Solar Knowledge
Photovoltaics, or PV for short, is a Solar Power technology that uses Solar Photvoltaics systems' or Solar cells to provide electricity for human activities. Photovoltaics is also the field of study relating to this technology.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
CS Energy Selected as 2020 S&P Global Platts Global Energy Awards Finalist
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
CS Energy Named One of New Jersey’s Best Places to Work
Ranked 7th in Medium Companies by NJBIZ
Edison, NJ, September 23, 2020 – CS Energy, LLC, a leading integrated energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage and emerging energy industries, has been named one of NJBIZ’s Best Places to Work in New Jersey for 2020. The newspaper ranked CS Energy seventh in the Medium Companies category (50 – 249 employees).
The nominees were selected based on confidential employee surveys. CS Energy’s employees described and rated several factors that ultimately drove the company’s placement on the list, including providing paid time off for volunteer work, allowing flexible work schedules, and offering parental leave for both men and women. Respondents also mentioned enjoying various team-building events that the company sponsors on a regular basis. CS Energy’s focus on safety is a large part of its success, as the company provides safety incentives for going above and beyond in the workplace and includes a full day of safety training during the weeklong employee onboarding process.
“This award came as a result of our staff’s responses,” shared Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “Our employees are the ones who feel that CS Energy is a great place to work, and that makes all of the efforts we put into our programs and initiatives worth it. That’s also what makes this award so important to us: it’s honest, positive feedback from our employees.”
Being named one of New Jersey’s Best Places to Work comes at a time of strategic growth for CS Energy. The company expanded its team by 20 percent in 2019 and plans to continue its growth in 2020 and beyond. The team has completed several major solar projects this year, including the largest solar plant in New Jersey. CS Energy has been adding employees throughout 2020 and is currently hiring in several fields: https://www.csenergy.com/careers/.
While this is CS Energy’s first time being listed by NJBIZ as a top place to work as a standalone company (previously participated as part of The Conti Group), this is not the first time that the firm has received recognition for its employee programs. CS Energy received a Governor’s Certificate for its employee safety record in the Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Awards Program earlier this year, and in 2019 the company received a Division of Public Safety Certificate – Citation of Merit from the State of New Jersey, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, for its accomplishments in the prevention of workplace injury and illness. The final rankings from NJBIZ were announced September 17, 2020. For more information, visit https://njbiz.com/2020s-best-places-work-nj-ranked/.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
CS Energy Receives Major Health and Safety Award
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
CS Energy Achieves 1 Gigawatt Installed of Solar Projects
National EPC energy firm, majority owned by funds managed by Ares Management Corporation, achieved significant milestone in August 2020
Edison, NJ, August 26, 2020 – CS Energy, LLC, a leading integrated energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage and emerging energy industries, announced today that it has reached a major milestone: completing the installation of 1 gigawatt of solar energy projects.
The 1 GW achievement puts CS Energy in a distinguished category. According to Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors* rankings, fewer than 10 EPCs have installed 1 GW of solar as of 2020, but with CS Energy’s consistent 20 percent annual growth rate, the milestone was reached quickly. The company closed 2018 with 650 MW of completed solar projects and ended 2019 with 820 MW. In 2020, CS Energy reached 1,000 MW, despite industry contractions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is an incredible milestone, and one only possible because of the hard work and dedication of our team,” shared Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “I am so proud of our talented workforce, which has completed CS Energy projects to the highest standards of quality and safety across the country. We’re excited to put our deep experience to work for our clients as we begin installing the next gigawatt.”
CS Energy has completed nearly 200 solar projects across 16 states, in a mix of utility-scale solar projects and energy storage projects. Much of the 1 GW has been completed in the last three years as the firm manages increasingly larger projects, such as a recent 29 MW solar project in New Jersey. The growth coincides with funds managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corporation taking majority ownership of the company in 2018.
