Ameresco to develop community solar projects in Massachusetts

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Ameresco’s portfolio of community solar projects in Wayland will help offset 25% of the town’s municipal electric needs. Image: Ameresco

Renewable energy service provider Ameresco is playing a large part in bringing community solar to two towns in Massachusetts.

The company announced Monday that it has completed a four-project pipeline of community solar installations in Wayland, while also unveiling plans to develop a 2.4MW facility in Sturbridge.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Wayland’s solar arrays are made up of 4,214 PV panels totaling 1.2MW, and are expected to generate over 1.5 million kWh of renewable electricity per year.

Collectively, three solar canopies developed at Wayland’s high school, middle school and town building — as well as a rooftop project at the Department of Public Works building  — are projected to generate enough electricity to offset 25% of the town’s municipal electric needs and net an annual financial savings of over US$100,000.

Dan Knapik, director of the green communities division at the Department of Energy Resources, said: “With the passage of the Green Communities Act of 2008, the Commonwealth established an opportunity for municipalities to blaze a new path in the clean energy field. Wayland was one of our earliest designations as a Green Community and I am pleased to see the town utilize the powerful opportunity provided by an energy management services program.”

Ameresco’s solar project in Sturbridge is slated to be completed and operational by early 2017. The 2.4MW installation will help provide renewable energy to Sturbridge and cut down on energy costs.

The 20-year power purchase agreement tied into the site is expected to generate millions of dollars in savings. Under the PPA, 50% of the annual electricity generated from the project will be used by the town as net metering credits, while the other half will be used by the Community Solar Program to deliver green energy to residents in the area.

 Michael T. Bakas, senior vice president, Ameresco, said: “It’s a pleasure for Ameresco to partner with the town of Sturbridge and the greater community to build and manage this new renewable energy project. We commend town leadership for being fiscally prudent in selecting a project that will generate long-term savings and admire the community’s commitment to sustainability.”

Read Next

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
March 19, 2024
Texas, USA
Solar Media Events
March 26, 2024
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
April 10, 2024
Dallas, Texas USA