• Construction began in January 2012
• Commercial operation is expected in Q4 2012
• Includes approximately 90,000 crystalline-silicon solar panels on a single-axis tracking system
• 135-acre site
• Owner is PSEG Solar
• Annual generation 54,000 MWh
• juwi will operate and maintain the project in the initial years

CIS modules to serve PSE&G customers

Submitted on 04/03/12, 06:54 AM

Santa Clara, Calif., April 2, 2012 – Solar Frontier announced today that it has supplied modules to a 3.8 megawatt (MW) installation for Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electricity utility. Solar Frontier supplied approximately 29,400 CIS thin-film solar modules to the Mill Creek Solar Farm in Burlington County, New Jersey. The solar farm is part of PSE&G’s Solar 4 All™ program and was developed, designed, and built by juwi solar Inc (JSI).

The Mill Creek Solar Farm will provide enough emission-free electricity to power about 575 average-size homes. The project illustrates PSE&G’s commitment to solar power and the ever-growing significance of CIS technology in the industry. The Mill Creek Solar Farm is the largest project of any thin-film solar technology in the state.

“This is another milestone for Solar Frontier in the U.S. market,” said Greg Ashley, COO of Solar Frontier Americas. “With juwi’s experience, expertise and proven track record, Solar Frontier has all the more confidence in providing economical and ecological solar energy in large-scale solar photovoltaic projects like this PSE&G project in New Jersey.”

“We are proud to have worked closely with Solar Frontier on its first deployment of modules to a large-scale utility project in the U.S.,” said Michael Martin, CEO of juwi solar. “We firmly believe performance will meet or exceed our clients’ expectations and look forward to a continued relationship with Solar Frontier on future installations.”

“A main objective of our Solar 4 All program was to help develop a strong solar industry,” said Al Matos, vice president, renewables and energy solutions, PSE&G. “By partnering with a wide range of companies like juwi solar and Solar Frontier, we are helping businesses take root and grow, creating jobs and helping New Jersey to meet its renewable energy goals.”

PSE&G owns and manages the Mill Creek Solar Farm through its nationally recognized Solar 4 All program that will develop 80 megawatts of solar energy in New Jersey– enough power to serve about 13,000 average-sized homes. In addition to increasing the amount of solar capacity in the state, Solar 4 All also creates jobs and helps to make New Jersey a center for solar power in the country.

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• Construction began in October, 2011
• Commercial operation occurred in December, 2011
• Includes 2,112 c-Si solar panels on a horizontal single-axis tracker
• 4 acre site

• Construction began in August, 2011.
• Commercial operation occurred in December, 2011
• Includes 29,400 ground-mounted, thin-film solar panels on 25 acres

The project is expected to generate about 5,500 megawatt-hours of zero-emissions electricity each year, which is enough to power approximately 600 average-size New Jersey homes.   According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates, this amount of solar electricity generation will also offset approximately 2,900 tons of greenhouse gas pollution per year — the equivalent of taking more than 600 cars off the road each year.

“juwi solar is proud to have worked with PSE&G to help it meets its solar energy goals under the Solar 4 All program,” said Michael Martin, CEO of juwi solar Inc. “By  providing competitively-priced projects of exceptional quality, juwi continues its role as a leader in the utility-scale solar industry.”

The Mill Creek Solar Farm is JSI’s second completed solar project in New Jersey and its first to be built on behalf of PSE&G.  JSI has also built three projects in the United States for PSE&G’s non-utility affiliate PSEG Solar Source and has commenced construction on a fourth project for PSEG Solar Source in Queen Creek, Arizona.

“New Jersey has some of the most aggressive solar goals in the country and in a very short time we have become a leading state for solar development,” said Al Matos, Vice President – Renewables and Energy Solutions for PSE&G.  “Our Solar 4 All program is helping the state reach these goals by partnering with experienced developers like juwi to build projects like the Mills Creek Solar Farm.”

About juwi solar Inc.

juwi solar Inc. (JSI), based in Boulder, Colorado, specializes in developing, building and operating utility-scale solar energy generation facilities in North America.  JSI is majority-owned by juwi Holding AG of Germany. With over 600 employees worldwide, juwi’s solar group has built more than 1,500 solar photovoltaic installations globally, totaling more than 950MW of operating capacity.

The Cactus Garden solar project is the second solar photovoltaic (PV) project built by juwi solar on Mars-owned property.  The project consists of over 2,000 crystalline silicon modules affixed to single axis trackers that track the movement of the sun.  The project is expected to generate approximately 1,258 megawatt-hours of zero-emissions electricity per year, offsetting about 825 tons of greenhouse gas pollution annually– the equivalent of taking more than ­­­­170 cars off the road each year.

