Solar farm installation by Unity Electric

Electrical

Business Case

Solar farm installation by Unity Electric

Project story

A large-scale renewables solution for Tinton Falls, NJ

Key Facts

Mobilized expertise

- Energy production and renewables solution

Project figures

- 21,012 tons carbon offset per year
- provides clean power to 2,600 homes
- Approx. 26,000 MWh produced annually

Introduction

Unity Electric LLC designed and built a commercial scale solar installation on a 100-acre site in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. This multi-million-dollar project took place between 2011 and 2012. Unity coordinated numerous subcontractors to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of a successful project that maintained positive relationships with both suppliers and the community. Designed with a 15-year lifespan, the project was built using Tier 1 products and equipment. Unity continues to provide preventative maintenance for the project, employing local electricians for annual inspections of switch gears, inverters, relays, circuit breakers, and fuses.

Challenges

Unity discovered a proposed interconnection point was located outside the property lines. They successfully modified the utility application, found a suitable alternate solution, and worked with the owner to obtain right-of-way easements to ensure access to the selected alternate interconnection point.

Solution

To ensure durability and reduce heat load within the subsurface, Unity and their design team chose an above-industry-standard, industrial refinery grade 35kv medium voltage cable assembly direct burial for the MV power infrastructure, and in some areas used above-ground cable tray systems to manage DC branch and feeder wiring.

In addition, the project employed many residents, and the town now receives increased tax revenue from a previously underutilized property.

Results

The first privately owned large-scale solar project in the state, Tinton Falls Solar Farm LLC attracted media attention for its owners, state senators, and local officials, as well as the community.

Thanks to the site rehabilitation, the owners are eligible for additional tax benefits as well. This project was one of Unity’s best yet and provided many opportunities for the local community at large.