DSM North America, a science-based company specializing in nutrition, health and sustainable living, has welcomed a newly expanded solar field in Belvidere, N.J., totaling 20.2 MW on 66 acres of land.
DSM partnered with New Jersey-based GeoPeak Energy to develop, engineer and construct the expansion of the project, which represents the largest net-metered solar installation in New Jersey and second largest on the East Coast, claims DSM. The on-site solar generation facility comprises more than 62,000 PV panels, estimated to produce 25 million kWh of renewable electricity annually.
The new expansion will effectively triple the solar output of the site’s first phase by adding an additional 46 acres and over 42,000 panels. At peak production, the maximum output of the facility will exceed the DSM’s peak consumption, with excess power sent to the power grid during those times.
“The newly expanded solar field is part of DSM’s commitment to doing well by doing good for both our communities and our environment,” says Hugh Welsh, president and general counsel of DSM North America. “It will minimize our impact on the planet through clean, renewable energy and allow for sending enough green energy back to the grid to power 406 homes for a year.”
As a member of the RE100 initiative, DSM has a goal to source 100% renewable electricity for its global operations. DSM’s purchased electricity from renewable sources increased from 8% in 2016 to 21% in 2017.
“We’re proud to be an integral part of DSM’s commitment to sustainability and thank DSM for trusting us to develop and construct another solar project,” says AJ Javan, partner at GeoPeak Energy. “Over the past few years, GeoPeak Energy has partnered with DSM to implement key objectives of its sustainability plan, including this 20 MW solar project.”