“Turning one of the desert’s greatest assets into energy is in complete alignment with Mars’ Principles in Action, our core business values,” said Mack Phillips, site director of the Henderson plant.  “Two years ago we unveiled a similar solar project at our North American headquarters in Hackettstown, NJ, and its impact on our operations has been substantial.”

BYD, a leading diversified technology company, supplied the solar modules for the project. JSI’s selection of BYD was based in part on BYD’s experience in deploying a wide spectrum of renewable energy solutions around the world, including solar modules, battery storage systems and electric vehicles.

“BYD is very pleased to work with juwi solar on one of the first major solar farms in the US using BYD’s high-efficiency, polycrystalline PV technology.  We are pleased that they recognized our high quality and reliability as well as our bankability and chose BYD panels for this projects”, said Stella Li, BYD Senior Vice President

Although JSI has developed and built large-scale solar projects in several states around the country, the Cactus Garden solar facility represents the first facility that JSI will own in the United States on a long-term basis.

“This project demonstrates one of the more fitting matches in the solar industry by combining Mars’ industry-leading commitments to environmental and sustainability matters with our expertise in desiging and building high quality solar projects, ” said Michael Martin, chief executive officer of juwi solar. “We are proud to celebrate this project with our business partners in Nevada, where our facility will be replacing brown power with green energy at predictable, cost-effective rates.”

About juwi solar Inc.

juwi solar Inc. (JSI), based in Boulder, Colorado, specializes in developing, building and operating utility-scale solar energy generation facilities in North America.  JSI is majority-owned by juwi Holding AG of Germany. With over 600 employees worldwide, juwi’s solar group has built more than 1,500 solar photovoltaic installations globally, totaling more than 700MW of operating capacity.

The project’s completion was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting event attended by state and local government officials, executives from NV Energy, juwi solar Inc. (JSI), and Mars Chocolate North America leaders.

“At Mars Chocolate North America, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the world,” said Mike Wittman, vice president of supply. “We are proud of the investments we are making to ensure we are using the earth’s resources responsibly. This newest solar garden moves us closer to our goals of eliminating our carbon footprint at our sites by 2040 and using 100 percent renewable energy.”

The new Ethel M factory solar garden features 2,112 ground-mounted solar panels on 4.4 acres, and is the largest solar installation by a food manufacturer in Nevada. The installation generates 1,258 megawatt hours of zero-emission electricity each year, offsetting 867 metric tons of greenhouse gas – the equivalent of removing approximately 170 vehicles from the road. The project will generate as much energy as 115 Nevada households use annually.

Mars will purchase all of the energy generated by the solar garden and JSI will own the project and its associated energy credits. Mars worked closely with NV Energy to ensure that the new installation met net metering requirements, enabling Mars to receive energy offsets from the utility based on the amount of energy their solar panels will produce.

“Turning one of the desert’s greatest assets into energy is in complete alignment with Mars’ Principles in Action, our core business values,” said Mack Phillips, site director of the Henderson plant. “Two years ago we unveiled a similar solar project at our North American headquarters in Hackettstown, NJ, and its impact on our operations has been substantial.”

“This is the second solar PV project built by juwi solar on Mars-owned property,” said Michael Martin, CEO of JSI. “We are proud to play a role in advancing environmental and sustainability goals by replacing the grid’s brown power with green power generated onsite.”

The solar garden is adjacent to the chocolate factory and Ethel M’s Botanical Cactus Garden. A vista point located within the Botanical Cactus Garden will allow the more than 700,000 annual visitors to view the new solar facility.

“We are fortunate to have been a part of the Henderson and Las Vegas community for more than 30 years,” said Phillips. “We hope the completion of our solar garden demonstrates our continuing commitment to be an environmentally friendly citizen. Our goal is that every business decision we make will have a positive effect on people and the planet through our performance. This project achieves all three.”

About Mars Chocolate North America
Mars Chocolate North America is the North American chocolate operations of Mars, Incorporated. In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY� bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the philosophy of a “mutuality of benefits” for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated we are today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience. More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.

Mars brands include: Chocolate – M&M’S�, SNICKERS�, DOVE�, GALAXY�, MARS�, MILKY WAY� and TWIX�; Petcare – PEDIGREE�, WHISKAS�, SHEBA�, CESAR� and ROYAL CANIN�; Wrigley – ORBIT�, EXTRA�, STARBURST�, DOUBLEMINT� and SKITTLES�; Food – UNCLE BEN’S�, DOLMIO�, EBLY�, MASTERFOODS� and SEEDS OF CHANGE�; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS(TM), THE BRIGHT TEA CO.(TM), KLIX� and FLAVIA�; Symbioscience -SERAMIS�, CIRKU(TM) and COCOAVIA(TM).

