Award of Merit-Green
The owners of this water treatment plant sought to tap the solar market to generate electricity. But, since the plant sits on more than 500 acres of protected land, 110-ft by 110-ft solar panels could not be easily set up in conventional locations. The team turned to a reservoir on the property to mount the panels on floating docks. The system was secured with a series of concrete ballasts that allow the docks to rise and fall with changing water levels but keep the panels tilted toward the sun.
The PV system generates 135,000 kilowatt hours of power a year, or 2% of the plant's total needs. The project is said to be the first project of its kind in the Northeast.
New Jersey American Water Canoe Brook, Short Hills, N.J.
Key Players
Owner/Developer: New Jersey American Water
General Contractor/Construction Manager: Eneractive Solutions
Lead Designer: Eneractive Solutions
Docking System: Poralu Marine
Submitted by: Eneractive Solutions
