The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in partnership with Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) and the city of Newark, has completed a 7.2 megawatt solar installation at the terminal. The project now supplies approximately 50 percent of PNCT’s annual energy needs and includes the ability to feed excess power into the regional utility grid, providing renewable energy to nearby communities in Newark.

The $35 million project features a dual-use canopy design that maximizes energy generation with minimal ground disruption. The system generates power from:

  • Five elevated solar arrays over truck lanes (3.8 megawatts)

  • Additional canopies over parking areas and rooftop installations (3.4 megawatts)

The entire system spans 7.8 acres while occupying just 0.04 acres of ground space, ensuring no interruption to ongoing terminal operations during construction. The facility also includes a lab for real-time testing of filtration media and energy optimization. PNCT maintains a live monitoring dashboard to track system performance.

The project supports the Port Authority’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050 and is a cornerstone of PNCT’s effort to develop a self-sustaining microgrid. The solar installation is complemented by other clean energy investments, including LED lighting, hybrid straddle carriers, electric cranes, and propane-powered yard tractors.

Since its phased commissioning began in 2023, the system has offset approximately 5,801 metric tons of CO₂—equivalent to planting more than 150,000 trees. The project also received the Solar Builder Project of the Year Editor’s Choice award for innovative execution in a complex port environment.

This solar project aligns with broader sustainability efforts at the Port of New York and New Jersey, including:

  • The Truck Replacement Program, which incentivizes the adoption of cleaner truck models

  • The Clean Vessel Incentive, rewarding ocean carriers for slow steaming near port areas

  • Transitioning cargo-handling equipment to zero-emission models

  • Expansion of the ExpressRail on-dock rail system to reduce truck traffic

The Port of New York and New Jersey has reduced sulfur dioxide emissions by 98 percent and nitrogen oxides and particulate matter by over 70 percent since 2006, even as cargo volumes have increased nearly 60 percent.