“We made a strategic investment in CS Energy knowing the firm had the capabilities to expand its impact on renewable energy projects across the country,” shared Keith Derman, Partner and Co-Head of Ares Infrastructure and Power. “We are thrilled that CS Energy has been able to achieve such a substantial milestone and consider it a testament to the company’s legacy of experience and reliability.”
The 1 GW accomplishment comes as CS Energy garners additional recognition from the solar industry. CS Energy was named the nation’s number-one commercial solar installer in 2019 by global research firm Wood Mackenzie. With more than 10 percent of the U.S. market share, CS Energy installed as much as the second- and third-ranked companies combined. In 2020, CS Energy once again made Solar Power World magazine’s annual list of Top Solar Contractors, ranking in the Top 10 for national EPCs, and as the #1 solar contractor in both New York and New Jersey.
Additionally, the company utilizes its expertise to lead a variety of solar industry subsectors. CS Energy is considered an expert in landfill solar installations, having installed more than 160 MW on top of closed capped landfills. CS Energy is also on the forefront of Solar + Storage projects: the company has installed more than 135 MWh of energy storage projects and is ranked as the #2 Solar + Storage installer in the nation by Solar Power World.
Starting with just 12 employees in 2004, the company has grown to a highly skilled team of more than 160 people. CS Energy began in the solar industry as part of The Conti Group, a construction and engineering firm that has been operating for more than 115 years. Building on the organic success in the solar industry, the group branched out into Conti Solar, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Conti Group, in 2017. Conti Solar was majority acquired by funds managed by the Infrastructure and Power strategy of Ares Management Corporation in 2018 the company rebranded as CS Energy.
“CS Energy is thriving from the roots planted at The Conti Group—roots in skilled construction, quality customer service, and an educated leadership group. It’s been a pleasure to see CS Energy deliver on our shared vision of creating a nation-leading integrated energy company,” said Kurt Conti, Chairman of the Board of The Conti Group.
* https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2020-top-solar-contractors/
About CS Energy
CS Energy is an industry-leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in solar, energy storage, and emerging energy industries. CS Energy’s attention to detail, flawless execution and highly talented workforce has enabled the company to successfully design and install over 1 GW of solar projects across the United States. CS Energy leverages strong relationships with solar developers, IPPs, utilities, off-takers, suppliers, and landowners to help our customers streamline the project development process, lower project costs, and create value for all stakeholders. Majority-owned by Ares Infrastructure and Power, CS Energy has an experienced and committed management team and the financial resources required to continue expanding its solar and energy storage business as a trusted and long-term partner.
About Ares Management Corporation
Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager operating integrated businesses across Credit, Private Equity and Real Estate. Ares Management’s investment groups collaborate to deliver innovative investment solutions and consistent and attractive investment returns for fund investors throughout market cycles. Ares Management's global platform had approximately $165 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2020 with more than 1,300 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, pro forma for the acquisition of SSG Capital Holdings Limited which closed on July 1, 2020.
About Ares Infrastructure and Power
Ares Infrastructure and Power (“AIP”) strategy seeks to provide flexible capital for cash-generating assets across the climate infrastructure, natural gas generation, and energy transportation sectors. AIP leverages a broadly skilled and cohesive team of more than 25 investment professionals with deep domain experience and has deployed nearly $9 billion of capital in more than 200 different infrastructure and power assets and companies.
About The Conti Group
The Conti Group is a privately held group of companies spanning the construction, engineering, renewable energy, real estate, technology and biotech markets whose mission is to create positive impact and great value for customers, partners, employees, and society.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
CS Energy Opens Regional Office in New York
Positions company to become largest solar EPC in the state
Albany, NY/Edison, NJ, August 4, 2020– CS Energy, LLC, a leading integrated energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage and emerging energy industries, has opened its first office in New York state. Located in Albany, the regional office is a testament to the firm’s commitment to the New York solar and energy storage markets.
CS Energy is already a leader in New York’s renewable energy industry, with more than 120 megawatts (MW) installed across the state. Recent projects include a 27 MW facility in Dryden, a 24 MW project in Spencer, and an 18 MW project in Norwich. The company expects to be playing a major role in New York’s renewable energy transition and is gearing up to support the massive growth of solar and energy storage installations throughout the state. As the state continues to safely reopen, CS Energy expects to build approximately 130 MW of community solar and large scale solar projects in the state—an ambitious goal strengthened by the central location of the new office.
