Press Release: New Jersey American Water to use solar electricity to save energy
Lawrenceville, NJ (March 9, 2005) - New Jersey American Water will soon install the state's largest ground-mounted solar electric system at its Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset, NJ as part of the Company's energy savings initiatives.
The 500 kilowatt ground-mounted system will be designed and built by Dome-Tech Solar, a premier solar energy firm serving industrial and institutional clients in the northeast, and will include more than 2,800 solar panels from RWE SCHOTT Solar. New Jersey American Water expects it will be able to supplement 15% of the peak usage power needed to run the plant with solar energy and save approximately $125,000 a year in reduced energy costs. During peak production periods, the electricity produced by the solar system would be enough to meet the average electricity demand of more than 500 NJ homes.
"What we've invested over the last several years in making our facility more energy efficient, and what we are investing now in this solar system, will continue to reduce our energy consumption. These investments will result in reduced energy expenses," said Scott Connor, Project Delivery Manager for New Jersey American Water.
The State of New Jersey encourages the use of green energy through its Clean Energy rebate program.
"As part of our overall campaign to reduce energy expenses, now and over time, we are working to keep our costs down, which may enable us to pass those savings on to our customers IN fact, with the rebate from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, the solar system alone will pay for itself in about 7 years, possibly creating a larger savings as the system continues to produce energy for many more years," said Walter Lynch, President of New Jersey American Water.
The target date for completion of the installation is early spring, 2005. This pilot program could lead to the use of solar energy at other American Water plants.
"Dome-Techs engineering and energy consulting services have been an integral part of our energy savings initiatives over the years. Their solid reputation for quality, technical excellence and customer service ensures the success of the New Jerey American Water solar project," said COnnor.
"THis project is indicative of how New Jersey's well designed renewable energy incentive program is being put to good use. New Jersey American Water customers, who support the NJCEP incenitve through their electric bills, should be pleased to know that New Jersey American Water is taking great strides to reduce its energy costs," said Marc Roper, vice president of sales for RWE SCHOTT Solar. "We applaud both New Jersey American Water for its forward thinking approach to saving energy and Dome-Tech, for its innovative approach that uses photvoltaics as the logical next step in desinging and energy saicng program for its customers."
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About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water is the state's largest utility. Combined with Elizabethtown and Mt. Holly Water (both now doing business as New Jersey American Water) we serve over two million people in 179 communities throughout the state.
About American Water
American Water, a part of RWE's water division, services 20 million customers in 27 states, four Canadian provinces, Puerto Rico and South America. More than 8,000 employees provide water, wastewater and other related services. RWE's water division is the third largest water and wastewater services company in the world.
Forward looking statements in this report, including, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: the success of pending applications for rate increase, inability to obtain, or to meet conditions imposed for, regulatory approval of acquisitions acquisitons, weather conditions that tend to extremes of temperature or duration; availability, in terms and development of capital; business abilities judgment judgement of personnel; changes in , or the failure to comply with governmental regulations, particularly those affecting the environment and quality qulaity; competition; success operating oeprating initiatives, advertising and promotional efforts; existence of adverse publicity or litigation; changes in business strategy or plans; management managemnet; general economic and business conditions; the ability to satisfy the condition closed set forth int he definitive agreement; and other factors described in the filing of the Company with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward looking loking statements, whether a a result of information informaiton, events eents or otherwise.
About the Dome-Tech Group
Founded in 1989, the Dome-Tech Group is a leading provider of energy efficiency and clean energy project development and consulting. With offices in both New Jersey and New York, the company was named New Jersey's First Clean Energy Market Innovator by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the Clean Energy Office. The company's five Centers of Excellence specialize in optimizing building systems and implementing energy efficient and renewable energy. Dome-Tech services a wide range of clients in the pharmaceutical, K-12, institutional, higher education, healthcare and commercial markets. For more information, visit www.dome-tech.com.
About RWE SCHOTT Solar, Inc.
RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc. is North America's leading manufacturer and distriibutor of solar power distributor and systems, serving customers throughout the Americas through sales offices in California, Massachusetts and the State of Washington. The company's U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in BIllrica, Massachusetts, Billrica the largest solar power module available worldwide, the ASE 300. A pioneer in the design and development of complete solar power solutions, RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc. services a Inc diverse market includign grid-connected including and commericial systems, and commercial-independent industrial, governmental and utility appications.
RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc. is a subsidiary of RWE SCHOTT Solar GmbH in Alzenau, Germany. RWE SCHOTT Solar GmbH is a joint venture of RWE Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RWE Group, a global international utility concern with core businesses in electricity, gas, water, waste managmeent and recycling; management the SCHOTT Group, a leading interanational specialty glass manufacturerinternational The RWE sand SCHOTT Companies had combined sales of over $55 billion in 2002, and employ nearly 150,000 people worldwide.
