Janssen has state’s largest rooftop solar energy system

Company’s system is comprised of 2,856 electric tiles that cover 40,000 square feet of the roof of the firm’s main building, located in the Titusville section of Hopewell Township.

By John Tredrea
   The largest solar energy rooftop system in New Jersey was dedicated at Janssen Pharmaceutica April 15, with state Bureau of Public Utilities (BPU) President Jeanne Fox, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley Campbell, Hopewell Township Mayor Fran Bartlett and other officials on hand for the ceremonies.
   Janssen’s system is comprised of 2,856 electric tiles that cover 40,000 square feet of the roof of the firm’s main building, located in the Titusville section of the township. If laid end-to-end, the tiles would stretch 2.5 miles.
   "Janssen and Johnson & Johnson’s decision to house New Jersey’s largest solar electric rooftop system sends a strong and clear message to the state, business community, environmentalists and consumers about their commitment to promoting renewable energy," Ms. Fox said during the dedication ceremony. "Renewable energy technologies, like solar and wind power, are vital components of the future of energy in New Jersey, which is why they are a priority for the governor and the BPU."
   As Ms. Fox noted, the Janssen rooftop system, which will use solar power to generate enough electricity for the daily needs of 600 homes, is the largest facility of its kind in New Jersey, and one of the largest in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Janssen is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Inc.
   Janssen estimates that, during the next 25 years, the system will prevent the emission of 4,940 tons of carbon dioxide, plus thousands of pounds of nitrogen oxide, that the use of fossil fuels would have produced. Not putting that amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is the equivalent of removing 1,000 cars from New Jersey’s roadways, Janssen says. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide contribute to smog, acid rain and global warming, scientists say.
   Diane Parks, Janssen’s vice president of administration and community affairs, said: "We have a responsibility to the communities in which we live and work. Our solar electric system is one way to ensure that we do our share to protect the environment."
   Solar electricity, or photovoltaics (PV), is a form of technology first used to power satellites in space. PV systems use silicon to convert sunlight into electricity. Transformers and other equipment convert the electricity generated by the PV rooftop system into electricity that can be used inside buildings.
   One of the main advantages of the solar PV system is that it operates at its peak capacity when demands on the utility grid and electrical costs are highest – that is, during daylight hours.
   The Janssen solar energy project was partially funded by New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, which contributed $1.5 million to the $3 million project. Janssen estimates the PV system will reduce by six percent energy consumption and operating costs at the pharmaceutical firm’s Hopewell Township facility.