Signifying its entry into the Massachusetts market, Clean Energy Collective
(CEC), a community-owned solar developer, purchased two medium scale solar projects from Massachusetts-based BlueWave Capital, a Massachusetts-based solar developer. These acquisitions will make solar available to a wide range of residential and commercial customers in the Western Massachusetts Electric (WMECo) and National Grid territories, and are the first of a broader expansion plan to make community-owned solar available across the state of Massachusetts.
The initial projects include a 997 kW community solar facility in Hadley, Mass., named the Western Massachusetts Community Solar Array, to serve WMECo customers; and a 997 kW facility in Rehoboth, Mass. called the Southeastern Massachusetts Community Solar Array to serve ratepayers in the NGrid territory. WMECo is one of western Massachusetts largest distributors of electricity, serving more than 200,000 customers in 59 communities. National Grid, the state’s second largest utility, delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.
“We are thrilled to help CEC, the nation’s leading community solar company, get off to a flying start here in the Commonwealth and we look forward to working with them to advance the cause on these and other projects in the BlueWave portfolio,” said BlueWave Managing Principal John DeVillars. “If you live in Massachusetts and want to do something to combat climate change, CEC offers a simple, cost-effective way to make a difference and save money on your electric bill at the same time.”
CEC’s community-owned solar model allows any customer in a participating utility territory, including renters, those with shaded roofs, and people with modest incomes, the opportunity to ‘go green’ and save money by adopting solar energy without having to install a rooftop system on their home or business. Community solar customers are afforded the same rebates and incentives as rooftop system owners, including Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) rebates, and receive credit for the power produced directly on their monthly bills. Since community solar projects are sited and maintained for maximum production and lifespan, they produce more electricity for longer than most other renewable energy options.
“With so many historic and shaded properties throughout the state, the community solar model is ideally suited for the Massachusetts market. It opens the solar option to a much wider range of customers,” said CEC President Paul Spencer.
Construction on both projects is underway and are expected to be operational by late June. Fully refundable reservations are being accepted now for both arrays. Individual or commercial systems can be scaled to meet any budget or power requirements. More information can be found at www.masscommunitysolar.com or upon request at info@masscommunitysolar.com.