Vanguard Energy Partners Helps NJ Company Harness Solar Power to Achieve 'Net-Zero Electric' Status

NORTH BRANCH, N.J., April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard Energy Partners, a leader in the design and installation of large-scale solar electric systems, today announced that the rooftop solar system it constructed for Pegasus Products of Branchburg, NJ, has  transformed the company into a high-performance "net-zero electric" manufacturing facility. Pegasus is now producing more electricity than it is consuming and helping power its neighbors by pumping surplus energy back into the grid.

Vanguard installed the grid-tied 101-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system atop Pegasus' 80,000-square-foot factory that will generate approximately 111,100 kWh per year for the pool liner manufacturing company. The solar electric system is comprised of 442 panels and will produce 100% of the energy needed to operate the building from the clean, renewable power of sunlight.

Additionally, Vanguard helped Pegasus secure a federal grant of nearly $150,000 under national stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that covered 30 percent of the project's cost. With energy savings and revenue generated through solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs), Pegasus expects to recoup its investment within five years, according to Frank Patel, president of Pegasus Products and The Cover Company.

Pegasus' solar system will also dramatically lessen the company's environmental impact by reducing carbon emissions by 175,902 pounds per year. That is equivalent to conserving 8,975 gallons of gasoline annually or 173 barrels of oil. Pegasus is utilizing Noveda Technologies' SunFlow Monitor, a real-time, online energy monitoring system that will track the facilities' power consumption, solar production and system efficiency.

"We are very excited about achieving net-zero status and look forward to lowering our energy costs and limiting carbon emissions," said Mr. Patel. "The sophisticated design provided by Vanguard has led to high efficiency and performance which helped us reach our energy goals."

Vanguard is a full-service solar integrator that regularly assists customers with monetizing solar projects. Generous federal, state and local incentives are being offered to fund clean energy projects and Vanguard has the knowledge and expertise to help its clients secure funding.  

Vanguard also recently helped Quick Chek, the NY Metro market leader in fresh convenience foods, secure a federal grant of over $200,000 in stimulus monies to finance the solar PV system at its corporate headquarters in Whitehouse Station, NJ. Quick Chek is a privately held company with over 120 stores and 2600 employees located in New Jersey and New York. Nearly $900,000 has been collected by Vanguard to date for its clients, with other applications in process.

"We appreciate the support and guidance we received from Vanguard which enabled Quick Chek to promptly collect the Federal cash grant. Our solar installation is allowing us to further our commitment to conserving energy and protecting the environment," said Jim Smith, Quick Chek's Chief Financial Officer.

Alex Rivera, vice president of business development for Vanguard stated, "We are glad to assist our clients with deploying solar energy and efficiently monetizing their investments."

About Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC

Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC (www.vanguardenergypartners.com) designs and integrates large-scale solar electric systems for businesses, municipalities and utilities. With operating offices in New Jersey, New York 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 120 solar installations with 10 MW of DC rated capacity.

SOURCE Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC