On 30 September the Cape & Vineyard Electric Cooperative (CVEC), the Town of Dennis, Clean Focus and American Capital Energy dedicated the largest solar development in New England, Cape & Vineyard Solar One — a 22MW portfolio of solar arrays located on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.
Cape and 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.
“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,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who was on hand for the official dedication. “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.”
Curt Spalding, regional administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s New England office, was also in attendance. He said EPA has worked to encourage the installation of renewable energy sources, such as solar farms, on contaminated sites and landfills. These locations, he noted, can be ideal sites for clean energy uses that reduce greenhouse gases and provide clean, renewable energy for the local community. "Installing these solar arrays will also help the Commonwealth meet its Clean Power targets in the future," Spalding said. " I am proud that New England is a leader in solar deployment."
Stanley Chin, president and CEO of Clean Focus, also expressed pride in his company's role in the project, adding that Clean Focus is now the largest owner/operator of solar on landfills in the US. (Clean Focus provided construction and permanent financing, and owns and operates Cape & Vineyard Solar One.)
“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," Chin stated.
John Checklick, president of CVEC, was similarly thrilled with the installation of these new solar power projects, made possible, he noted, through the hard work, collaboration, and dedication of CVEC and its member municipalities. "Our outstanding partners, Clean Focus and American Capital Energy, have demonstrated significant expertise and skill in deploying these valuable solar assets."
According to the developers, 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.