Largest solar energy site in Western Hemisphere approved by township planning board
EAST WINDSOR — The McGraw-Hill Companies and NJR Clean Energy Ventures, a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources, have recently announced plans to build in the township the largest solar energy site of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.
As previously reported in the Herald, the solar energy site will be constructed at McGraw-Hill’s campus in the township.
It’s the largest privately-owned, net-metered solar project will be completed in two phases, according to a press release from McGraw-Hill. 50 percent of the capacity is expected to be operational in December 2011, and the remaining 50 percent is expected to be operational in March 2012.
The McGraw Hill solar array proposal received final approval from the township planning board and a resolution memorializing the decision was passed the planning board on June 13.
”East Windsor is excited about McGraw-Hill’s major initiative and the tremendous financial investment it represents in our township,” said Mayor Janice Mironov. “The project will generate jobs, help green our environment and enhance the competitive attraction of East Windsor as a home for much of McGraw-Hill’s prestigious operations. We value the company and this is a great signal of McGraw-Hill’s commitment to remain, invest and grow in East Windsor.”
The solar array is expected to produce 18 million kWh annually, eliminating approximately 12,687 metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions from the atmosphere per year or the equivalent of removing the carbon dioxide emissions produced by approximately 2,488 cars, the release said.
NJRCEV will invest $60 million to develop and install the state-of-the-art, ground mount solar array on a 50-acre parcel on McGraw-Hill’s property adjacent to the Corporation’s two office buildings, including the Corporation’s 180,000 square foot data center. McGraw-Hill intends to plant approximately 25 acres of trees to surround the solar panels, the release said. In total, McGraw-Hill currently operates approximately 900,000 square feet of building space on the site.
The data center, which opened in 2008, is the central hub of the corporation’s global computing needs and is using increasing amounts of electricity to deliver more of McGraw-Hill’s digital products around the world, including Standard & Poor’s RatingsDirect; Connect, McGraw-Hill’s popular teaching and learning platform for higher education; and Platts’ price assessments for liquefied natural gas.
The solar installation at McGraw-Hill is the latest commercial project announced by NJRCEV. The company has already announced an investment of nearly $36 million in rooftop and ground mount solar systems in Monmouth and Middlesex counties with a capacity of 7.5 megawatts.
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global financial information and education company that helps professionals and students succeed in the knowledge economy, according to the press release.. Sales in 2010 were $6.2 billion, the press release said.
Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.
For more information about NJR, visit www.njliving.com.
— Jen Samuel, Managing Editor