“We are redoubling our commitment to New York,” said Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “This office will allow us to grow quickly and recruit more local workers. As we aim to be the top solar EPC firm in New York, this new base is a big step in achieving our objective.”
The move also positions CS Energy to help the state with two of its 2030 energy goals: to receive more than 70 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and to develop 3,000 MW of energy storage. CS Energy was recently ranked the #1 solar installation company in New York by Solar Power World.
Establishing the office isn’t the only growth the company is doing in New York: CS Energy will help restart the local economy by increasing its local workforce by more than 300 percent this year. The company has already established relationships with universities and developed internship programs in order to fast track the recruitment process.
“We have a long-term strategy in New York,” Skidmore added. “Every step we’ve taken in the state has been designed to set ourselves up for success over the next decade as we help New York achieve it’s clean energy goals.”
“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York’s renewable energy policies are helping to attract new businesses to the state and proving to be a significant economic driver and job creator across as we work to rebuild our economy,” said Doreen M. Harris, Acting President and CEO, NYSERDA. “Congratulations to CS Energy on the opening of their new office in the Capital Region – a welcomed demonstration of their continued investment in New York and support in the achievement of the Governor’s nation-leading climate and clean energy goals."
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
CS Energy Earns Highest Recognition on 2020 Top Solar Contractors List
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
CS Energy Completes 33 MW Texas Solar Portfolio
Monday, June 29, 2020
Idemitsu Renewables Completes $60 Million Financing for 50 Megawatt Central 40 Solar Project in California
Idemitsu Renewables, the U.S. based renewable energy subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd, is a leading solar and storage developer and IPP. The company acquires, develops, owns, and operates utility-scale solar power generation plants; selling the clean energy to help communities both economically and ecologically live in healthier environments. With offices in California and Nevada, Idemitsu Renewables continues to develop its growing pipeline of energy projects. Learn more at https://idemitsurenewables.com/.
KeyCorp’s (NYSE: KEY) roots trace back 190 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $141.5 billion at March 31, 2019. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of over 1,100 branches and more than 1,500 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit www.key.com. KeyBank is Member of FDIC.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
CS Energy Announces Completion of the Largest Landfill Solar-Plus-Storage Project in Massachusetts
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
CS Energy Named Nation’s Top Commercial Solar Installer
Company has 10 percent of U.S. market share
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
CS Energy Completes Construction of New Jersey’s Largest Solar Plant
This Project provides 28.5MW of clean, renewable energy
Edison, NJ, May 18, 2020 – CS Energy, LLC, a leading integrated energy firm that designs and builds optimized projects in the solar, storage and emerging energy industries, has successfully completed the largest solar project in New Jersey. The project owner, Ben Moreell Solar Farm, LLC and Department of the Navy (DON) executed a lease for approximately 170 acres of underutilized land for the purpose of constructing a 28.5 MW ground-mount project located at Naval Weapons Station Earle (NWS Earle) in Tinton Falls. CS Energy designed, procured and installed the power plant, creating a custom worksite that allowed for a streamlined construction process while still maintaining the base’s high security standards. CS Energy’s team of local workers safely installed an impressive 4,000 solar panels each day at the height of construction. Currently, the second phase of the project is underway. As in-kind consideration, CS Energy will install a separate behind the meter solar system that will connect directly to the NWS Earle utility grid, providing DON with renewable energy to support operations.
As part of the Navy’s energy resiliency initiative, the Ben Moreell Solar Farm on NWS Earle was established. Owned by Vitol Green Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of global energy and commodities company Vitol Holdings B.V., the solar project will be tied directly to the local utility grid. In case of emergency, and with further investment, the clean power plant can be modified to power the base, which has a combined workforce of more than 1,500 civilian, military and contractor personnel.
