By Kelsey Misbrener , Solar Power World
The Flemington Area Food Pantry, serving Hunterdon County, New Jersey, celebrated and unveiled their brand new solar array installation with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 18 at the Flemington Area Food Pantry.
This project was made possible by a collaborative donation effort amongst notable solar industry leaders and community volunteers, each supplying their individual components.
Among all of the parties who contributed to make the installation a reality, the pantry has one in particular to thank — North Hunterdon High School student, Evan Kuster.
“As a volunteer at the Food Pantry, I was aware that they had a significant electricity expense for their refrigerators and freezers and thought that solar energy could save their budget,” shared Kuster, North Hunterdon High School student, Class of 2022. “My dad works at a solar energy development company called Merit SI, and he suggested we ask for donations to fund the system.”
So the Kusters asked, and solar industry leaders responded. Rallying around their vision of impact, a full slate of project partners including First Solar, OMCO Solar, SMA America and Pro Circuit Electrical Contracting signed on to the project. Collectively, they donated an entire solar installation to the pantry, relieving an annual electricity bill of $10,556 (2019). Now, the new 33-kW system allows those funds to be allocated towards the purchase of food for their community — enough to prepare 6,360 meals.
Jeannine Gorman, executive director of the Flemington Area Food Pantry, emphasized the gravity of this new asset. “Every dollar we spend on our electric bill is one less dollar we can spend on food for the community,” said Gorman. “We carry out our mission on a daily basis; it’s so motivational for us to know that professionals care enough to donate their time, talent and supplies to help us continue to serve our community’s needs.”
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