The project is a partnership with Portland-based Gerding Edlen Development, a developer of green projects. The first phase will install 6,288 modules, providing 1.5kwh or the equivalent of powering 137 US homes when it becomes operational in late summer. Phase 2 will add 8,808 modules, producing an 1.5 million kwh (the equivalent of 139 homes) in late fall.

Glimcher has entered into a power purchase agreement with Clean Focus Corp., Sunnyvale, CA, which will own and finance the system, including solar renewable energy credits. The system was financed in part by Public Service Electric & Gas’ Solar Loan Program, which allows qualified customers to finance from 40% to 60% of the total cost of the system.

The system is the solar industry’s first non-penetrating rooftop product, combining the panel frame and mounting system into a single unit. But for all the celebration of the size of the array, Glimcher likely won’t hold the record for long, said John Conley, project development director of SunPower Corp., San Jose, CA, which will install and maintain the array. The cost of solar installations has decreased every year, encouraging more and larger arrays. “We’ll be the largest in North America for a little while,” he said, “as projects get bigger and bigger.”