minds of the Township Council and the Aberdeen Green Team: working together, they could save money and better the environment by going solar. 

Since the seeds of that idea were planted, the project has blossomed in to a power purchase agreement (PPA) between Aberdeen and Nexus Energy Solutions, with solar powers installed at no cost to the township at five locations, according to Mayor Fred Tagliarini.

Although the solar panels began operating on April 25, the township officially marked the completion of the project on Tuesday with a ceremonial flick of a large power switch between two solar panels.

"It's been a thrill to see this project come from conception to reality," Tagliarini said at the ceremony. "It's with great pride we present this to the community."

In Oct. 2011, Aberdeen finalized the 15-year PPA with Nexus Energy Solutions of Lawrenceville for a 557,000-KWh solar installation and approved plans to install solar panels at the municipal building, three pumping stations, and the Public Works Complex on Lenox Road.

At the Riverdale Drive Pump Station, the ground-mounted panels are expected to provide more than 90% of the site's electric demand, while the Noble Place Pump is expected to generate 95% of needed power. The Greenwood Avenue Pump Station is expected to generate 100% of needed power.

A combination of rooftop and canopy panels were installed at the Public Works Complex on Lenox Road over the recycling areas. Those panels are expected to satisfy 100% of the site's electrical usage.

In July 2012, the solar canopies began popping out throughout the township and just under a year later, Nexus received all necessary approvals and turned the system on.

Roy Morales, the project manager at Nexus, explained that the solar panels would save Aberdeen an estimated $750,000 over the 15 year agreement. The solar panels will also have a positive environmental impact, he said, explaining that over fifteen years an estimated 154,836 trees and 697,356 gallons of gas will be saved. 

Curious residents will be able to keep tabs on the solar panels' energy production. At each of the five locations, a screen displays current energy generation, past energy generation and a forecast for future energy generation.

Tagliarini added that is just one of two major environmentally conscious projects the township has taken on in recent years, noting that the acres of land purchased off of Greenwood Road will likely become a Monmouth County park.