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Solar Power Generation Project
Eversource directly contributes to Massachusetts' goal to have 15 percent renewable energy installed by 2020.
Our solar program focuses on developing large-scale solar facilities on sites that offer economies of scale and cost-effective energy production. The capacity from these facilities also represents a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Eversource has allocated $146.3 million of green bond proceeds to the construction of 19 photovoltaic solar generation sites in cities and towns across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These sites represent 62 megawatts (MW) of total capacity. More information about the sites is available below.
In December 2016, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) approved a proposal for Eversource to own, construct and operate up to 70 MW of solar generation facilities.
Along with the significant environmental benefits, there are substantial cost-saving benefits for Eversource customers in Massachusetts. The company estimates it will produce solar power for about 18 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), compared to upwards of 50 cents per kWh for some private projects currently operating within the Commonwealth.
In addition to the Eversource owned and operated 8 MW solar generation facilities constructed from 2010 through 2014, the company completed construction of an additional 62 MW of solar capacity in Massachusetts in 2018.
These additional 62 MW facilities are estimated to save nearly 32,000 metric tons of carbon per year. One of the sites developed by Eversource was a landfill and environmentally-challenged site, which had few, very restricted alternative uses.
In total, Eversource now owns and operates 22 solar generation facilities across Massachusetts. Eversource will sell the solar energy it produces directly into the regional energy market managed by ISO New England and customers will benefit from the proceeds.
Additionally, the company will receive Renewable Energy Credits for the power it produces and will pass the savings along to customers through electricity rates.
The total amount of solar electricity Eversource will be capable of generating will be enough to power more than 11,000 homes, avoiding nearly 36,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per year. Our total solar generation portfolio will represent the equivalent to taking 7,600 cars off the road per year.
Solar Generation Facilities
The table below provides a breakdown of the 19 solar generation site locations for 62 MW of total capacity that are associated with this green bond issuance.
Location | MW (dc) | Metric Tons of Carbon Saved Per Year | Equivalent # of Cars Taken Off The Road Per Year | Equivalent # of Homes Powered Per Year | In-Service Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
East Longmeadow | 7.01 | 3,596 | 765 | 1,150 | June 2019 |
East Springfield | 1.86 | 954 | 203 | 305 | June 2018 |
Greenfield | 2.80 | 1,436 | 306 | 459 | December 2018 |
Hampden | 4.89 | 2,508 | 534 | 802 | June 2019 |
Hatfield | 4.76 | 2,442 | 520 | 781 | June 2018 |
Hinsdale | 2.75 | 1,411 | 300 | 451 | December 2018 |
Lee | 2.30 | 1,180 | 251 | 377 | June 2018 |
Ludlow | 2.13 | 1,093 | 232 | 349 | May 2018 |
Montague | 4.99 | 2,560 | 545 | 818 | June 2018 |
New Bedford | 1.22 | 626 | 133 | 200 | June 2018 |
Pittsfield | 1.53 | 785 | 167 | 251 | June 2018 |
Plymouth | 1.37 | 703 | 150 | 225 | June 2018 |
Savoy | 2.80 | 1,436 | 306 | 459 | December 2018 |
Southampton | 2.80 | 1,436 | 306 | 459 | October 2018 |
Southwick | 6.63 | 3,401 | 724 | 1,087 | June 2018 |
Springfield | 5.62 | 2,883 | 613 | 922 | November 2018 |
Sunderland | 1.35 | 693 | 147 | 221 | June 2018 |
Wareham | 4.83 | 2,478 | 527 | 792 | December 2018 |
Westwood | 0.36 | 185 | 39 | 59 | October 2018 |
Total | 62.00 | 31,806 | 6,768 | 10,167 | |
Sites Built Prior to 62 MW Program | |||||
Pittsfield - Silver Lake | 1.80 | 923 | 196 | 295 | November 2010 |
Springfield - Cottage Street | 3.89 | 1,995 | 425 | 638 | May 2014 |
Springfield - Indian Orchard | 2.32 | 1,190 | 253 | 380 | December 2011 |
Total | 8.01 | 4,108 | 874 | 1,313 | |
Combined Total | 70.01 | 35,914 | 7,642 | 11,480 |