Value Delivered
Forest Electric New Jersey (Forest NJ) installed a 500-kilowatt photovoltaic system that covers the roof of two buildings on Merck’s Rahway campus. At the time of completion, it was the largest roof-mounted solar installation in the state of New Jersey. Thanks to Forest NJ ensuring that the project met all requirements for New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, Merck qualified for millions of dollars in rebates.
Over the anticipated 30-year life of the solar equipment, Merck will be able to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 3,430 tons (the equivalent of 7,250 barrels of oil) by taking advantage of power from the sun. The project was such a resounding success that Merck has called this system a “prototype” for other New Jersey companies and a benchmark for all other Merck facilities.
Client Objectives
Merck sought to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and to promote alternative energy.
Solutions
The solar array was placed on the roof of two Merck buildings and included more than 1,500 panels. One of the buildings Forest NJ installed solar panels on was already powered by a 200- kilowatt fuel cell. This “clean energy” building combines the use of both solar panels and a fuel cell, making it the first of its kind at a pharmaceutical company in New Jersey.
Merck’s pollution-free building is nearly self-sufficient in producing the electricity it needs, with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions. Forest NJ’s solar installation provides Merck with a long-term solution to dramatically reduce their energy spending.
Client Background
Merck & Co. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs.