Longwood Gardens of Kennett Square, PA has made an institutional commitment to install 1.5 MW of photovoltaic power, providing approximately 18% of the international tourist destination’s electricity. The grid-tied installation, consisting of two ground-mount arrays, will reduce Longwood’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 1,367 tons and produce enough electricity to power over 1000 homes. groSolar worked close with Longwood Gardens to incorporate the solar modules into the natural beauty and landscape at the site.

groSolar provided the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the solar installation.  The system output is purchased through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).  A third party owns the solar equipment and will sell the power produced to Longwood Gardens.  The installation is being funded in part by a $1.3 million Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection grant.  The Motech modules used in this installation are U.S. made, manufactured in Delaware just miles from the Longwood Gardens facility.

“We need to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels,” says Paul Redman, Director of Longwood Gardens.  “We are fortunate to have the space to do this, but we know we have to be sensitive to the aesthetics of the project.”  The installation is phase one of a two-phase project.  Longwood’s goal is to install a total of 3 MW of solar power by 2018, which will provide approximately 70% of its total electricity needs.

“Longwood Gardens’ decision to install solar power reinforces its commitment to environmental sustainability.  groSolar is proud to partner with Longwood on this landmark project, which will not only benefit Longwood Gardens, but this installation will educate the 900,000 plus tourists who visit the gardens every year on the benefits of solar electricity.  We’re thrilled Longwood Gardens chose groSolar to design and install this system,” says Jeff Wolfe, groSolar Founder.

Longwood Gardens received both the Diamond Award Certificate in the Water and Storm Water category from the American Council of Engineering Companies’ (ACEC) Pennsylvania Chapter  and an Honorable Mention as an Outstanding Project by the Philadelphia Chapter of the PA Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE).