A former paper mill in Holland is now home to a 17-megawatt solar project, thanks to a collaboration among CEP Renewables, CS Energy and NJR Clean Energy Ventures.  

Previously a contaminated brownfield, the site now houses a fixed-tilt solar array, which was constructed in two phases and will be the source of carbon-free, clean energy and increased tax revenue for the local municipality, CEP announced Feb. 21. 

“We’re pleased to leverage our extensive experience with redeveloping Superfund and brownfield sites to turn this previously contaminated property into a source of solar energy, jobs and tax revenue,” CEP Executive Vice President Chris Ichter said in a statement. “We were able to efficiently overcome the unique challenges this site posed by working closely with the property owner and the EPC, CS Energy, at every stage of the project.” 

CEP, based in Red Bank, said those challenges included the permitting and construction of a second phase of the project overlapping with the first. Also, the array had to be built around a historic farmhouse and powerhouse on the property. 

“By repurposing brownfields and other underutilized spaces to produce clean, renewable energy, CEV is helping to deliver clean energy innovations that drive emission reduction goals and power a more sustainable future,” said NJR Clean Energy Ventures Vice President Robert Pohlman. 

Michael Dillon, director of operations at CS Energy – an engineering, procurement and construction renewable energy firm based in Edison – added, “We are glad to have had the opportunity to work alongside CEP Renewables on another impactful brownfield solar project. The completed redevelopment of this property now generates clean energy for the state and additional tax revenue for the local municipality.” 

On Feb. 15, Gov. Phil Murphy announced accelerated climate goals for the state, including 100% clean energy by 2035, moved up from the previous goal of 2050. 

The Holland site once housed the Hughesville Paper Mill, which closed in 2003, a CEP representative told NJBIZ. The property owner enlisted CEP, which specializes in decommissioning former industrial sites, to redevelop the land. The property was then remediated, deed restricted and covered with an engineering control, CEP said. 

Wall-based NJR Clean Energy Ventures, one of the largest solar owner/operators in New Jersey, acquired the Holland project from CEP in 2021. 

The companies are no stranger to collaboration, having completed or launched several projects in the past few months, including: 

• The largest solar project in North America, located on a former landfill in Mount Olive, which recently began supplying power; and
• The 10-megawatt BEMS community solar landfill project on the Big Hill Landfill in Southampton.