The largest floating solar farm in North America is now online
S. Himmelstein | June 16, 2023The largest floating solar array in North America, consisting of 16,510 solar panels, is now operational in Short Hills, New Jersey. The 8.9 MW solar array turns 17 acres of unutilized space on the Canoe Brook reservoir into a source of clean energy sufficient to power 1,400 homes annually and provide approximately 95% of the power needs for New Jersey American Water’s Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant, which produces 14 million gallons of drinking water a day. 
Source: CEV
The facility owned and operated by NJR Clean Energy Ventures (CEV) uses an innovative racking system that enables the panels to float on water. Built mostly on man-made lakes or reservoirs, floating solar projects turn beneficial use space into renewable energy and are deemed increasingly important in densely populated areas, such as New Jersey.
In addition to providing sustainable, clean energy, the array provides other benefits. The solar power produced is equal to removing 8,121 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere compared to traditional power sources. Floating solar panels can also help reduce evaporation, which protects the water source and benefits the environment.
From pvbuzz.com:
"The financial details of the New Jersey solar facility were not disclosed by either company. However, Robert Pohlman, vice president of NJR Clean Energy Ventures, emphasized the project’s soundness for both organizations."
Why won't they disclose the cost of this project?? So much for transparency. Are the taxpayers or ratepayers of the water district on the hook for this? When officials hide the data, The People should be VERY suspicious.
In reply to #2
Since those are two private companies, a real right wing capitalist would say, 'none of my business '. Unless they were going to say the same thing about all private companies...
In reply to #3
Private companies might be the case, but if taxpayer dollars are involved, then there must be transparency. And you can bet your bottom dollar, if it's "green", the taxpayer is helping foot the bill.
In reply to #4
Additionally, a real right wing capitalist would say that the taxpayer is also footing the bill for the truly astronomical tax breaks, carve outs, etc that have been needlessly given to the brown and black energy industries, for roughly a century. (single example: Why are there 'depletion allowance' tax breaks, if resources are unlimited?)
In reply to #5
What about all those needless tax breaks for parents and homeowners?
In reply to #6
Indeed; what about them has anything to do with taxpayers subsidizing fossil fuel industries?
In reply to #7
How much money does the government pay out to the fossil fuel industries? This is one of the biggest lies of the left.