“With close to 1 GW of solar capacity installed worldwide, CS Energy is a proven partner for delivering solar power projects that maximize use of the terrain while offering high levels of output,” said R. Andrew de Pass, Head of Renewables for Vitol Inc. “Their attention to safety, efficiency and customer service enabled us to deliver the NWS Earle project in record time.”
CS Energy’s efficiency stems in part from its deep experience with designing and building solar and storage projects on U.S. military bases. The NWS Earle plant is one of the firm’s largest; in total, CS Energy has installed more than 80 MW of solar energy projects on U.S. bases across the globe.
“Having access to reliable, sustainable and renewable sources of energy, like solar power, helps our Navy improve our energy security, operational capability, strategic flexibility and resource availabilities,” said Capt. Pierre A. Fuller, Commanding Officer, NWS Earle. “We are equally pleased this is the largest solar project in the state, to date, and it contributes to New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan.”
The Ben Morrell project contributes to New Jersey’s 2020 Energy Master Plan, which aims to garner 100 percent of its energy from renewable, carbon-neutral sources by 2050. The Energy Master Plan is the first of a series of monumental steps to ensure that the state generates and manages its energy supply in a way that is consistent with economic, climate, and societal demands.
“I’m proud of our team for once again safely complying with heightened military regulations and delivering a turnkey solar project,” said Matthew Skidmore, CEO of CS Energy. “We are honored to help the US Navy, Vitol, and our home state of New Jersey increase their use of solar power.”
About CS Energy
CS Energy, LLC (formerly Conti Solar, LLC) is a national EPC, O&M, and energy storage company. CS Energy’s attention to detail, flawless execution and collaborative culture has enabled them to successfully develop and install over 820 MW of solar projects since their early initiatives in 2004. CS Energy’s leverage established partnerships with solar developers, IPPs, utilities, off-takers, suppliers and landowners to streamline project development, design, construction and operations, driving down project costs and creating value across all project stakeholders. Majority-owned by Ares Infrastructure and Power with a minority position retained by The Conti Group, CS Energy is well positioned with a diversified network of industry experts and the financial resources to be a trusted, long-term partner. Visit https://csenergy.com for more information.
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
CS Energy Announces New Website Launch
CS Energy’s new website focuses on the company’s mission to deliver high-value projects to our customers with safety, quality, and certainty at the forefront.
Edison, NJ, May 05, 2020 — CS Energy, a national solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), O&M and energy storage company, recently announced the launch of its newly redesigned website.
The company’s upgraded website offers CS Energy’s customers and partners a clear and comprehensive overview of the company’s service offerings and history as a leading solar and energy storage company. The site also highlights numerous case studies including completed energy storage, landfill, carport, rooftop, and ground-mount solar projects. With this site upgrade visitors are able to experience the sites’ increased functionality, higher performance, and easier navigation with standardized and more interactive page layouts.
“Our primary goal during the redesign process was to ensure our website accurately reflects our brand and our growing leadership within the solar and energy storage markets,” said Kevin Magayah, CS Energy’s Vice President of Business Development. “Through this new website, we can showcase our vast knowledge, experience, and expertise to the solar, storage, and emerging energy industries.”
CS Energy’s new website will be updated regularly with the latest news regarding project launches, key business activities, corporate milestones, awards, and events. Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and reach out to the company for any additional inquires at https://csenergy.com.
About CS Energy
CS Energy, LLC (formerly Conti Solar, LLC) is a national EPC, O&M, and energy storage company. CS Energy’s attention to detail, flawless execution and collaborative culture has enabled them to successfully develop and install over 820 MW of solar projects since their early initiatives in 2004. CS Energy’s leverage established partnerships with solar developers, IPPs, utilities, off-takers, suppliers and landowners to streamline project development, design, construction and operations, driving down project costs and creating value across all project stakeholders. Majority-owned by Ares Infrastructure and Power with a minority position retained by The Conti Group, CS Energy is well positioned with a diversified network of industry experts and the financial resources to be a trusted, long-term partner.