Port Newark Container Terminal Solar Facility

Integrating Renewable Energy into an Active Marine Port

The new facility supports both the terminal’s electrical demand and the local grid for the city of Newark.

The 7.2-megawatt (MW) solar generation is divided between 3.8 MW of elevated canopy-mounted arrays over active truck lanes and 3.4 MW of additional rooftop and parking canopy arrays.

Using only 1,500 square feet of ground space, the dual-use design of the photovoltaic (PV) arrays offers no interruption to terminal operations.

The site includes a carport canopy for PNCT’s employee parking lot.

The project supports PNCT’s mission toward a net-zero energy microgrid and PANYNJ’s commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Client/Owner: Standard Solar
Location: Newark, NJ
Services: Engineering, Construction, Environmental
Markets: Energy, Transportation

Site Terminal Operator: Port Newark Container Terminal
Square Footage Occupied: 1,500 SF of ground space
Completed: June 2025
Region: Northeast

Port Newark Container Terminal’s (PNCT) new 7.2-megawatt solar facility was designed to reduce emissions and improve air quality for the East Coast’s busiest and largest port. Completion of the solar project marks PNCT as the only global port to successfully integrate a large-scale solar facility directly into its active operational footprint. The project’s sustainable design contributes to a broader PNCT initiative toward a net-zero energy microgrid and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The solar facility is responsible for 50% of the terminal’s annual electrical power, greatly reducing the demand from the Newark-area electrical grid. The system further promotes clean energy in the surrounding area by feeding any excess power into the local grid. The solar project consists of one roof-mounted and nine carport canopy solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays, allowing for significant solar generation without intruding on terminal operations.

Since the first phase of development began in 2023, the solar energy produced is equivalent to removing 5,801 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the air. In its completion, the facility is estimated to save 8,107 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

As the engineer of record for the solar facility, we were responsible for supporting Standard Solar with adhering to the PANYNJ Tenant Construction and Alteration Process (TCAP) Manual. Our firm provided site/civil engineering, construction inspection, environmental planning, hazardous waste/materials assessments and remediation, permitting and regulatory compliance, and sustainability services.

7.2

megawatt solar facility

14,663

solar PV panels

7.8

acres of elevated solar panel canopies

50%

cut to emissions

Awards

Distinguished Award, 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New Jersey
Gold Award, Energy, 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York
Project Merit: Low-Carbon Energy

Climate Change Business Journal
2024 Editor's Choice Award

Solar Builder Magazine