Plankton Energy, a solar energy developer based in New York, recently activated a 600-kW rooftop solar system for Sportika, a New Jersey-based sports facility.
The system was energized in late 2022 and is expected to supply 100 percent of the facility’s electricity needs each year, generating around 800 MWh of solar power annually. This move is set to save Sportika more than $1.3 million in electricity costs and avoid over 3,580 metric tons of CO2 emissions over the system’s lifetime.
The project was made possible through New Jersey’s Solar Transition Incentive Program, which provides financial incentives to facilitate the deployment of clean energy.
“As a premier indoor sports and recreation facility, Sportika was intent on joining the clean energy movement, but it was an endeavor worthy of holding out for the right partner,” said Frances Ramirez, Director of Finance and Administration at Sportika. “Plankton Energy’s dedication to making clean energy attainable for small businesses and community-based organizations made them the right choice for us.”
Sportika, which opened in 2017, features one of the largest indoor turf fields in New Jersey, seven full high school regulation basketball courts and four futsal/volleyball courts. The facility also houses an academic center, Sportika Brainstorm.
The state of New Jersey’s businesses and governments have been embracing distributed energy resources such as rooftop solar as of late. Contractor Solar Landscape installed 562 kW of rooftop panels for commercial real estate firm J.G. Petrucci Co. at tenant L&R Distributors’ warehouse in Monroe Township.
Last year, Luminace developed a 5.4-MW solar array for Brookdale Community College at its Lincroft and Wall campuses.
