Brockton Mayor James E. Harrington signed the contract with Global Solar
Energy for the company to take the lead on the project. "Brockton is very
fortunate to be able to redevelop an idle brownfield into a solar 'Brightfield'
that generates emission-free solar energy," Harrington said. "The Global
Solar team gave Brockton a compelling and cost-effective proposal, and we
are eager to work with them to move the project forward."
Global Solar Energy and its partners will design, install, operate and
maintain a 425 kW DCSTC [Defense Communication Station Technical Control]
photovoltaic system. The system will use 1,395 ASE300 (310 kW) modules
from Schott Solar, which could generate more than 535 MWh of electricity
the first year. This is enough to power City Hall and a fraction of the
police station load. Using clean, renewable energy reduces emissions of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
The Brockton City Council voted on March 13, to authorize the Mayor to
sign the contract. The project has a budget of $3.037 million, which will
be paid through $2.1 million in city funds and grant funds from the
Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust and the US Department of Energy. The
project design will commence immediately -- site preparation will begin in
April and system installation will begin in May.
"The Renewable Energy Trust is proud to work in partnership with the city
of Brockton and its new Mayor Jim Harrington to develop the largest solar
installation in New England," said Trust Director Warren Leon. "The City's
execution of this contract represents another important milestone for a
project that will generate clean electricity, help educate people about
the need for alternative energy sources and stand as a symbol of what is
possible when leaders from the public and private sectors work together
toward a cleaner energy future for Massachusetts."
Global Solar Energy assembled a team that includes equipment
manufacturers' Schott Solar modules, Satcon Technology power conversion
systems, and Fat Spaniel Technologies data acquisition systems. Landerholm
Electric Company, a Brockton-based company, will perform installation,
security, and operations and maintenance services. J. Derenzo Company and
Coler & Colantonio will provide additional site preparation and
engineering services.
Bay State Gas Company, the property owner, is contributing to the project
through its clean up activities, land acquisition, and by adding
attractive landscaping and fencing around the property. The company will
lease the property to the City for 30 years.
"It is so gratifying to see this project finally coming to fruition after
five years of feasibility studies, legislative approvals, financing, and
contract negotiations," said Brownfields Coordinator Lori Colombo. "This
particular neighborhood truly deserves an environmentally benign
development considering some of the environmental burdens it has
experienced."
Using electricity generated by Brockton's Brightfield will avoid the
emission of about 595,300 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. That is the
equivalent of taking 45 cars off the road, or the amount of carbon dioxide
that would be absorbed by planting 89 acres of trees. Brockton's project
also avoids emissions of other greenhouse gases -- about 1,000 pounds of
sulfur dioxide and 370 pounds of nitrogen oxide per year.
