Monday, October 6, 2014

Solar Energy Expands On Cape, Vineyard

The last section of one of New England’s largest solar developments was connected to the power grid this week, completing a project that will produce enough electricity to power more than 3,500 homes.

The solar panel arrays were built on a former landfill site in Chatham, one of nine sites developed to supply solar power to six towns on Cape Cod and two on Martha’s Vineyard. The arrays were connected to the power grid at various points over the past few months.

Solar power currently generates around 2 percent of the region’s electricity. More than 197 megawatts of solar power were installed in Massachusetts in the first eight months of 2014, compared to 227 megawatts installed in all of 2013, according to the state Department of Energy Resources.

“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,” Governor Deval Patrick said in a statement. Last year, the Patrick administration set a goal of having 1,600 megawatts of solar panels installed in Massachusetts by 2020.

Source: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/09/30/solar-energy-expands-cape-vineyard/voKl7hJn9mXaKnggSLxe9M/story.html

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