A 9 megawatt Public Service Energy & Gas solar farm on the former Parklands Landfill was unanimously approved by the Bordentown Planning Board at a special meeting Feb. 5.
by David Kilby, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — A 9 megawatt Public Service Energy & Gas solar farm on the former Parklands Landfill was unanimously approved by the Bordentown Planning Board at a special meeting Feb. 5.
Paul Drake, project manager, noted that the landfill has been closed since 1989, and said such abandoned landfills are ideal for solar farms.
”This (site) was identified with several others (in the state) as one of the most suitable for this kind of facility,” Mr. Drake said.
In addition to the Planning Board’s review, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and Department of Environmental Protection, which owns the site, will also review the site plans before construction begins, he said.
The facility would have six inverters that convert the direct current, or DC power, from the solar panels to alternating current, or AC power. The solar farm would then feed the grid across Route 206, and feed PSE&G’s national network of grids.
The only lighting on the entire site would be on the inverters, which would come on only when someone came out for repairs, Mr. Drake explained.
”Normally there will be no one out there,” he said. “The facility is monitored remotely.”
The panels would be 3 feet from the ground and surrounded by a 7-foot fence that is already around the perimeter, left over from the former landfill.
”Essentially from Dunns Mill Road, you will not see the arrays,” Mr. Drake added.
Board members were concerned that emergency vehicles would not be able to maneuver on the site, and advised the PSE&G representatives to meet with fire officials before going forward, which they agreed to do.
Jason Tuvel, attorney for PSE&G, said that his client was not required to meet with fire officials before coming to the Planning Board for preliminary and final site approval.
Fred Turek, board engineer, said, “there is a little fear of the unknown,” when it comes to solar farms.
Mr. Drake assured him and the board that “the number one thing for our company is safety.”
But after being told that the gravel road through the facility would be 12 feet wide, Mr. Turek said he would never let any emergency apparatus go down a gravel road of that width.
Mr. Drake respond that there is certainly flexibility in the plan, and any of the 29,000 panels in the proposed facility can be easily moved if needed in the case of an emergency.
”From a planning standpoint, this (site) is well suited for this type of use,” he added.
Board members also asked if PSE&G could place a sidewalk or bicycle path along the road between the Bordentown Regional Middle School and the nearby Wawa, where the facility would be located. Mr. Tuvel said this isn’t a requirement for the site, since the facility would not increase pedestrian traffic.
Paul Morrison, project manager, said they would comply with the path request.
”We do take being a good neighbor very seriously,” Mr. Morrison said. “We’re going to be there for 20 years, so we want to make sure we’re welcome,” he added, referring to the 20-year contract they have to lease the site from the DEP.
The 45-acre footprint of the site, located at 1070 Route 206, is three times larger than the size of the next largest solar farm on a landfill in New Jersey, according to officials.
Mr. Morrison also said all wires would be above ground, but in a rigid steel conduit. He added that no accidents have been reported on PSE&G solar farms.
”Our biggest hazard has been golf balls, people who tee off and … say ‘Let’s see how many panels I can break,’” he said.
The site is maintained and monitored by the DEP, and although the township would not be receiving any tax income from the facility it won’t cost residents more in taxes either, said Lou Garty, board attorney.
The application was approved with an additional requirement that PSE&G complies with DEP regulations in regards to gravel roadways, Ms. Garty said.
The solar farm is on track to be completed by spring 2015.