For more information, please visit www.mars.com .

About Ethel M Chocolates
Ethel M Chocolates are manufactured and sold by the Mars Retail Group, dedicated to creating authentic chocolates with no preservatives. Ethel M Chocolates are available in seven locations throughout Southern Nevada, online at www.EthelM.com or by phone at (800) 471-0352 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (800) 471-0352 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America

PSEG Solar Source has bought a 25.2MW solar project in Arizona from juwi solar for US$75 million.

Construction work on the PSEG Queen Creek Solar Farm, which is being carried out by juwi, is expected to begin in January and finish in Q3. The 158-acre site, located 30 miles southeast of Phoenix, will be equipped with crystalline panels and a single-axis tracking system.

Last September, the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District signed a 20-year power purchase agreement to buy all the electricity generated by the plant. In addition to EPC duties, juwi is also in charge of Queen Creek’s operation and maintenance.

This is the fourth and largest PV plant PSEG Solar Source has purchased to date. The three other systems in its portfolio are the 15MW Jacksonville Solar Farm, 12MW Wyandot Solar Farm and 2.2MW Mars Solar Garden.

“juwi solar is proud to have closed its fourth deal in the United States with PSEG Solar Source, a company that is well-established in the utility-scale solar market,” juwi solar CEO Michael Martin said. “Our project development efforts for the Queen Creek project have been a great success, and we now look forward to building and operating a project in one of the most exciting solar markets in the United States.”

Read More ]]> http://www.juwisolar.com/pseg-solar-source-buys-25mw-solar-park-from-juwi/feed/ 0 http://www.juwisolar.com/pseg-solar-source-purchases-25-2-mw-solar-project-in-arizona-from-juwi/ http://www.juwisolar.com/pseg-solar-source-purchases-25-2-mw-solar-project-in-arizona-from-juwi/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:38:32 +0000 jen http://www.juwisolar.com/?p=1202 Queen Creek project to start construction early in 2012, be completed 3rd quarter 2012

(January 11, 2012 – Newark, NJ) – PSEG Solar Source today completed the acquisition of a 25.2 MW DC (19 MW AC) solar project developed by juwi solar Inc. The PSEG Queen Creek Solar Farm is expected to begin construction in January 2012 and be completed in the 3rd quarter of 2012.  The project will be located on158 acres of land approximately 30 miles southeast of Phoenix Arizona.  PSEG Solar Source paid approximately $75 million for the project.

The PSEG Queen Creek Solar Farm will use crystalline panels and a single axis tracking system.  In September 2011, the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District entered into a long term power purchase agreement to acquire all of the solar energy generated by the project for 20 years.

Under separate agreements, juwi solar Inc. will engineer, procure, and construct the facility as well as perform operation and maintenance services for the project.  The project will be owned by PSEG Solar Source, a subsidiary of PSEG, a diversified energy company based in New Jersey.

“PSEG Solar Source is pleased to add the PSEG Queen Creek Solar Farm to our portfolio of high quality solar projects,” said Diana Drysdale, president of PSEG Solar Source. “PSEG Solar Source will continue to seek opportunities throughout the US to provide clean, emissions-free solar energy and to help states meet their solar and renewable targets.”

“juwi solar is proud to have closed its fourth deal in the United States with PSEG Solar Source, a company that is well-established in the utility-scale solar market,” said Michael Martin, CEO of juwi solar Inc. “Our project development efforts for the Queen Creek project have been a great success, and we now look forward to building and operating a project in one of the most exciting solar markets in the United States.”

This is the fourth solar project for PSEG Solar Source.  It currently owns:

• The PSEG Wyandot Solar farm – a 12.0 MW DC solar farm in Wyandot, Ohio

• The PSEG Jacksonville Solar Farm – a 15.0 MW DC solar farm on 100 acres in Jacksonville, Florida

• The Mars Solar Garden – a 2.2 MW DC facility located adjacent to the Mars Snackfood’s US headquarters in New Jersey

PSEG Solar Source is one of two PSEG subsidiaries active in solar energy.  PSEG’s regulated gas and electric utility in New Jersey, PSE&G, currently owns 52 MW of solar in New Jersey, consisting of 18 solar farms and more than 150,000 pole attached solar panels.  In addition PSE&G is administering a $105 million solar loan program.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

The statements contained in this communication about our and our subsidiaries’ future performance, including, without limitation, future revenues, earnings, strategies, prospects, consequences and all other statements that are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance they will be achieved. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what may actually occur. A discussion of some of these risks and uncertainties is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These documents address in further detail our business, industry issues and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in this communication.  Forward looking statements made in this communication only apply as of this date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements from time to time, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our internal estimates change, unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws.

