Oct 5 2010
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) and JEA, a nonprofit resident community owned utility, has opened the PSEG Jacksonville Solar facility in the presence of the public, government officials and business community.
PSEG Jacksonville Solar located in an area covering 100 acres in Jacksonville, Florida has 200,000 ground-fixed solar panels to produce 15 MW of clean power. During a normal sunny day the power produced from the panels can be used to supply electricity to 12,000 houses in Jacksonville. JEA a nonprofit local utility which initiated the project has signed a long term agreement with PSEG for the purchase of power produced by the solar panels. Miller Electric Company, a Florida-based construction company completed the construction as the main contractor utilizing the local population for the construction work. Colorado-based juwi solar USA Inc was contracted for providing construction, procurement and engineering services and for developing the facility. The solar panels utilized in the facility were manufactured by First Solar.
Diana Drysdale, PSEG Solar Source’s Head, said that the company has chosen Jacksonville for the productive Florida sun, favorable political climate that encourages solar development and finally an associate like JEA who has a clear idea about delivering renewable energy to its clients. Jim Dickenson, Managing Director and CEO of JEA said that his company is involved in the generation of clean energy from the year 1999 when it was not known to many. He added that the alliance with PSEG will enable JEA to add to its commitment towards clean energy and allow the company to get more knowledge about the functioning of a large solar energy facility.