On October 21st, 2011, the City of New Bedford in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, launched a program to install 10 MW of rooftop and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) plants at multiple sites in the City by 2013.

BlueWave Capital LLC (Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.) and Consolidated Edison Solutions Inc. (Valhalla, New York, U.S.) will develop the PV plants. Alteris Renewables Inc. (Wilton, Connecticut, U.S.) will design and construct a 4 MW ground-mounted PV system as the initial plant in the program.

"This creative solar program will help the people of New Bedford save money while they protect the planet," said New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang. "We will be adding value to our City's facilities and underutilized space by using roofs and unused parcels of land to collect clean and renewable solar power."

"Our ultimate aim is to further the development of renewable energy by building out this precedent-setting program to a full spectrum of private-sector energy consumers."

Program to use U.S.-manufactured PV modules

The PV plants will be located at municipal buildings, schools and selected municipal land parcels, and will exclusively use PV modules manufactured in the United States.

New Bedford officials state that the program will supply 25% of the electricity needs of all city-owned facilities when all PV plants are commissioned.

ConEdison Solutions to finance, install PV plants

ConEdison Solutions will own the PV plants on city sites and will enter into long-term power purchase agreements with the City. The company will be responsible for financing and installation of the PV plants, as well as operations and maintenance once the plants are complete.

BlueWave will also partner with the City of New Bedford in a program to bring third-party financing for solar energy systems to New Bedford businesses and residences.

New Bedford states that BlueWave also work with the city to develop local job and apprenticeship opportunities, the re-use of brownfields and other surplus land, and educational programs in New Bedford schools.

2011-10-26| Courtesy: City of New Bedford | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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