Camden Diocese wants solar panels on Cherry Hill site

The Diocese of Camden has entered into an agreement with a developer to install solar panels on "a major piece" of more than 30 acres of woods behind St. Mary's Catholic Home, off Springdale and Kresson Roads in Cherry Hill.

Under the agreement - subject to approval from the township - the diocese would lease land to KDC Solar of Bedminster, N.J., to develop a solar project on wooded land to the rear of the nursing home on St. Mary's Drive.

The proposed project drew a cautionary note from a township spokeswoman, who said the potential loss of unbuilt space was likely to draw extra scrutiny.

The diocese also agreed to buy power from KDC Solar, which would install, own, and maintain the project, said Larry Reader, director of temporal services for the diocese.

He did not provide details about the agreements, including how much money the diocese would save by buying solar energy. But he said, "It is a lot cheaper through the solar panels to produce electricity than it would be buying through PSE&G."

The project is still being designed, including aspects such as how many panels would be installed and how much power would be generated, Reader said.

But it would supply power to the home, St. Thomas More parish, senior housing, and several residences for retired priests, he said.

The project would be limited to supplying power to the St. Mary's buildings and possibly one building that is not owned by the diocese, Reader said.

"They can produce up to 100 percent of the need of the entity they're contracting with," Reader said. "They can't provide solar to half of Cherry Hill."

A representative of KDC did not return messages seeking comment.

The project would require clearing a significant portion of the 30 to 40 acres of woods behind the St. Mary's campus, he said.

"It would be a major piece," Reader said.

Since no plan has been submitted, the township has not taken a stance on the project, spokeswoman Bridget Palmer said.

But "a discussion about any kind of development on a larger parcel of woodlands is certainly something we would take an extra look at," Palmer said.

She said Mayor Chuck Cahn was aware of the project and "has made no secret that he certainly is committed to preserving any open space that exists."

Asked how the diocese planned to address concerns about losing open space, Reader said that conversation would take place before the planning board.

"We always want to be good neighbors," he said. "Hopefully we can get something everybody can walk away from that everybody's happy."

Reader said the diocese had been considering the project for a year. Solar facilities already exist at Our Lady of Hope in Blackwood and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Galloway, and "we're looking at providing it for as many parishes that want it."

The diocese considered a number of developers before deciding to work with KDC, Reader said. He said the diocese's lease and power-purchase agreements with the company were contingent on the township's approval.

If the approved project is not substantial enough, it might not make sense for the diocese to pursue, Reader added.

"At a certain point it might not be beneficial for us if they don't produce enough to supply for all the entities back there," he said.

Reader said he expected to see the project go before the planning board in the next few months.