Five solar projects, totalling five megawatts (MW), have won the pre-approval of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to be built by National Grid. Once complete, they will be the five largest solar sites in the region.

The projects fall under the auspices of the state’s Green Communities Act, which allows electric utilities to construct, own and operate up to 50 MW of solar generation. “We’re thrilled,” says Ed White, Acting Vice President, Renewables. “This will take us a bit closer to a greener future where we use cleaner electric power to mitigate the effects of global climate change.”

Field work has begun at four of the five sites. The first site is expected to be complete by early spring, while the rest of the projects are set to begin in the late winter, with the goal of being up and running by next summer. At that time, they will generate enough electricity to power about 1,000 homes for one year and some 2,700 tonnes less CO2 each year when compared to conventional, fossil-fuelled generation. The company estimates that designing and building the five new solar sites will cost about £45 million.

“We anticipate the projects will cost Massachusetts residential customers about six cents (4p) a month, averaged over the life of the project,” adds Ed. “Proceeds from the energy sales, renewable energy certificates, or any environmental benefits in the future, will be credited to customers and offset the full cost of the installations.”