The McGraw-Hill Companies and NJR Clean Energy (News - Alert) Ventures are planning to build the largest privately-owned, net-metered solar project in the Western Hemisphere – at 14.1 megawatts (MW) – on McGraw-Hill’s East Windsor, New Jersey, corporate campus.

The solar array is expected to produce 18 million kWh annually, eliminating approximately 12,687 metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions from the atmosphere per year – or the equivalent of removing the carbon dioxide emissions produced by approximately 2,488 cars.  

This clean power will significantly offset the need for other energy sources to run McGraw-Hill‘s offices in East Windsor, including the corporation’s growing data center.  The renewable energy produced by the project is expected to reduce the equivalent of about 10 percent of McGraw-Hill’s annual global carbon emissions and significantly cut the company’s long-term electricity costs.

“Our plan to use solar power underscores our commitment to green, sustainable business practices,” said Harold McGraw III, McGraw-Hill chairman, president, and CEO. “We are excited by the environmental benefits of using solar energy while helping us control costs, and we’re thrilled to once again have a fantastic partner in the East Windsor community, which has served as a focal point of our operations for nearly five decades.”

“To bring the largest privately-owned, net-metered solar system in the Western Hemisphere to New Jersey is an exciting opportunity,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of New Jersey Resources, the parent company of NJR Clean Energy Ventures, which invests in, owns and operates renewable clean energy. “Together with McGraw-Hill, we are making renewable energy, and the benefits it provides, a greater piece of our energy future. As a leader in the energy marketplace, NJRCEV will continue to look for new solar opportunities that are consistent with our core energy strategy and benefit our customers, company and state.”  

Mayor Janice Mironov stated, “East Windsor is excited about McGraw-Hill’s major initiative and the tremendous financial investment it represents in our township.  The project will generate jobs, help green our environment and enhance the competitive attraction of East Windsor as a home for much of McGraw-Hill’s prestigious operations.  We value the company and this is a great signal of McGraw-Hill’s commitment to remain, invest, and grow in East Windsor.”

NJRCEV will invest $60 million to develop and install the state-of-the-art, ground mount solar array on a 50-acre parcel on McGraw-Hill’s property adjacent to the corporation’s two office buildings, including its 180,000 square foot data center.

The system will be installed by Advanced Solar Products of Flemington, NJ with assistance from MVM Advisors LLC of New York City, a business advisory firm that helps clients “develop business strategies that mitigate risks and take advantage of opportunities associated with environmental and social issues.”

Advanced Solar Products’ ballasted racking system, manufactured in New Jersey, requires no ground penetrations making it more environmentally-friendly and McGraw-Hill intends to plant approximately 25 acres of trees to surround the solar panels. In total, McGraw-Hill currently operates approximately 900,000 square feet of building space on the site.

NJR expects that investments made by NJRCEV will qualify for a 30 percent federal investment tax credit. In addition, the energy produced will be eligible for Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), which can be sold to Load Serving Entities in New Jersey to meet their renewable energy requirements.  

The system is expected to be completed in two phases—with 50 percent of the capacity expected to be operational in December 2011; and the remaining 50 percent, in March 2012.

As a result of McGraw-Hill’s recent business practices, the Corporation has been listed on the 2010 Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, the FTSE4Good Index Series, and Newsweek’s Green Rankings.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.

Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell