100% Made in MA: Westford Solar Panel Field Will Help The Bay State’s Economy Shine

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner, Mark Sylvia, recently noted that of the $22 billion that the Bay State spends each year on energy about $18 billion leaves the state and the country. Renewable projects, like Westford Solar, can help reduce this trend.

Boston-based private development company, Cathartes Private Investments, and North Andover-based solar technology company, Nexamp, are teaming up to build a $23 million, 22-acre solar panel field in Westford, MA. Using 14,000 solar panels, the Westford Solar field will generate 4.5 megawatts of renewable electricity each year. This is enough electricity to power 600 homes.

Westford Solar is one of many renewable energy projects to emerge as a result of the Massachusetts Green Communities Act, which Governor Deval Patrick signed into law in 2008. However, what distinguishes Westford Solar from other projects is its strict reliance on MA-based companies.

A recent Nexamp press release noted that the developers, financiers, operators, utility partner and end-users of Westford Solar will all be Massachusetts companies.

With job creation on the collective minds of people across the state — and the country — Westford Solar illuminates how local companies and governments can work together to not only reduce our dependency on foreign power sources, but also to give local economies a much-needed boost. As MassDevelopment President and CEO, Marty Jones, recently said of Westford Solar, “By creating more than 50 jobs during construction and operations, this project is a win in sustaining both our economy and our environment.”

Construction on Westford Solar will begin this fall.

Related posts:

1. Massachusetts Extending Solar Hot Water Program to Commercial Buildings
2. Mass. Calls for Improved Clean Energy Connections
3. Boston-based Renewable Energy Co. Making Headway In The Bay State With Its Underwater Turbine
4. Apple passes Exxon as most valuable US company
5. New England Wind Wars: Two Companies Make Plans For Wind Farms Off Massachusetts/Rhode Island Coast

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Posted by erik devaney on Aug 24 2011. Filed under Business, Top Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry