JUNO BEACH, Fla., Feb. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy
Resources, LLC, announced the completion of a 1MW solar system on
the Sisters of St. Joseph campus in Brentwood, Long
Island, New York. The
system is expected to offset approximately 63 percent of the
current campus electricity needs.
"We're proud to partner with the Sisters of St. Joseph to supply
renewable energy to their campus," said Matt Handel, vice president of development for
NextEra Energy Resources. "By putting unused land to use
generating clean, cost-effective solar energy, the Sisters of St.
Joseph can achieve their sustainability goals and receive long-term
value from an abundant natural resource."
The ground-mounted fixed-array system, co-developed and
installed by Long Island-based
EmPower Solar is located on approximately five acres owned by the
Sisters of St. Joseph. In accordance with the Sisters of St.
Joseph's Sustainable Land Ethic Statement, a five-acre parcel
designated as degraded woodlands was chosen to host the array and a
new rain garden. More than 50 trees were saved from the
wooded area and were transplanted elsewhere on the property.
"The Sisters of St. Joseph are committed to the preservation of
all life on our planet and truly delighted to use some of our
sacred land to create a non-polluting, clean, reliable and
renewable source of energy," said Sister Helen Kearney, president of the Sisters of St.
Joseph. "As Sisters of St. Joseph, we have a 160-year tradition of
responding to the needs of the times, and this new solar array,
along with our other environmental initiatives in Brentwood, furthers our mission and balances
our communal needs and the needs of the Earth."
The Sisters of St. Joseph will purchase the electricity from the
solar project at a pre-determined rate over the term of a 25-year
power purchase agreement with a subsidiary of NextEra Energy
Resources, which will be responsible for maintenance and operation
of the system. The Sisters of St. Joseph estimate a potential
first-year savings of approximately $22,000, with further savings possible through
the years if traditional utility rates increase.
"We couldn't be prouder to have worked with the Sisters of St.
Joseph to further their Land Ethic Initiative," says David G. Schieren, CEO of EmPower Solar. "This
project demonstrates the power of effective stakeholder
collaboration and integrated sustainability planning needed for a
large scale project like this one. From the organic farms to the
acres of open space and preserved forests, this property is a
hidden gem and is now home to the town's largest solar array,"
added Schieren.
The system interconnects to PSEG Long Island, the local utility
company, which will provide net metering credits to the Sisters of
St. Joseph to offset their electric bill.
"With this new solar array, the Sisters of St. Joseph are living
their mission and helping to create a cleaner, greener, healthier
future for their community," said Michael
Voltz, director of energy efficiency and renewables, PSEG
Long Island. "By reducing their energy costs, the Sisters will be
able to direct the money they save every month toward other needs
within their ministry."
About NextEra Energy Resources
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (together with its affiliated
entities, "NextEra Energy Resources"), is a clean energy leader and
is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the
U.S., with approximately 19,990 megawatts of generating capacity,
which includes megawatts associated with noncontrolling interests
related to NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP), primarily in 29
states and Canada as of year-end
2016. NextEra Energy Resources, together with its affiliated
entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from
the wind and sun. The business operates clean, emissions-free
nuclear power generation facilities in New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra Energy
nuclear fleet, which is one of the largest in the United States. NextEra Energy Resources,
LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach,
Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more
information, visit www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
About Sisters of St. Joseph
Located in Brentwood, NY, The
Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) are the largest order of Catholic women
religious on Long Island with more
than 400 members, and have a 160-year tradition of ministering
wherever they are needed including the Dioceses of Brooklyn and Rockville Centre, and the New York
Archdioceses. United with all who minister with them, they seek to
bring God's healing and reconciling love to all through their work
in education, health care, social justice, spirituality, empowering
women and girls, and environmental conservation.
The motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood includes 212 acres of land, some
still pristine, acquired more than 100 years ago within the
bioregion of Long Island. The
Sisters affirmed a Land Ethic Statement on March 21, 2015 and, in response to the statement,
members of the congregation have formed new partnerships on
Long Island, gathered information
about the Long Island bioregion,
implemented new initiatives, and continued current ecological
projects. For more information about the Sisters, please visit
www.brentwoodcsj.org.
About SunPower by EmPower Solar
EmPower Solar provides customized residential and commercial
solar energy solutions in New York
City and on Long Island.
EmPower Solar delivers superior solar and battery technology,
maximum savings and exceptional customer service.
Since 2003, SunPower by EmPower Solar has been the preferred
solar provider of over 1,800 New Yorkers earning an
industry-leading customer satisfaction rating. In joining
forces with SunPower Corporation, one of the world's most
innovative and sustainable energy companies, EmPower leverages 30
years of industry experience and record-setting technology.
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SOURCE NextEra Energy Resources, LLC