About PSEG:

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of more than $13 billion, and three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). PSEG Energy Holdings has two main unregulated energy-related businesses: PSEG Global and PSEG Resources. PSEG Solar Source LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of PSEG Global.  It was formed to develop, construct, own and operate large-scale solar facilities outside of the PSE&G’s regulated service area. For more information on PSEG please go to PSEG.com

Disclaimer: PSEG Solar Source LLC is not the same company as PSE&G, the New Jersey based electric and gas utility.  PSEG Solar Source is not regulated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.  You do not have to purchase any PSEG Solar Source products in order to receive quality regulated services from PSE&G.

About juwi solar Inc.:

juwi solar Inc. (JSI) is based in Boulder, Colorado and specializes in developing, building and operating utility-scale solar energy generation facilities in North America.  JSI is majority-owned by juwi Holding AG of Germany, whose solar subsidiaries have built more than 1,500 solar PV projects around the world — totaling 700MW of installed capacity.  (http://www.juwisolar.com).

The utility signed a 20-year power-purchase agreement with Juwi Solar Inc. The company is based in Boulder, Colo., and its majority owner is Juwi Holding AG of Germany, with minority owners in the U.S.

Combined with another solar- power plant yet to be announced, SRP has nearly enough renewable energy under development to meet its alternative-energy goals through about 2017, officials said.

SRP issued a request for proposals last year for as much as 50 megawatts of solar power to be operational by late 2012 and another 50 megawatts to be online by late 2013, said Chico Hunter, SRP principal analyst for resource planning and development.

The 19-megawatt deal with Juwi (pronounced you-we) is the utility’s selection for the first part of that request for proposals.

One megawatt of energy capacity is enough electricity to power about 250 homes at once, or in the case of a solar-power plant, while the sun is shining directly on it.

SRP still has to announce a winner or winners of the second portion of its request for proposals. The company received about 100 responses to its requests for solar plants, including multiple offers from some companies, Hunter said.

SRP does not disclose the price of its power-purchase agreements.

“We evaluated the projects on a number of criteria,” Hunter said. “Most important was price. (Juwi’s was) one of the lowest-cost projects. We also looked at experience and financial strength.”

Tempe-based First Solar Inc. had a deal to purchase nearly $10million worth of land in the far East Valley from Mesa as part of its response to SRP for solar projects, which the city disclosed in August.

It is unclear if First Solar remains in the running for the SRP projects and whether that land sale will proceed now that Juwi has been selected for the first phase of the SRP request for proposals.

“We are in negotiations with other projects,” Hunter said, adding that SRP has non-disclosure agreements with all the companies that provided proposals.

First Solar spokesman Alan Bernheimer said the company maintains an option on the Mesa land.

Juwi does not make solar panels but develops, builds and operates solar plants with panels from various companies.

It has often used panels from First Solar in the past for its solar plants, and the companies co-sponsor an amateur U.S. road-cycling team. But Seth Kassels, Juwi’s director of project management, could not say what kind of solar panels will be used for the Queen Creek project.

Bernheimer declined to say whether First Solar will supply panels to Juwi for Queen Creek.

The plant will mount solar panels on a single-axis tracker that allows them to face the sun for more hours of the day than stationary solar panels, Kassels said. A variety of companies, including First Solar, use such trackers.

Juwi has a lease at the northeastern corner of Crismon and Queen Creek roads on about 140 acres of land that currently is farmed, and the town recently approved a zoning change to allow the power plant, Kassels said.

SRP officials have set a goal to meet 20percent of the municipal utility’s demand for electricity with conservation and renewable sources like solar and wind by 2020. It meets about 7percent of its demand with those sources now, exceeding its goal, which increases each year until 2020.

With two wind farms being developed in the Seligman area, a new 20-megawatt solar array in Florence and another solar project or two that will come from its request for proposals, the company should meet its goals until about 2017, depending on how much electricity demand grows, Hunter said.

He said SRP is in negotiations for renewable power that was not put out in a public request for proposals and could announce a project from those discussions, but otherwise won’t need more renewable projects until 2017 or so with those that are now under development.

“A lot of that depends on when the housing market will come back,” he said. “That is really what dictates our resource planning.”

SRP will not own any of those power projects because, as a municipal utility, it cannot take advantage of federal tax credits and other incentives that can cover 30percent of their costs. So, SRP signs long-term deals to purchase the power from the plants while companies such as Juwi own them.

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