Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Marlboro, Massachusetts), a U.S. PV producer with a proprietary silicon wafer manufacturing technology, on December 22nd, 2009 announced that its "String Ribbon" solar photovoltaic (PV) panels were chosen for a 525 kilowatt (kW) installation at Patriot Place (Foxborough, Massachusetts), a 1.3-million-square-foot shopping, dining and entertainment complex located adjacent to Gillette Stadium, home of the U.S. football team New England Patriots.

The system is expected to cover approximately 30 % of the power needs of the complex and to supply more than 12 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar electricity over 20 years, thereby eliminating an estimated 8,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year. According to the press release, more than 2,800 of Evergreen Solar's "ES-A" series panels are to be used in the construction, spanning the roofs of seven buildings.

Highly visible solar power project complements environmentally friendly building design

One of the buildings that will house the solar power system is called "The Hall" and panels will be visible to fans who attend games and events at the Gillette Stadium and visitors to Patriot Place's upper retail plaza. "We're thrilled that Patriot Place has chosen Evergreen Solar for this highly-visible solar installation", said Alan King, Director of sales for the Americas. "We feel we align perfectly with the environmental goals of Patriot Place while demonstrating the viability of solar power to the many patrons and fans traveling through this incredible complex." Evergreen Solar reports that Patriot Place was constructed using sustainable design practices, including low-emitting construction materials and white roofs to facilitate heat island reduction. The building complex employs an on-site wastewater re-use system to save water and solar-powered trash receptacles throughout the complex that reduce waste volume and energy consumption. Brian Earley, Patriot Place General Manager, said about the planned solar system: "This project is crucial to Patriot Place's overall sustainability initiatives and we are proud to promote practical and cost-effective commercial applications of solar power." Evergreen Solar reports that the installation is being constructed by Baltimore-based Constellation Energy's Projects & Services Group.

2009-12-31 | Courtesy: Evergreen Solar, Inc. | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH