True Green Capital begins construction of solar energy project at military base in New Jersey, US

True Green Capital has started construction of a new 16.5MW solar energy project at a mission-critical, tri-service military base in Central New Jersey, US.

Built at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL), the new solar project will be located on 98 acres of land on Fort Dix that True Green Capital controls under a 40-year ground lease.

Set to be the largest military solar installation in the Northeast, the project has been developed in close coordination with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the JB MDL Environmental Restoration Program. 

US Air Force Installations Environment and Energy assistant secretary Miranda Ballentine said: “This project demonstrates the innovative pathways our Airmen and civilians are taking to strengthen mission assurance through energy assurance.

“The revenue generated by this solar project, built on a closed landfill, will provide critical funds dedicated to JB MDL's energy assurance plan. I applaud the installation's leaders and support staff for their creativity and persistence to bring this project to fruition.”

Part of the US Air Force’s Enhanced Use Lease programme, the project comprises of approximately 50,844 solar panels and will produce 21,315MWh of renewable energy every year, enough to power over 2,500 homes.

It is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 15,000 metric tons, which is the equivalent of taking 3,000 cars off the road.

True Green Capital and its affiliates will build, own and operate the project, in partnership with The Conti Group, of Edison, New Jersey.