Vanguard Energy Partners Brings Solar Energy to NJ Schools

BRANCHBURG, N.J., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard Energy Partners, a leader in the design and installation of large-scale solar electric systems, announces the completion of two solar energy projects at schools in Gloucester and Morris Counties, NJ. The solar installations at the public Pitman High School and the independent Gill St. Bernard's School, will help offset the utility bills at school buildings while simultaneously educating students and the community about renewable energy.

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"We're very excited to help schools utilize solar energy to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, said Vanguard CEO, Jim LaFleur.  "It is also rewarding to know that the schools will be using the arrays as a teaching opportunity for students and the community."

Vanguard installed a 301-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the rooftop of Pitman High School that will generate approximately 350,000 kWh per year. The solar electric system is comprised of 1,284 modules and will produce nearly 40% of the energy needed to power the school from the clean, renewable power of sunlight. Additionally, the energy production from the solar array is equivalent to avoiding 553,646 pounds of carbon emissions. This is comparable to taking 48 cars off the road or conserving 28,249 gallons of gasoline annually.

"We are so excited about our solar project and how it is working," stated Pitman Superintendent of Schools, Thomas Schulte.  "While we're capturing the energy of the sun and converting it into electricity, were reducing our reliance on fossil fuel, lowering greenhouse gases and saving taxpayer money. We are truly going green!"

At Gill St. Bernard's School (GSB) in Gladstone, Vanguard installed the 146-kilowatt array on the roof of the Athletic Center.  The 676 panels will generate approximately 162,000 kilowatt hours or nearly 70 percent of the facility's electricity in the first year. This energy production is the equivalent of avoiding 256,908 pounds of carbon emissions, taking 22 cars off the road or conserving 271 barrels of oil annually. Teachers will be integrating the solar array and information on its power production into math and science classes this year.

The Gill St. Bernard's project was installed with no capital investment from the school because officials entered into a solar power purchase agreement (PPA). Vanguard arranged the financing and maintains the system and the school purchases ongoing solar power at a reduced rate.  

"Private financing, along with the expertise of Vanguard, makes this a win-win for GSB and helps us on our way to energy sustainability," said Sid Rowell, Headmaster of Gill St. Bernard's.

Both schools will have to ability to evaluate their respective power consumption, solar production and system efficiency using SunFlow Monitor, a real-time, web based monitoring system provided by Noveda Technologies.

About Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC

Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC (www.vanguardenergypartners.com) designs and integrates large-scale solar electric systems for businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and utilities. With operating offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, Vanguard excels at providing turnkey solar electric solutions for the private and public sectors. With extensive experience in construction, commercial roofing and electrical systems management, Vanguard has completed over 130 solar installations with more than 12 MW of DC rated capacity.

SOURCE Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC