The Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC), the Town of Dennis, Clean Focus and American Capital Energy (ACE) recently dedicated the largest solar development in New England, Cape & Vineyard Solar One — a 22 MW portfolio of solar arrays located on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.
“This milestone solar development is helping to continue to place Massachusetts at the forefront of solar adoption and enabling us to reach our aggressive goal of 1,600 MW of solar installations by 2020,” says Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. “Extending our solar reach will build on our success by creating jobs and economic opportunity in an industry that will last for generations to come.”
Cape & Vineyard Solar One includes CVEC Round 1 PV, plus an additional array in the Town of Dennis. Combined, the energy generated from this solar development will supply 45% of Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard municipal electrical load.
Part of the 22 MW Cape & Vinyard Solar One array in the Town of Dennis.
“CVEC and its member municipalities are thrilled with the installation of these new solar power projects, made possible through the hard work, collaboration, and dedication of CVEC and its member municipalities,” says John Checklick, president of CVEC. “Our outstanding partners, Clean Focus and ACE, have demonstrated significant expertise and skill in deploying these valuable solar assets.”
Clean Focus provided construction and permanent financing, and owns and operates Cape & Vineyard Solar One. ACE is a Massachusetts company that was selected as the project developer and builder through a competitive bidding process; local labor was hired for construction.
“We are very proud that with Cape & Vineyard Solar One, Clean Focus is now the largest owner and operator of solar on landfills in the U.S.,” says Stanley Chin, president and CEO of Clean Focus. “It was terrific partnering with this exceptional team of professionals to bring clean, reliable and renewable solar electricity to Massachusetts — contributing to the health and vibrancy of this region.”
The Cape & Vineyard Solar One dedication. From left to right: John Checklick (CVEC), Stanley Chin (Clean Focus), Paul McCormick (Town of Dennis), Meg Lusardi (Massachusetts DOER), Cong. Bill Keating, US EPA Curt Spalding (Region 1 Administrator), Tom Hunton (ACE)
“With this project, American Capital Energy has been able to flex its experience in developing, designing and constructing solar arrays on landfills and other brownfield sites; it’s wonderful to produce clean energy at locations that would otherwise remain unused,” says Tom Hunton, president & CEO of ACE.
These projects will greatly reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions—the equivalent of removing more than 2,700 passenger vehicles from the road. Of the nine solar arrays, seven are sited on capped landfills in the towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich and Tisbury. Two solar arrays are sited on other land in the town of Edgartown.
Here’s a look at what else is happening around Massachusetts:
SunEdison Purchases 50MW, Largest In Massachusetts History
SolarCity Expands Massachusetts Operations to North Shore
Empower Energies Completes 3.7 MW Array In Massachusetts
Massachusetts Boy Scouts Go Solar